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Latenium, Park and Archaeology Museum
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Stone Age House
Reconstruction, Hauterive, Switzerland |
Thousands of years ago Stone
Age man lived in wood houses built on stilts on the shores
of lakes in what is now Switzerland. Artifacts of this pre-historic
culture and a reconstruction of a lake dwelling are found at the
Latenium, Park and Archaeology Museum (Laténium, parc
et Musée d'Archéology) located on the lake shore
of the town of Hauterive ten minutes drive from downtown Neuchâtel.
More information
on early man (and woman) in the Neuchâtel region 
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Other ancient finds in the
museum include a jaw bone and Neanderthal flint tools from
the Cotencher cave, a Cro-Magnon skull from the
Bichon cave, Roman and Merovingian artifacts,
and Celtic tools and arms from the La Tène
site. More recent artifacts on display include red roof tiles dating from the 1800's back to the 1400's.
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Reconstruction of Roman Boat, Hauterive, Switzerland
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Superstructure of Roman Bridge Reconstruction, Hauterive, Switzerland
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The lake-dweller's stilt
house and excellent reconstructions of a Roman boat (the
original was found on the bottom of Lake Neuchâtel),
and a Roman bridge are found in an archaeological park in
front of the museum. The stilt house is really kind of cozy. I don't
think that people living thousands of years ago had it all that bad
- not that I would trade places with them for any more than a month
or so - but we really don't need to think of ancient life being exactly
primitive and always difficult to bear. Like us they had their
family and friends, beautiful sunsets, rooms with a view, and in their
homes they had aesthetically pleasing possessions be it pottery and
baskets of interesting shapes and designs, and often woven items.
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Hours: Tuesday thru Saturday 10:00-17:00.
Address: Esp ace Paul Vouga, Hauterive, CH-2068, Switzerland
Though the museum itself charges a reasonable entrance fee, entrance to the archaeology park is free.
For more information in English visit the museum's website at www.latenium.ch |
Archaeology Museum,
Hauterive, Switzerland |
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