Oeschger Center for Climate Change Research

"Swiss lake-side settlements dating between 4300 and 800 BC were first recognized in the early 19th century and boomed between 1854 and 1880 due to the first scientific studies and the artificial lowering of lakes in Western Switzerland. In the 20th century underwater and wetland archaeology had an enormous surge when large rescue excavations, due to extensive motorway construction projects evolved parallel with modern IT technology in the 1970s. Huge quantities of ancient wooden structures could, for the first time, be dated by dendrochronology. This produced a quantum leap in the 150 years of pile-dwelling research. The outstanding universal value of these sites was recognizes in 2011 by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee.
This joint lecture about Swiss pile-dwellings of the Neolithic and the Bronze Age will present two recent diploma works as example of research and cooperation between universities and government agencies for cultural heritage management.  The pile dwelling settlement of Sutz-Lattringen Hauptstation innen (BE) was built between 3638-3566 BC in the bay of Lattrigen at Lake Bienne. The village contains only one occupation layer. Most of the finds belong to the late “Cortaillod Culture”, which is characteristic of the region and time. Further some foreign pottery suggests links to the middle Neolithic of eastern France (Néolithique Moyen Bourguignon). Comparisons of finds from precise dated pile dwelling settlements show the foreign impacts, the chronological positioning and development of the material culture as well as connections between different regions.
The bog settlement of Seedorf-Lobsigesee (BE) is located on a former peninsula at Lake Lobsigen, only 13 km south of the Neolithic dwellings of Lake Bienne. Its stratigraphic sequence contains three settlement phases whose cultural layers date from about 3900-3700 BC. Remains of house floors built directly on the ground and hearths have been found. The material culture can be attributed to the early and middle “Cortaillod Culture”. However, some elements show ties to Alpine regions in Switzerland an northern Italy, as also eastern and south-eastern France.
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This paper offers a detailed summary of the state of Early Bronze Age research in western Switzerland between the Jura Mountains and the Alps and introduces important grave, hoard and settlement finds (pile dwellings). During the Early Bronze Age an elite takes shape in western Switzerland, which is to be seen in connection with the development of metallurgy and the exploitation of local ore deposits, and which uses trans-European prestige objects as a burial characteristics. The three phases of the Aare Rhône group (pre-phase = Bz A1; classic phase = Bz A2 early; late and final stage = Bz A2 late/Bz B1) are discussed.
1. In the pre-phase, the time between 22oo and 2ooo BC, metal finds like oar-headed pins and daggers remain scarce.
2. Only in the classic phase between 2ooo and 175o BC a hierarchization of society and gender distinctions can be
recognized from rich grave goods like Thun-Renzenbühl. A
spatial extension of the Aare Rhône group can be determined, which is confirmed by felling dates from lakeside settlements. Considerably more graves occur; the first hoard finds – mostly axes of the Neyruz type and loopended neck rings – are deposited at this time.
3. The Aare Rhône group reaches its greatest extent, which
includes the lake district in the Swiss midlands, in the late
and final stage between 175o and 15oo BC. The furthermore
gender-specific grave assemblages show with males
contacts to Central Europe while women’s jewellery is made
of metal occurring locally. The phenomenon of exceptionally
well equipped graves of young men is striking. It is discussed
whether these are »young leaders« or assemblages
of prosperous families. New are extensive hoards of weapons.