In the two lacustrine stations just described we had to deal with
remains essentially different from any that have hitherto come under
our notice. In La Tène both stone and bronze objects are quite the
exception, while those of iron are not only in great abundance, but,
from their variety and style of art, clearly show that the working
and forging of this metal had reached a great state of perfection. In
short, we have inherent evidence that the civilisation of the Bronze
Age was now superseded by one of a totally different character, and
yet it would seem that this complete change had been accomplished
independent of, and prior to, the advent of the Romans. On the other
hand, the class of antiquities found in Lake Paladru brings us down to
Carlovingian times, probably as late as the ninth or tenth century.
In pursuing our investigations northwards we find records of many
lake-dwellings which, like these, are the products of later ages than
those in which the Swiss Pfahlbauten flourished. But, at the same
time, there is satisfactory evidence as regards others in the same
localities that they belonged to the Prehistoric Ages. Professor
Virchow (B. 165) considers that, with one or two exceptions, all the
lake-dwellings of North Germany were founded during the Iron Age, and,
like our Scottish and Irish crannogs, continued down to the Middle
Ages. As regards many, however, no conclusive inferences can be drawn,
as they are imperfectly or entirely unexplored.