CH-SO-01

A bird's eye view of the lake Burgäschi © Peter Brotschi, Grenchen

  Aeschi SO  |     Burgaschisee Ost

Short description
The small pile dwelling site located on the eastern shore of Lake Burgäschiwas was discovered in 1943 after the lake level had been lowered. It was excavated with the help of prisoners of war in 1944/45. While the first phase of the site at Burgäschisee-Ost was associated with the Egolzwil Culture, its main phase, dated around 3830 BC, is attributed to the classic Cortaillod Culture. There are also links to a later Corded Ware Culture phase. Furthermore, two horizons were identified which date before the pile dwelling settlements: one was associated with the Magdalenian Culture (15,000–13,500 BC) the other possibly with the end of the Mousterian Culture (around 38,000–37,000 BC).

"Pile Dwellings in Switzerland" © gsk.ch 2017

Neolithic

4th millenium BC

Lake Burgäschi

466 m.a.s.l.

Size of the site 0,3 ha / approx. a half soccer pitch

Size of the bufferzone 90,69 ha / approx. 127 soccer pitches




Stone axe blades
Stone axe blades from Burgäschisee-Ost (Cortaillod period) © Kantonsarchäologie Solothurn, Jürg Stauffer

Current activities
The site was investigated from 2015-2017 by the University of Bern as part of an international research programme. A publication is planned.

 

Pile Dwellings up-close
The lake is a natural recreation area with walking paths, a restaurant, lido and boat rental services in the area.

Archäologisches Museum Kanton Solothurn
Haus der Museen
Konradstrasse 7,
4600 Olten
to the website

Openinghours:
Tue – Sun 10 am – 5 pm