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MISC. TOOLS
FROM LAKE SITES
SWITZERLAND
NEOLITHIC & BRONZE AGE
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COPYRIGHT
APRIL 30, 2009 PETER A. BOSTROM
This picture shows
some of the different types of tools that have been found of Swiss
Lake Dwelling sites (except for the large
antler axe). Most date to
the Neolithic period. The rest would date to the Bronze Age. The
bone and antler preservation is immediately apparent. Lake dweller
sites are known world wide for their extraordinary examples of all
things organic, especially the hafted stone tools that have wooden
handles.
The antler pick and antler axe are the largest artifacts in
this picture. Other bone and antler tools are
identified as awls,
beads, sockets, flaking tools and a chisel.
Unfortunately the antler axe is the
only artifact that does not have a provenience. It was originally in
a large collection in Denmark and probably originates from that
area. It measures 17 5/8 inches (44.7 cm) long and it has a
circumference of 6 3/8 inches (16.2 cm). The blade width is 2 1/8
inches (5.3) cm wide. The antler pick was found on the Auvernier site on
Lake Neuchatel in western Switzerland.
It measures 18 3/4 inches (47.6 cm) long. Two of the tines and the
base of the antler were removed by grooving and snapping.
The stone artifacts in this picture are identified as
arrow points, celts, scrapers, sickle blades, net sinkers, spindle
whorls, a graver and a battle axe. The battle axe is broken but the
green serpentine stone it was made from is especially nice. The
arrow points are stemmed and triangular types.
Several of the celts are shown as they were once hafted into their
antler sockets. One of the sickle or side blades is hafted onto a
modern replica of a wooden handle (bottom
left side). Similarly hafted
tools have been found on lake dweller sites.
Two complete ceramic pots can also be seen in this
picture. Both were found on the Auvernier site. The small miniature
pot, at left side, may have been a child's toy. The larger pot is
plain and
It measures 5 3/8 inches (23.6 cm) in diameter and 3 1/4 inches (8.2
cm) high.
A Bronze Age metal arrow point is laying on one of the antler
tools. It was found at Fallanden on Lake Greifensee.
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