Fact Check: Did early Europeans live in lake dwellings like Irish and Scottish crannogs, as well as some houses of indigenous people of Oceania, as early archaeologists such as Ferdinand Keller believed?
What We Know
Early European societies, particularly in the Circum-Alpine region, constructed lake dwellings or pile dwellings as early as the late Neolithic period (around 4300 BC) through to the early Iron Age (around 700 BC) (Hofmann & Smyth, 2013). These structures were typically built on stilts over water bodies to protect against flooding and vermin, similar to the crannogs found in Ireland and Scotland, which were also used for habitation (Wikipedia, 2023).
Ferdinand Keller, a pioneering archaeologist in the 19th century, played a significant role in the study of these lake dwellings, particularly in Switzerland. He believed that these structures were indicative of a unique prehistoric society that lived in harmony with their aquatic environment (Keller, 1866). Keller's work laid the foundation for understanding the significance of these dwellings in European archaeology.
In addition to Europe, stilt houses have been a common architectural feature among various indigenous peoples in Oceania. These structures served similar purposes, such as protection from flooding and providing a shaded area for work and storage (Wikipedia, 2023).
Analysis
The claim that early Europeans lived in lake dwellings akin to crannogs is partially true. The archaeological evidence supports the existence of such dwellings in Europe, particularly in the Circum-Alpine region, where over 1,000 sites have been documented (Hofmann & Smyth, 2013). These findings suggest that the practice of building lake dwellings was not limited to one specific culture but was a widespread phenomenon across various communities.
However, the assertion that these structures are directly comparable to crannogs or indigenous houses in Oceania requires a nuanced understanding. While both types of dwellings served similar functions, they were developed independently in different cultural contexts. The architectural styles, materials used, and societal structures surrounding these dwellings varied significantly between Europe and Oceania (Wikipedia, 2023).
Keller's interpretations, while groundbreaking, were also reflective of the 19th-century archaeological mindset, which often sought to romanticize and simplify complex historical narratives. His conclusions about a distinct "lake-dwelling society" have been critiqued for lacking sufficient evidence to support such a broad characterization (Keller, 1866; Academia.edu, 2020).
Thus, while there is substantial evidence for the existence of lake dwellings in early European societies, the direct comparison to crannogs and indigenous structures in Oceania should be approached with caution, considering the differences in cultural and environmental contexts.
Conclusion
The claim that early Europeans lived in lake dwellings similar to Irish and Scottish crannogs, as well as indigenous houses in Oceania, is partially true. There is credible archaeological evidence supporting the existence of lake dwellings in Europe, as well as similar structures in Oceania. However, the cultural contexts and architectural practices surrounding these dwellings differ significantly, making direct comparisons problematic. The interpretations of early archaeologists like Ferdinand Keller, while foundational, also reflect a historical perspective that may oversimplify the complexities of these societies.