Wädenswil–Vorder Au, Prehistoric pile dwelling site near Lake Zurich, Switzerland
Wadenswil-Vorder Au is an archaeological site containing submerged prehistoric wooden structures beneath Lake Zurich's surface. The remains lie several meters deep and remain invisible from above, but excavations have recovered artifacts spanning multiple time periods.
This location documents how people lived by the lake during the Stone Age and how their way of life shifted across centuries. The different layers of finds record a transition between two major prehistoric cultural periods.
The artifacts found here show how prehistoric communities connected with one another and shared similar craft traditions. Different groups exchanged goods and ideas across considerable distances, visible through the pottery and objects they left behind.
The site lies underwater and is not accessible to regular visitors, though you can visit the lake shore nearby and imagine what once existed there. Museums in the area provide detailed information for those interested in learning more.
Flooded prehistoric settlements are found around the Alps, but the wet environment at this location has preserved organic materials like wood in remarkable condition. This makes the discoveries here exceptionally valuable for understanding ancient life.
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