Some of the most exciting archaeological finds in Switzerland are those of lakeside villages, the oldest of which date back to the middle of the 4th millennium BC. These settlements have been found round many Swiss lakes, including Neuchâtel and Biel in the west, Zug and Zurich in the centre, and Constance in the east, as well as in a number of neighbouring countries.

By building their houses on the very edge of the lakes the inhabitants saved valuable agricultural land. However, the level of the lakes is by nature extremely unstable, and the settlements were frequently abandoned as the waters rose.

The construction of lakeside settlements, with houses built on piles, continued for some 3,000 years.