Since the perception of its European dimension in the early 20th century, the Bell Beaker phenomenon has been questioned about the mechanisms of its large diffusion. Archaeological data show that there are several ways to be Bell Beaker at the European scale: some items are essentially maritime in distribution, while others are continental. Beyond material culture, this conference aims to examine the diversity of lifestyles in Bell Beaker societies and the nature of the ties that bind them together. The ways of being in the world can be questioned and put into perspective on the basis of material culture, ecofacts, the nature and organisation of sites and their setting in the landscape to better understand the lives of Bell Beaker populations. How did they live on a daily basis, at the level of the settlement, the territory or the region? Were there differences between the coast, the plains and the more mountainous areas? These questions about lifestyles are essential in order to understand the relationships forged between the communities living in these different environments, whether or not they were carriers of the Bell Beaker culture: what was the purpose of these networks? how did people move? and why? In recent years, the focus has been on genetic flows and migrations, and these data prompt to examine the link between culture and biology, as well as models for the spread of the Bell Beaker culture.

Two thematic sessions will be devoted, one to lifestyles and settlement patterns, the other to networks and spreading models, with an emphasis on summary presentations and exemplary case studies.
A third session will be dedicated to recent discoveries and current research.

Olivier Agogué (Musée de Préhistoire de Carnac, UMR 6566 CReAAH)

Francis Bordas (Ministère de la Culture, UMR 5608 Traces)

Sylvie Boulud-Gazo (Univ. Nantes, UMR 6566 CReAAH)

Quentin Favrel (Eveha, UMR 8215 Trajectoires),

Olivier Lemercier (Univ. Montpellier Paul Valéry, UMR 5140 ASM)

Christophe Le Pennec (Musée d’Histoire et d’Archéologie de Vannes)

Muriel Mélin (Conseil départemental du Morbihan, UMR 6566 CReAAH)

Clément Nicolas (CNRS, UMR 8215 Trajectoires)

Théophane Nicolas (Inrap, UMR 8215 Trajectoires)

Bénédicte Quilliec (Ministère de la Culture, UMR 8215 Trajectoires)