CH-TG-05

The pile-dwelling site on the island in Lake Nussbaumersee during monitoring activities in 2017 © Amt für Archäologie Thurgau

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Short Description
The small island in Lake Nussbaumersee consists of a series of pile-dwelling settlements, dating back to a period from the Pfyn Culture to the early Bronze Age. Towards the current borders of the island layer sequences of more than 2m in thickness have been preserved. Archeological research has been conducted on the layers via a series of cuts and drillings. The neighbouring peninsula Horn next to a pit house from the corded ware period also offers a large settlement from the latest Bronze Age (870-850 BC). It contained roughly 100 log houses. Parts of the area were used for a settlement in the early Iron Age again.

Neolithic / Bronze Age

3840-3582 B.C. and 870-850 B.C

Lake Nussbaumersee

435 m.a.s.l.

Size of the site 3,66 ha / approx. 5 soccer pitches

Size of the bufferzone 16,86 ha / approx. 24 soccer pitches

Special Features & Highlights
Several crucibles and a copper axe in the material of the Pfyn period bear witness to early metalworking. The late Bronze Age settlement also provides a tableware ensemble with early painted pottery. The site is one of the few pile dwellings from the early Iron Age.

Vessels from the latest Bronze Age, some adorned with paintings © Amt für Archäologie Thurgau

Current Activities
The preservation of the sites is supervised by the office Amt für Archäologie. Drill cores taken in the Seebach valley are currently being analysed as part of the project " Klima und Umwelt im Thurgau“ (KUmiT).

Pile Dwellings up close
The site is part of the Seebachtal history trail. A sign informs on site.
Selected finds are exhibited in the cantonal Museum of Archaeology.

Museum für Archäologie Frauenfeld
Freie Strasse 24
8510 Frauenfeld
+41 (0) 58 345 74 00
to the website

Free entrance

Opening hours
Tue - Fri 14 – 17 Uhr
Sat & Sun 13 – 17 Uhr
closed on mondays