| Small Village of Neolithic Lake-Dwellers |
| www.studenthandouts.com > World History > Neolithic Revolution > Neolithic Maps and Pictures |
A small village of lake dwellers, restoration. The causeway in the foreground, broken by movable bridges, connected the village with the land. This restoration represents a home of the later lake dwellers. Villages such as this were found at various locations throughout northern Europe from prehistoric times through the Middle Ages.Lake dwellings (in German, Pfahlbauten, meaning “pile structures”) were found throughout Europe, particularly in France, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland. The homes were not built directly in lakes, but in the swampy areas at the edges of lakes. Click here to enlarge. The prehistoric lake-dwellers of Europe, particularly from the Neolithic and Bronze Age (c. 5000-500 B.C.E.), have long fascinated archaeologists and inspired myths. These communities built stilt houses over lakes and wetlands, leaving behind well-preserved artifacts in waterlogged conditions—a boon for modern research. Truths: Excavations at sites like Switzerland's Lake Zurich and Italy's Pile Dwelling of Fiavé confirm that these settlements were practical, offering protection from predators and enemies while enabling access to fish and fertile land. Archaeologists have recovered tools, textiles, and even food remains, proving these were year-round villages, not temporary shelters. The lake-dwellers farmed, raised livestock, and traded widely, as seen in foreign materials like Alpine jade and Baltic amber. Myths: Early 19th-century scholars romanticized lake-dwellers as a peaceful, isolated people, but evidence of weapons and fortifications suggests conflict. Another myth claims they lived entirely on water, yet many houses were near shorelines, not deep lakes. Some folklore even linked these sites to legendary sunken cities, exaggerating their scale and mystery. While lake-dwellers were indeed innovative builders and farmers, modern archaeology dispels old fantasies, revealing a complex society adapting ingeniously to their environment. |
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| www.studenthandouts.com > World History > Neolithic Revolution > Neolithic Maps and Pictures |
