Vimfou.—Dr. Weichmann-Kadow (B. 142) describes a lacustrine dwelling found in a small lake at Vimfou, near Goldberg. The lake was drained and converted into meadow land in 1865, and in its former bed three localities containing piles had been observed, only one of which, however, was subjected to any examination. This was near the middle of the lake, and the piles, which appeared to have been the foundations of a burnt-down hut, occupied a circular area about 12 feet in diameter. Inside the piled area were bits of burnt wood, charcoal, and some broken pottery and three whole vessels. Some of these vessels were well made and had handles and a style of ornamentation which corresponded with the early Iron Age. The only other remains were a few grinding stones (Quetschmühle), some small round pebbles supposed to have been used as draughtsmen, bits of bone, and the shells of hazel-nuts.
(b) POMERANIA AND CENTRAL PRUSSIA.
Ryck.—Almost contemporary with Lisch's discoveries in the vicinity of Wismar were those by Von Hagenow at the mouth of the river Wiek. (B. 97.) Rumours of the discovery of various ancient objects of flint, bronze, and iron, while the bed of the river was being deepened, induced Mr. von Hagenow to investigate the matter. These reported discoveries extended backwards for upwards of twenty years, embracing the years 1839-47-59-62 and '64. It was only in the latter year that it became surmised that the antiquities indicated a lake-dwelling. There was no doubt of the existence of piles, which Von Hagenow unhesitatingly concluded had been used for this purpose; but others thought they were the remains of a bridge. Prof. Virchow, writing in 1869 (B. 165), after examining into all the circumstances, was unable to form an opinion or to decide whether these remains pointed to a bridge or to a lake-dwelling.
Hegar Lake.—This lake is situated in the district of Dramburg, near Sabin, and in it were found many iron objects, upwards of 100 arrow and lance-heads, spurs and horse-bits, associated with the remains of a small wooden house. No objects characteristic of the Stone or Bronze Ages were found, so that there can be no doubt that this station was of a comparatively late age. (B. 119, 2nd ed., p. 629.)
Werbelinsee.—According to Professor Virchow, this lake contains the remains of a most interesting pile-dwelling. (B. 165.) The lake is situated not far from Joachimsthal and Angermünde, and on its south side, near the village of Altenhof, piles were detected which, by a vague tradition, were supposed to mark the site of a bridge. Professor Virchow, however, by placing long wooden poles in the water where the submerged ancient piles were observed, demonstrated the existence of a vast area which even the sceptical boatmen admitted could only have been intended for the foundations of a village.
Persanzigersee.—This lake, according to Kasiski (B. 125 and 362), is situated four and a half miles to the west of Neustettin, and formerly covered about 186 acres; but in 1863 it was lowered some 10 feet by the construction of a drainage canal, thereby reducing its area to less than as many roods. At the north end of the lake, and 170 yards from the shore, there appeared a small island, which was found to have been surrounded by a remarkable structure of piles and cross-beams. Sixty yards to the north of this island there was a flat prominence, called the "Werder," which was completely cut off from the mainland, partly by bogs and partly by an arm of the lake 55 yards wide. (See accompanying [Sketch Map].)
Stretching between the island and the point of the Werder the stumps of a double row of piles, doubtless the remains of a bridge, were detected. A similar bridge also extended from the Werder to the shore; and to the south of this were the remains of a third bridge, which appears to have never been finished, as it stopped suddenly short after reaching some 40 yards into the lake in the direction of the island. Another row of piles, commencing at the outer end of the bridge which connected the island with the Werder, extended circularly for a considerable distance in the bed of the lake, as if intended to protect the island.
The chief point of interest, however, lay in the peculiar structures which surrounded the island. These consisted of a series of rectangles, some 60 in number, formed of horizontal beams 16 feet long and 8 to 12 inches in diameter; they overlapped each other near their extremities, leaving about 18 inches free, and each beam had deep cuts by which it was kept in position, exactly similar to the plan used in the construction of a log house. The rectangular spaces measured four or five square yards, and had 30 or 40 piles placed on both sides of the chamber-walls, apparently for the purpose of strengthening the horizontal beams, as shown in the plan. These chambers appear to have formed a complete girdle to the island, but they were partly destroyed on the south side. The quantity of wood used was enormous, as the piles alone numbered about 1800. On the north side the structures were remarkably well preserved, being protected by a covering of slime and rushes eight to twelve inches thick. At first Major Kasiski believed that the rectangles were cottages, but subsequently, after comparison with similar structures in other lakes in North Germany, he came to the conclusion that they formed merely the submerged foundations over which the cottages had been built.