Pfyn culture
Encyclopedia
The Pfyn Culture is one of several archaeological culture
s of the Neolithic
period in Switzerland
. It dates from c. 3900 BC to c. 3500 BC.
in the former peat bog of Breitenloo. Located in a depression
carved by a lateral moraine
of the Thur glacier, it dates from the Neolithic
era (4300 BC). The settlement site was discovered during peat cutting in the late 19th Century, but subsequently forgotten. During the war years 1940-41 an attempt to drain the bog to increase arable production land, led to its rediscovery. drainage work on arable production was raised again. In the autumn of 1944, an area of approximately 1000 square metres (10,763.9 sq ft) was excavated by interned Polish soldiers
led by Charles Keller-Tarnuzzer. Due to the topographical conditions, and an exploratory drilling project in 2002, it appears that about 60% of the settlement area has been excavated.
During the 1944 excavation 17 different houses were found. The houses are located along a north-south main street with the gable
s facing the street. The buildings are almost exclusively built with two nave
s and have lengths of 4–11 m (13.1–36.1 ft) and widths from 3.5–5.5 m (11.5–18 ft). It is striking that several houses of vastly different sizes lay side by side, suggesting perhaps larger homes with smaller farm buildings. The house floors were all built with complex support structures and overlying split boards, which were usually covered with clay. Midden
heaps in the soil and partial scorch marks on the support structures suggest that at least some buildings were lifted quite high off the ground.
Keller-Tarnuzzer noted that there was the close relationship of the ceramic
s with the Michelsberg culture of southern Germany
, and believed that the Pfyn finds were a Michelsberg settlement. Around 1960 research determined that the Pfyn ceramics were represented an autonomous culture that was related to the Michelsberg culture. Since that time, the Pfyn-Breitenloo site has been regarded as the center of the Pfyn culture. Further explorations in 2002 and 2004 led to a somewhat more nuanced picture of the settlement. This enabled the site to be dated via dendrochronology
. The timbers that were used were cut in 3706-3704 BC. and confirm a single development phase. Another Neolithic settlement must have existed some 400 m (1,312.3 ft) northwest of Breitenloo. However, the few ceramics discovered at that site are also part of the Pfyn culture. That settlement has never been systematically studied and it is believed that the industrial peat extraction during the second World War may have largely destroyed it.
wire and dagger from the Pfyn era were found at Reute
in Appenzell Ausserrhoden
as well as crucible
s and casting spills.
Intensification of pig
farming occurred during the Pfyn culture in the eastern part of the Alpine
foreland. Keeping large numbers of pigs is typical of the Horgen
and Corded Ware culture. This 'pig economy' was exported westward by the Horgen culture.
Grain production was also very important. At the Pfyn era sites near Zurich, Durum
wheat and Barley
were most commonly found. About half of the total calories consumed by the Pfyn era people came from grain.
Archaeological culture
An archaeological culture is a recurring assemblage of artifacts from a specific time and place, which are thought to constitute the material culture remains of a particular past human society. The connection between the artifacts is based on archaeologists' understanding and interpretation and...
s of the Neolithic
Neolithic
The Neolithic Age, Era, or Period, or New Stone Age, was a period in the development of human technology, beginning about 9500 BC in some parts of the Middle East, and later in other parts of the world. It is traditionally considered as the last part of the Stone Age...
period in Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
. It dates from c. 3900 BC to c. 3500 BC.
Discovery
The oldest traces of a settlement are about 1.5 km (0.93205910497471 mi) west of PfynPfyn
Pfyn is a municipality in Frauenfeld District in the canton of Thurgau in Switzerland.Pfyn gives its name to the ancient Pfyn culture, one of several Neolithic cultures in Switzerland which centered around intensive pig farming and trading, dating from c. 3900 BC to c...
in the former peat bog of Breitenloo. Located in a depression
Depression (geology)
A depression in geology is a landform sunken or depressed below the surrounding area. Depressions may be formed by various mechanisms.Structural or tectonic related:...
carved by a lateral moraine
Moraine
A moraine is any glacially formed accumulation of unconsolidated glacial debris which can occur in currently glaciated and formerly glaciated regions, such as those areas acted upon by a past glacial maximum. This debris may have been plucked off a valley floor as a glacier advanced or it may have...
