The space occupied by the settlement formed an irregular quadrangle, little short of three acres in extent. The piles were made from the round or split stems of trees—oak, beech, and pine being the prevailing kinds. On the supposition that they were placed at uniform distances throughout, Messikommer calculates from the data supplied by the Aabach Canal, which involved an area of about 4,000 square feet, that 100,000 piles were required for the construction of the entire lake-village.
In order to get at the relics, one has to dig through 5 or 6 feet of peat, in which no relics are found, with the exception of the piles, the tops of which nearly reach to the surface. Such pits are soon filled with water, as all the relic-beds are below the level of the lake.
As the excavations progressed, Messikommer made the important observation that the piles could be distinguished into three sets, corresponding with so many relic-beds.
The first set of piles penetrated into the shell marl some 10 or 11 feet below the present surface; and immediately over this marl there was a bed of greasy peat only 4 or 5 inches thick containing a few relics. Then followed a bed of charcoal with carbonised wheat, barley, cloth, etc., the result, according to our investigator, of a general conflagration which destroyed the entire settlement. After this catastrophe a new superstructure was reared, the piles of which were so closely set that, on an average three or four could be counted in each square foot. This new village appears to have flourished for a long time, as its duration is represented by a peaty deposit nearly 3 feet thick containing a variety of relics, as bones, pottery, portions of clay flooring, etc. Then followed a second bed of burnt materials, as corn, fruits, bread, and the usual industrial implements of stone—all of which point to a second conflagration. But, apparently undiscouraged, the lake-dwellers again undertook the task of reconstructing their peculiar dwellings, and Messikommer distinguishes this third series of piles by their not penetrating so deeply as those of the previous habitations. While the piles of the earlier dwellings penetrated into the shell marl, those of the third structure fell short of the former by 2½ feet and terminated in the intervening accumulated débris. On the other hand, however, their tops reached higher in the peat, coming nearly to the present surface. Further, he observed that it was only in the third settlement that the piles were split, those of the two former being round and much more decayed. Also, corresponding to its duration, there was a deposit of peat 3 feet in depth containing various relics, but no evidence of a conflagration, and above this point the peat was entirely destitute of the remains of human industry. It would thus appear that the lake-dwellers voluntarily abandoned their village, either on account of the accumulation of peat or because, in the exigencies of civilisation, they found more congenial conditions of habitation elsewhere.
During the excavations in the Aabach canal the above facts were amply demonstrated, as, indeed, they can be at the present time by any one who chooses to make the necessary excavations, permission for which the proprietor freely gives.
From the peculiar grouping and distribution of the relics over certain areas Mr. Messikommer came to the conclusion that while each cottage had its special appliances, as a hearth, a millstone, sharpening stones, and weaving materials, there were other relics specially localised. Thus there were large quantities of corn in one place, dried fruits in another, flax in a third, etc. He also learned to recognise from the kind of litter used, and the droppings of the animals, where the stalls for cattle, sheep, and goats were located; which, according to him, were in the intervals between the cottages. Bones, scales of fish, dried fruits, water-chestnuts, beech and hazel-nuts, acorns, and other remains of food, were very abundantly met with. The following are some of the more interesting relics from this vast deposit of the industrial remains of many ages:—
Wooden Objects.—A bow of yew, five feet long, still retaining the notch at both ends for the string; another specimen measures only 3½ feet in length. A large tub-like dish, nearly 16 inches in diameter, and a variety of ladles. A yoke for cattle, made of a hazel branch. A large door of wood, so arranged as to turn on a pivot, and measuring 4 feet 9 inches by 2½ feet wide, and 1½ inch thick; a canoe 12 feet long, 2½ feet wide, and 5 inches deep; a large assortment of handles, knives ([Fig. 24], No. 15), clubs (No. 26), dishes, suspension hooks, etc.
Horn and Bone.—Haftings for stone axes and chisels (Nos. 8 and 9), daggers, chisels, perforated axe-hammers (No. 12), arrow-points (No. 2), agricultural implements, small cup (No. 7), etc.
Stone.—Axes of nephrite are scarce, but they are abundant of the ordinary materials (No. 23)—some are perforated; flint saws in their handles, hammer-stones (No. 10), pendants (No. 3), a stone disc polished and perforated in the centre with a round hole (No. 13), arrow-points and scrapers of flint (No. 1), two small objects of redstone perforated with a series of holes (Nos. 5 and 6).
Pottery.—Earthenware cups, spoons, and various kinds of vessels (Nos. 14, 16, 17, and 18). Particularly noteworthy is one with a conical base requiring a ring-support (No. 18). Several coarse crucibles with handles (No. 22). When the first of these objects was discovered, it was supposed to be a large spoon, but latterly traces of copper were found in the pores of one, and thus their true nature was recognised. These crucibles were found a few years after the discovery of the lake-dwelling, and although Messikommer was constantly on the look-out for metal objects it was not till 1882 that his search was rewarded. This was a small copper celt of the flat type (No. 4), but as it was in stuff thrown out of the trenches for some time, it was impossible to say to which settlement it belonged. (B. 383, p. 324.) In 1884 Messikommer announced that a crucible which had evidently been used was found in the stratum of débris corresponding with the second settlement at Robenhausen.[21]