Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

Reviews

2007; Taylor & Francis; Volume: 12; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1179/174963106x123250

1749-6314

In 1854, Ferdinand Keller initiated excavations at Meilen on Lake Zurich and published a first report on his fieldwork, in which he sensationally interpreted the archaeological remains as evidence of a prehistoric village built on piles in the water.His successive publications, evocatively illustrated with reconstructions based upon ethnographic analogies, generated widespread scientific excitement.Indeed, they arguably changed the course of European prehistoric archaeology, inspiring scholars to search for similar remains throughout Europe, including Britain.This volume celebrates the 150th anniversary of Keller's pioneering work.It presents 12 papers on European lake-dwelling research, packaged between a foreword by Barry Cunliffe, an introduction by the editor, Francesco Menotti, and a strong conclusion by Andrew Sherratt, which situates this distinctive circum-Alpine settlement form in the context of Eurasian settlement archaeology.The chapters are illustrated by a good number of high quality photographs, and rounded off by an index.A characteristic feature of the prehistoric lakevillages, rightly reiterated throughout the volume, is the exceptional state of preservation of organic materials found at them.This has provided archaeologists with a wealth of detailed evidence concerning past ways of life and environmental conditions.Complete plans of prehistoric villages have been identified, consisting of rows or clusters of 10 to 40 houses, enclosed initially by fences, palisades or more complex fortifications, and reached by a path or trackway.Large wooden artefacts provide some of the earliest direct evidence of wheeled transport and ploughing in Europe.A wide range of smaller artefacts of wood, wicker, leather and textiles are also present, while plant remains include grain, seeds, wild fruits, moss, leaves and weeds of cultivation.Seen in this light, the contemporary Iceman's equipment seems altogether less exceptional.At the same time, as some of the contributors point out, there are limitations to this evidence.The state of