of the Thur glacier, it dates from the Neolithic
Neolithic
The Neolithic Age, Era, or Period, or New Stone Age, was a period in the development of human technology, beginning about 9500 BC in some parts of the Middle East, and later in other parts of the world. It is traditionally considered as the last part of the Stone Age...
era (4300 BC). The settlement site was discovered during peat cutting in the late 19th Century, but subsequently forgotten. During the war years 1940-41 an attempt to drain the bog to increase arable production land, led to its rediscovery. drainage work on arable production was raised again. In the autumn of 1944, an area of approximately 1000 square metres (10,763.9 sq ft) was excavated by interned Polish soldiers
Polish Land Forces
The Polish Land Forces are a branch of Poland's Armed Forces. They currently contain some 65,000 active personnel and form many components of EU and NATO deployments around the world.-History:...
led by Charles Keller-Tarnuzzer. Due to the topographical conditions, and an exploratory drilling project in 2002, it appears that about 60% of the settlement area has been excavated.
During the 1944 excavation 17 different houses were found. The houses are located along a north-south main street with the gable
Gable
A gable is the generally triangular portion of a wall between the edges of a sloping roof. The shape of the gable and how it is detailed depends on the structural system being used and aesthetic concerns. Thus the type of roof enclosing the volume dictates the shape of the gable...
s facing the street. The buildings are almost exclusively built with two nave
Nave
In Romanesque and Gothic Christian abbey, cathedral basilica and church architecture, the nave is the central approach to the high altar, the main body of the church. "Nave" was probably suggested by the keel shape of its vaulting...
s and have lengths of 4–11 m (13.1–36.1 ft) and widths from 3.5–5.5 m (11.5–18 ft). It is striking that several houses of vastly different sizes lay side by side, suggesting perhaps larger homes with smaller farm buildings. The house floors were all built with complex support structures and overlying split boards, which were usually covered with clay. Midden
Midden
A midden, is an old dump for domestic waste which may consist of animal bone, human excrement, botanical material, vermin, shells, sherds, lithics , and other artifacts and ecofacts associated with past human occupation...
heaps in the soil and partial scorch marks on the support structures suggest that at least some buildings were lifted quite high off the ground.
Keller-Tarnuzzer noted that there was the close relationship of the ceramic
Ceramic
A ceramic is an inorganic, nonmetallic solid prepared by the action of heat and subsequent cooling. Ceramic materials may have a crystalline or partly crystalline structure, or may be amorphous...
s with the Michelsberg culture of southern Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, and believed that the Pfyn finds were a Michelsberg settlement. Around 1960 research determined that the Pfyn ceramics were represented an autonomous culture that was related to the Michelsberg culture. Since that time, the Pfyn-Breitenloo site has been regarded as the center of the Pfyn culture. Further explorations in 2002 and 2004 led to a somewhat more nuanced picture of the settlement. This enabled the site to be dated via dendrochronology
Dendrochronology
Dendrochronology or tree-ring dating is the scientific method of dating based on the analysis of patterns of tree-rings. Dendrochronology can date the time at which tree rings were formed, in many types of wood, to the exact calendar year...
. The timbers that were used were cut in 3706-3704 BC. and confirm a single development phase. Another Neolithic settlement must have existed some 400 m (1,312.3 ft) northwest of Breitenloo. However, the few ceramics discovered at that site are also part of the Pfyn culture. That settlement has never been systematically studied and it is believed that the industrial peat extraction during the second World War may have largely destroyed it.
