Wauwilermoos pile dwelling settlement

The Wauwilermoos settlement is an archaeological site containing remains of wooden houses built thousands of years ago on wet marshy ground. The structures reveal how people used pile-building techniques to create stable living spaces in waterlogged areas.

The settlement was founded around 4500 BCE during the Neolithic when people lived permanently by the lakeshore. It marks one of the early moments when farming societies became settled in Europe.

The settlement demonstrates how early farming communities built their homes directly at the water's edge and organized their daily life around the lake. Finds suggest these people already practiced specialized crafts and traded with distant groups.

The area lies within a protected zone accessible from multiple entry points across three municipalities in Canton Lucerne. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear since the ground in this region is often wet and soft.

The ground remained permanently waterlogged during excavations, preserving organic materials like wood and fabrics for thousands of years. This makes the site a rare window into everyday ancient life.

Location: Egolzwil

Location: Wauwil

Location: Schötz

Inception: 45 century BCE

Part of: prehistoric pile dwellings around the Alps

Website: http://palafittes.org/en

GPS coordinates: 47.18290,8.01649

Latest update: December 9, 2025 20:21