Das Wandern ist des Hirten Lust! Der osteuropäische Steppenraum in der Diskussion um die Ausbreitung der indogermanischen Grundsprache

Abstract

In this article, I undertake a critical appraisal of the search (primarily in ancient studies) for a center of Proto-Indo-European and its spread. I limit myself to the interpretations in which the Eastern European steppe has been identified as the area of origin. The historiography can be divided into four phases. The discussions were informed by three constants at all times: the spread of the basic language by large population movements, the dominance of the migrating groups, and an increased disposition for migration because of the mobile lifestyle of the speakers of Proto-Indo-European. These constants have so far been questioned only rarely, a deficit that I seek to address in this article.

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