What?
Copper alloy (poured, hammered)
When?
Late Bronze Age - 1400 B.C. to 800 B.C. (from 1400 B.C. to 800 B.C.)
Where?
Europe / France / Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes / Isère department / La Côte-Saint-André
History of the work
This cart was accidentally unearthed in 1888 in a field near La Côte-Saint-André (Isère department), southeast of Lyon. The wheels date from the late Bronze Age, ca. 800 B.C., while the bucket carried in the cart is more recent. It was probably imported from North Italy around 600 B.C.
A cart for a special purpose
It is thought that this cart was used for festivities or religious ceremonies. The large bronze recipient might have contained water for purification rituals or alcoholic drinks (beer or wine) to be served during festivities and banquets.