LAKE DWELLINGS Meaning and
Definition
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Lake dwellings refer to human settlements constructed on lakes or lake shores, also known as lacustrine habitats or palafittes. These dwelling structures, typically made of wooden piles, were built atop bodies of water, including natural or artificial lakes, ponds, or marshes. The term commonly refers to the ancient settlements of prehistoric communities, and its predominant use is associated with the European Bronze and Iron Ages.
Lake dwellings were often erected close to the water's edge, making use of the stability provided by either driving wooden piles directly into the lakebed or attaching their foundations to the shore. These piles formed the framework for the dwelling's infrastructure, including houses, walkways, and various communal areas.
These lakefront settlements were favored for several reasons. Firstly, they offered easy access to freshwater for drinking, fishing, and irrigation, ensuring the survival of communities. Secondly, they provided a natural defense against potential threats, such as wild animals or rival tribes, due to the water acting as a barrier. Additionally, the proximity to aquatic resources facilitated trade and transportation, as lakes allowed for the use of canoes or boats.
As archaeological evidence of lake dwellings has been discovered in multiple regions, they offer valuable insights into prehistoric civilizations' way of life. The study of these settlements provides researchers with information about the architecture, daily activities, diet, tools, social structures, and technology of our ancestors who lived in these areas.
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Dwellings in lakes, erected either on piles or on artificial islands.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for LAKE DWELLINGS
- lake dwellines
- lake dwelling3
- lake dwellingc
- lake dwellingq
- lake dwellingr
- lakedwellinngs
- lakedweellings
- l ake dwellings
- la ke dwellings
- lak e dwellings
- lake d wellings
- lake dw ellings
- lake dwe llings
- lake dwel lings
- lake dwell ings
- lake dwelli ngs
- lake dwellin gs
- lake dwelling s
Etymology of LAKE DWELLINGS
The word "lake dwellings" is a compound term that combines two words: "lake" and "dwellings".
1. "Lake" comes from the Middle English word "lake" or "lak" which meant "a body of water, pond, or pool". This Middle English term originated from the Old English word "lacu" which had the same meaning. The Old English "lacu" is likely derived from the Proto-Germanic word "lakō" which meant "stream" or "pond". This Proto-Germanic term can be traced back further to the Proto-Indo-European root "lāg" which had the similar meaning of "to leak" or "to trickle".
2. "Dwellings" comes from the Middle English word "dwelling" which meant "a place of residence" or "a habitation" and originated from the Old English word "dwellung".
