Prehistoric pile dwellings around the Alps

The prehistoric pile dwellings around the Alps are archaeological sites along Alpine lakes spanning multiple countries, preserving remains of ancient settlements. At these locations, well-preserved remains of structures, tools, and domestic objects lie buried in the soil and underwater, where specialists carefully study them.

These settlements developed between 5000 and 500 BCE, when early farmers established themselves at the lakes and built their homes on wooden posts. Proximity to water offered protection from danger, enabled fishing, and provided access to fertile soil in the valley lowlands.

The names of the lakes and surrounding villages often derive from these ancient settlements that once thrived along the water. Museums and open-air exhibits today help visitors understand how these early communities organized their lives and work.

The sites are distributed across six countries, so advance planning helps you choose a region to visit that suits your travel route. Many museums near the lakes display findings and explain excavations, while some locations feature reconstructions of the ancient dwellings.

The wet underwater environment has preserved organic materials like wood, textiles, and plant remains in exceptional condition, something rarely found elsewhere. These findings allow researchers to understand exact details about ancient craftsmanship and eating habits, as if looking directly into the daily life of the past.