The Catacomb culture, ca.

2800-2200 BCE, refers to an early Bronze Age culture occupying essentially what is present-day Ukraine.

It is seen as more of as a regional term to cover several smaller related archaeological cultures.The culture is the first to introduce corded pottery decorations into the steppes and shows a profuse use of the polished battle ax, providing a link to the West.

Parallels with the Afanasevo culture, including provoked cranial deformations, provide a link to the East.

It was preceded by the Yamna culture and succeeded by the western Corded Ware culture.

The Catacomb culture in the Pontic steppe is succeeded by the Srbna culture from aroundthe 17th century BC.