The Lake-Dwellings of Europe: Being the Rhind Lectures in Archæology for 1888Munro, Robert
History
The Lake-Dwellings of Europe: Being the Rhind Lectures in Archæology for 1888
Munro, Robert
Lake-dwellers and lake-dwellings -- Bibliography; Lake-dwellers and lake-dwellings -- Europe
One of the greatest drawbacks to outsiders who wish to master the
archæological results of the Swiss lacustrine investigations is
the want of a correct map showing the area and distribution of the
respective stations; and if this desideratum is ever to be supplied
for those lakes that have come under the influence of the Correction
des Eaux du Jura, there is no time to lose, as most of the stations
are now on dry land and nearly obliterated by vegetation; and it is a
work that can only be done by local archæologists, like the Messrs.
Borel, who for years have had practical knowledge of the stations in
their neighbourhood.
The accompanying Sketch Map (after that of Messrs. Borel) shows
that, while the foundations of the two Bronze Age stations are still
in the lake, all those of the Stone Age are entirely on dry land.
This distinction was long ago pointed out by Desor and others, but
it was only since the lowering of the lake that such a practical
demonstration became possible.
The Messrs. Borel premise their acquiescence in the proposed
subdivision of the lacustrine Stone Age into three periods, viz. a
first or early period ("période d'établissement et de formation"),
characterised by rudeness and simplicity of industrial remains;
a second ("le bel âge de la pierre"), showing commercial and
agricultural progress, and especially great skill in the manufacture
of all manner of stone celts; and a third ("une période de
transition"), which witnessed the introduction of metals among the
lake-dwellers.
[Illustration: Sketch Map of the shore of Lake Neuchâtel, near Bevaix,
showing the relative positions of the stations of the Stone and Bronze
periods.]
Typical examples of all these periods were found on the Bevaix
district, as will be seen from the following notes, taken chiefly from
the data supplied by the Messrs. Borel:--
(1) _Station de la Tuilière._--This settlement belonged to the
earliest lacustrine period, and, being much exposed to the winds,
appears to have been quickly abandoned. The piles are much decayed
and difficult to find, and the relics are few in number, and of a
primitive type. Only rude stone axes, a few weights, and flints of a
dark colour, are recorded.
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