One house in the Buchau settlement was exceptional: it had a strikingly large floor plan and was situated in a particularly central location. It was soon interpreted as the village chief’s house. However, it may also have been a meeting hall or a kind of temple. The flourishing economy of the Bronze Age inevitably led to social differences. There were poorer people, but also very wealthy ones, and presumably entire dynasties wielding political power.

The house’s current interior is based on archaeological finds: a tableware set made of high-quality, richly decorated pottery; a pendant made of 168 bronze rings; heavy arm rings; valuable clothing; finely crafted decorative pins; a bronze sword; pieces of armour; and a folding chair. The objects represent the upscale lifestyle of a wealthy family. Door bolts and keys protected the valuable possessions.

The pile-dwelling community’s most important means of transport can be found on the outer wall of the house: the dugout canoe. An experiment showed that the island of Mainau, 2.5 kilometres away, could be reached in half an hour. Every other location on Lake Constance was less than a day’s journey away. In addition to boats, however, there were also magnificent carts with sophisticated technology and fittings for travel on land on special occasions.

 

House type:

Two-room Bronze Age log cabin (c. 1000 BC), walls made of bog pine.

Reconstructed:

1931/1977, based on excavations at the „Wasserburg Buchau“, Federsee moor, 1921–1937.

 

Special jewellery for special people

People in high office still wear chains, medals or

badges today, albeit only on certain occasions.

In sport, too, medals are awarded to the best of the best,

such as at the Olympic Games. In this way, a person’s special status and

esteem are made visible to all.

Can you see the chain for the head of the village community?