To mark the 10th anniversary of the inclusion of the "Lake Dwellings around the Alps" in the Unesco World Heritage List, the municipal underwater archaeology department invites visitors to discover the world of the lake dwellings on Lake Zurich. Among other things, by means of augmented reality and an exhibition.
In 2011, 111 of almost 1000 known archaeological pile-dwelling sites from Switzerland, Austria, France, Germany, Italy and Slovenia were included in the Unesco World Heritage List for the first time as "Pile Dwellings around the Alps". Two sites in the city of Zurich are also part of the inventory. To mark the 10th anniversary of this listing, activities are now taking place throughout Switzerland on the theme of pile dwellings.
The underwater archaeology of the city of Zurich is also involved in the activities, as the Office of Urban Planning announced on Monday. For example, the exhibition "Pile dwelling archaeology in Zurich - 10 years of Unesco World Cultural Heritage" is on display in the Haus zum Rech in the Old Town. In addition to the exhibition, those interested can also virtually immerse themselves in the past of the pile dwelling settlement with the help of the new augmented reality app "pastZurich".
Pile-dwelling exhibition in the Haus zum Rech
The exhibition at the Haus zum Rech from 13 April to 21 June 2021 provides insights into the history of pile-dwelling and underwater archaeology in Zurich from its beginnings in the 1960s to the present day. During this time, the city's underwater archaeology has developed from a pioneer in its field to a technically modern centre of excellence that is active not only in Zurich, but also in other Swiss and foreign waters.
Specifically, the exhibition takes interested visitors from the oldest pile-dwelling settlement at Zurich Bellevue around 4300 BC to the most recent settlement at today's General Guisan-Quai, with which the pile-dwelling period ended around 800 BC. Historical photos and film footage, models and finds as well as diving equipment from Zurich's underwater archaeology department are on display, according to the press release.
Virtual pile-dwelling village on Sechseläutenplatz
The former pile dwellings on the shores of Lake Zurich can also be explored virtually. This is possible with the new app "pastZurich". Users can use their smartphone or tablet to explore the life-size digital reconstruction of the pile dwelling settlement on Sechseläutenplatz.
Eight houses are depicted on the square, each dedicated to one of the cantonal sites on the Unesco inventory and furnished with everyday objects. In addition, numerous "points of interest" provide further information about the life of the former pile dwellers and their investigation by underwater and dendroarchaeology.
The app was developed in collaboration with the Zurich agency specialising in apps and augmented reality. Bitforge AG developed. "pastZurich" also has another function that allows a miniature model of a pile dwelling village to be placed anywhere. This allows interested people to experience the pile dwellings virtually directly from home.
The app "pastZurich" can here can be downloaded.
Source: Baublatt
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