This paper on the absolute chronology of the Early Bronze Age in Central Europe is based on the available dates that have to be critically examined, with all the risks and limitations arising from their acquisition and evaluation. The different beginning of the Early Bronze Age in the Carpathian Basin (except for Slovakia) and in the Balkans does not find support either at the social, economic or super structural level, or in the new finds of tin bronze artefacts. The attempts to create a fine absolute chronology based on graves with various types of pins are tentative and point to the limitations of present day dating methods.