Til E 



PRIMITIVE INHABITANTS 



OF 



Western Europe. 



In 1829, an excavation made in the shore of the 

 Lake of Zurich, near Meilen, brought Up fragments of 

 wooden piles and other remains, which attracted no at- 

 tention at the time, and were thrown, with the mud in 

 which they were imbedded, into the deep part of the 

 lake. 



In the winter of 1853-4, the water in the Swiss 

 lakes fell one foot lower than the mark of 1674, which 

 had been considered the lowest known in history. 

 Several gentlemen of Meilen took advantage of this low 

 water to extend their land into the lake, inclosing por- 

 tions laid bare, and filling up the inclosed spaces with 

 neighboring mud. ■ The workmen, as soon as they 

 began to excavate, found the mud, forming the bottom 

 of this portion of the lake, filled with wooden piles, 

 horns and bones of animals, implements of stone, and 

 fragments of pottery. The interest of antiquarians was 

 at once excited. Investigations were set on foot. It 

 was soon found that the shores of the Swiss lakes were 



