5000 years ago, men built wooden villages on the shores of alpine lakes. These “pile-dwellings” were eventually abandoned, their remains quickly covered by sediments deposited by rising water levels. Isolated from the air, fragile material such as wood has remained intact, representing an incredible source of information on the way our very distant ancestors lived. Today, some archaeological sites could be threatened by the joint effects of natural erosion and human activities.

5000 years ago, men built wooden villages on the shores of alpine lakes. These “pile-dwellings” were eventually abandoned, their remains quickly covered by sediments deposited by rising water levels. Isolated from the air, fragile material such as wood has remained intact, representing an incredible source of information on the way our very distant ancestors lived. Today, some archaeological sites could be threatened by the joint effects of natural erosion and human activities.

Since Antiquity, the Swiss lakes have been used to transport people and goods. Many vessels were lost through the ages, to be forgotten under several meters of protective sediment. The constant erosion of our lakes reveals new remains, that must rapidly be studied before they are forever lost.

The Island of Mozambique is a long-forgotten legendary place. Since the end of the 15th century, it became a major Portuguese settlement, where most of the ships on the sea route to India would stop before crossing the ocean.
Today, a local archaeologist fights against treasure hunters to preserve the outstanding historical heritage. Under his supervision, an underwater archaeology learning center and a museum will open soon.