3. Urnfield Culture was the prototype for Celtic Culture.
Urnfield culture was the first European culture to display unique features later associated with the Celts. Arising in eastern Europe around 1200 BC, Urnfield culture derived its name from its distinct practice of burying the dead in flat pottery urns. Urnfield Culture also displayed innovative metalwork which allowed its people to forge innovative bronze weapons. Urnfield weapons were unique and more efficient — such as the slashing sword with an easy-grip hilt which arose at this time. A warrior class developed, and Urnfield Culture began to press westwards, into central and western Europe — into the lands later dominated by the Celts. There, Urnfield culture laid the foundations for Celtic society. It developed fortified settlements rather like Celtic hillforts, and experts believe that its people spoke of an early form of the Celtic language.