New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-10-18
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
RECENT ANTIQUARIAN DISCOVERIES.

ence' contains u slhguldIly interesting hlc""ii ""
Che recent discoveries OF ancient lake habiaions
in Switzerland, reprinted from the L" Natural us
tory Review" Our readers will thank us for
such brief exposition of the subject, Us VIII en-
,be them to comprehend at glance the extent
and character Of the important archaeological dis
soveries, to which alusiOa has heretofore been
madc in our columns.
During the winter months Of icJ3-'5i, IN con-
sequence OF the extraordinary GOODNESS ana ury-
ness of the season, the rivers Of Switzerland dld
not receive their usual supplies OF water. Tie
lakes of the county also fell much below their ac-
custoned level. In some places, broad strand
was lett uncovered along the Margin In Others
shallow banks were converted into islands The
yyaler level was foot lower than tie lowest on
record for period Of lo0 years. These unusual
conditions attracted the attention of the Swiss
psychologists, and led TO the discoveries which
have since awakened 50 deep IN interest III tie
scientific world.
The first Indications, which appeared to throw
light on the history of pas, age were observed
in the bcd Of Tie lake or Zurich. In small bay
Of ,hat lake, the inhabitants took advantage Of the
lowness Of the waters TO increase their gardens,
by buil.ae wall along the new Water-lno and
slightly raising the level Of tie pieco thus re-
claimed by mud dredgcd from the lake. IL the
course Of ths dredging they found great number
of piles, OF deer horns, aud some implements. The
researches at this place were followed by similar
investigations in other lakes, showing that the
-. l.. q. 4
some, at least Of their dwellings above the sur
face Of the water, as is done q: Tie present day
by sayaces in various countries.
This method Of construction, OF which Traces
ore found in various parts of Europe, was men,
toned b. Herodoius, who describes the inhab-
uau;s near q certain TAracan lake, az living in
cabins situated on a platform, supported above
the water By great piles. Each cabin had trap
door opening On to the laSet aud the whole settle
meut communicated with the main land by q
bridge. The Papuans Of New-Guinca now live IN
square or circular huts, grouped on wooden plat
forms few feet above The level of the water,
supported By piles driven into the mud, aad con-
nectea with tho land by a narrow ridge.
The swiss psychologists have pursued their r.
searches with admirable yigor aud extraordinary
success In the lake of Neu.chatel, no fewer
than twenty-si1 of these settlements have been dis
covered; in the lake Of Geneva, tweuty-iour; il
lake Bieune, eleven; and IN the lake of Constance
six. The huts erected on these pileworks were
probably similar to the dwellings Of tho ancient
Gaus, which are described as circular structures
built of wood and lined with mud This suppose
ton is confirmed by the preservation OF pieces OF
tie cay used for the lining, which having been
destroyed by fire, had become hardened and able
20 resist the dissoying action OF the water. On
one side, the fragments bear the marks OF inter
laced brauches while on the other, which apparent
y formed the inner wall Of the cabin they are
perfectly smooth. Some Of them are SO large nna
50 regular, is to warrant the conclusion that the
cabins were circular, aad from ten to ftteen feet
in diameter
The question may DO suggested, why e people
So uucyilized should have constructed their dwc-
lngs with immense labor on the water, when Il
would have been so much easier 10 build them on
dry land. 1t IS stated in reply that the frs. SET
tiers in Switzerland had to contend with the boar
the wolf the bear, aud other beasts Of prey; aud
that subsequently when the population increased
and disputes arose, the lake hubitatious acted a.
a ratification, aud protected mau from man, a.
they had before preserved him from wild animals.
Switzerland. indeed, is not the only country IN
which lake dwellings have been usel as fortres3es.
In Ireland, number Of more or less artificial
islands are known historically 10 have been used
As strougnOlds by the petty chiefs. They are COM
posed Of earth and stones, strengthened by III
n.eEous piles, and have supplied The Irsh anti
| quarics with numerous weapons and bones.
The first s,ep ia tie construction Of the lake
habiations was to obtain tie necessary timber.
TO cut down tree with stone Ratchet must
. have been no slight undertaking. 1t is, indeed,
most probable that they made Of Are, in tho
came manner As Is done by existing sayages IN
telling trees and making canoes Their piles were
imDedded in tie mud from oae 10 iye feet, aud
mast have projected from four TO six feet above
tie water level, which cannot have been very diff
| ferent from at present. They must, accord
| iagly. have had length Of from II 10 20 feet,
| aud wero from three 20 nine inches il diameter.
| The pointed extremity which entered into the
| aud SUI bears Tie marks Of the fire. and the rude
! cuts made by tie stone Latchets. The platform
itself consisted Of five layers of.rces cuously and
carefully fastened together by cay aud interlaced
| bra.c hes Of tees but, Ike the perpendicular