Sito palafitticolo San Sivino-Gabbiano, archaeological site in Manerba del Garda, Italy
The Sito palafitticolo San Sivino-Gabbiano is an archaeological site with remains of wooden posts that served as foundations for houses thousands of years ago. The location stretches about 150 meters (490 feet) along the lake shore and lies partly underwater, with oak wood and other materials remarkably well preserved by the damp environment.
The site was discovered in 1971 by divers who saw wooden posts on the lake bottom, revealing the location of early settlement. The structures date from the Bronze Age, roughly between 2200 and 1400 before Christ, and belong to a larger group of prehistoric lakeside villages in the Alps.
The site shows how ancient communities built their homes directly over the water to live from the lake and protect themselves from floods. The wooden posts and found objects tell of a way of life deeply connected to the water, based on fishing and gathering food.
The site is reachable by car and has a walking path along the lake shore where you can view the excavation area up close. The nearby Museum Civico della Valtenesi in Manerba del Garda displays the found objects and helps visitors understand life in this early period better.
The wooden structures are preserved underwater so well that archaeologists can still see wood fibers and details today that would normally have rotted away after thousands of years. This exceptional preservation gave researchers rare insights into Bronze Age craftsmanship and building methods.
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