On the 4th of October, 1887 (B. 454), Mr. H. Messikommer, while making excavations in an undisturbed part of this lake-dwelling, found near the surface of the peat, and on a level with the tops of the piles, another hatchet of the flat type made of bronze (No. 11). It is clear from these respective finds that the Robenhausen lake-dwelling came to an end before bronze came into general use.
Fig. 24.—Robenhausen. Nos. 12 to 14, 16 to 22, and 24 = 1⁄4, 23 = 1⁄8, 26 = 1⁄10, and the rest = 1⁄2 real size.
Weaving Materials.—A great many specimens of flax, yarn ropes, balls of thread, bits of ribbon, and variously-woven cloths, fishing and hair nets,[22] plaited borders, fringes, and mats ([Fig. 25]). Loom-weights ([Fig. 24], Nos. 20 and 21) and clay pirns were also met with, but, singularly enough, hardly any spindle-whorls. It is not very clear in what position these recorded relics have been found; but in 1882, when the water happened to be very low, the lowest relic-bed was carefully searched, and similar remains were found in it. In consequence of these finds, Messikommer announced, in 1882 (B. 383a, p. 379), that he was convinced that all manner of weaving was thoroughly known at the very commencement of the Robenhausen lake-dwelling.
The third settlement has yielded very little cloth or thread, probably owing to the fact that no conflagration took place, by the charring of which such remains are preserved from decomposition. On the other hand, jade implements, among which is an arrow-head of nephrite, and some 60 seeds, and fruits, have been collected. Among the latter the water-chestnut (Trapa natans) may be especially noted, as it no longer grows in the locality. (B. 462.)
Irgenhausen.—Only one other settlement has been recognised as a true lake-dwelling in this lake-basin, viz. Irgenhausen, situated about half an hour's walk to the east of Robenhausen. The station ran parallel to the shore for a distance of about 300 feet, with a breadth of only 30 feet. The relics found on it are similar in character to those from Robenhausen, the most remarkable of which are specimens of embroidered cloth and checked muslins. (B. 126, Pl. xvi. Fig. 2 and 2a.) Messikommer believes that only one row of cottages occupied this site. Almost the whole site of this lake-dwelling has disappeared into the depths since 1881, and can no longer be found.[23] Only a yawning deep (eine gähnende Tiefe) is now to be seen where formerly stood the remains of the Pfahlbau. This phenomenon is, however, not singular in the Swiss lakes, as evidence of which we have the recent catastrophe in Lake Zug, which demolished not only the site of a prehistoric lake-dwelling, but also a large part of the town of Zug.
Fig. 25.—Robenhausen. All 2⁄3 real size.