Horgen culture

With Horgen culture, is called a Neolithic culture 3400-2800 BC in the area of ​​western Switzerland and southern Baden -Württemberg, which is characterized by wet soil settlements and stilt houses. The Horgen Culture follows in western Switzerland on the Cortaillod culture in eastern Switzerland and northern (Lake Constance) on the Pfyn Culture. The Horgen culture is considered the easternmost foothills of the Seine- Oise -Marne culture in France.

Fund history, naming

The culture was named after the place Horgen- Scheller on Lake Zurich, where in 1923 finds came to light during construction works. In 1934 saw the prehistorians Emil Vogt from the Swiss National Museum, that the characteristic findings differ from other eras. Other important sites are Sipplingen on Lake Constance or Bad Buchau on Federseemuseum. In the years 1987-1990 major investigations of the site took place, with great part had to be used under water.

Ceramics and tools

The Horgen culture is characterized by coarse, thick-walled, cylindrical ceramic. Since the Horgen culture different from their predecessors in cultures, the presumption arose that the carriers of Horgen Cultures were immigrants. But reports Martin Kolb ( see references ), suggest findings in Sipplingen on a smooth cultural change what the conjecture suggests that the Horgen culture has an indigenous origin.

The differences in the ceramics can be explained by a changed user behavior. As food particles occupy in the ceramic of the Horgen culture, the thick-walled vessels were also used for the heating / heating food; ie the use went beyond food storage.

When the found tools which all production steps can prove their shape is simple and practical.