Economy
Some evidence of metal working has been found in the region between Lake Constance and Lake Zürich from about the time period of the Pfyn culture. Unfortunately most of the metal comes from isolated finds and so is poorly dated. However, a copperCopper
Copper is a chemical element with the symbol Cu and atomic number 29. It is a ductile metal with very high thermal and electrical conductivity. Pure copper is soft and malleable; an exposed surface has a reddish-orange tarnish...
wire and dagger from the Pfyn era were found at Reute
Reute
Reute is a municipality in the canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden in Switzerland.-History:Reute was created due to the division of Appenzell in the wake of the Reformation. Some communities were left in the old faith, others turned themselves to the new faith...
in Appenzell Ausserrhoden
Appenzell Ausserrhoden
Appenzell Ausserrhoden is a canton of Switzerland. The seat of the government and parliament is Herisau, judicial authorities are in Trogen. Appenzell Ausserrhoden is located in the north east of Switzerland, bordering the cantons of St...
as well as crucible
Crucible
A crucible is a container used for metal, glass, and pigment production as well as a number of modern laboratory processes, which can withstand temperatures high enough to melt or otherwise alter its contents...
s and casting spills.
Intensification of pig
Pig
A pig is any of the animals in the genus Sus, within the Suidae family of even-toed ungulates. Pigs include the domestic pig, its ancestor the wild boar, and several other wild relatives...
farming occurred during the Pfyn culture in the eastern part of the Alpine
Alps
The Alps is one of the great mountain range systems of Europe, stretching from Austria and Slovenia in the east through Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Germany to France in the west....
foreland. Keeping large numbers of pigs is typical of the Horgen
Horgen culture
The Horgen culture is one of several archaeological cultures belonging to the Neolithic period of Switzerland. The Horgen culture may derive from the Pfyn culture and early Horgen pottery is similar to the earlier Cortaillod culture pottery of Twann, Switzerland...
and Corded Ware culture. This 'pig economy' was exported westward by the Horgen culture.
Grain production was also very important. At the Pfyn era sites near Zurich, Durum
Durum
Durum wheat or macaroni wheat is the only tetraploid species of wheat of commercial importance that is widely cultivated today...
wheat and Barley
Barley
Barley is a major cereal grain, a member of the grass family. It serves as a major animal fodder, as a base malt for beer and certain distilled beverages, and as a component of various health foods...
were most commonly found. About half of the total calories consumed by the Pfyn era people came from grain.
Sites
Pfyn culture sites have been discovered in several locations in eastern Switzerland. These include:- Breitenloo about 1.5 km (0.93205910497471 mi) from PfynPfynPfyn is a municipality in Frauenfeld District in the canton of Thurgau in Switzerland.Pfyn gives its name to the ancient Pfyn culture, one of several Neolithic cultures in Switzerland which centered around intensive pig farming and trading, dating from c. 3900 BC to c...
in the cantonCantons of SwitzerlandThe 26 cantons of Switzerland are the member states of the federal state of Switzerland. Each canton was a fully sovereign state with its own borders, army and currency from the Treaty of Westphalia until the establishment of the Swiss federal state in 1848...
of ThurgauThurgauThurgau is a northeast canton of Switzerland. The population, , is . In 2007, there were a total of 47,390 who were resident foreigners. The capital is Frauenfeld.-History:...
along the Thur river. - FeldmeilenFeldmeilenFeldmeilen is a village within the municipality of Meilen in the canton of Zurich in Switzerland.-Geography:Feldmeilen is located in the district of Meilen in the Pfannenstiel region on the northwestern shore of the Zürichsee between Zürich and Rapperswil.-Demographics, Education and...
-Vorderfeld and MeilenMeilenMeilen is a municipality in the district of Meilen in the canton of Zürich in Switzerland.- History :Archaeological findings in Meilen date back more than 4,000 years. In January 1854 the level of lake Zürich was particularly low and the locals took the chance to gain some land...
on the right bank of Lake ZurichLake ZurichLake Zurich is a lake in Switzerland, extending southeast of the city of Zurich. It is also known as Lake Zürich and Lake of Zürich. It lies approximately at co-ordinates ....
. Four layers of Pfyn culture artifacts (4350-3950 BC calibrated) are followed by five Horgen cultureHorgen cultureThe Horgen culture is one of several archaeological cultures belonging to the Neolithic period of Switzerland. The Horgen culture may derive from the Pfyn culture and early Horgen pottery is similar to the earlier Cortaillod culture pottery of Twann, Switzerland...
layers were found at Feldmeilen. In Meilen, one Pfyn layer (4250-4000 BC) followed by three Horgen layers were discovered.