Versoix-Bourg
Origin of the name Versoix-Bourg
The site is said to take its name from Versoix-Bourg, a lakeside district of the municipality of Versoix. The origin of the name is not explained.
Founding of Versoix-Bourg
Versoix-Bourg is a Bronze Age lakeside settlement (pile-dwelling village) in the municipality of Versoix, on the north shore of Lake Geneva, about 170 m from the present shore. Its remains lie down to almost five metres under water, making it one of the most deeply submerged prehistoric sites of Lake Geneva. The village covered more than three hectares. A path of pebbles and piles, observed over 125 m, linked it to the old shore. The finds, mainly pottery, show a main occupation in the Late Bronze Age, but an object of polished green stone may date from the Final Neolithic.[1][2]
History of Versoix-Bourg
Final Neolithic. An object of polished green stone, a kind of perforated pointed hammer, would rather date from this period.[1]
Late Bronze Age. Main occupation of the lakeside village, according to the surface pottery and the objects collected. A two-part stone mould was used there to cast bronze rings.[1]
1854. First mention of the site: Hippolyte Gosse presents it to the Société d'histoire et d'archéologie de Genève.[1]
1960s. A Genevan diving club collects pottery fragments and other objects on the eroded floor of the site, long protected from looting by its depth.[1]
1983. Last observations: the plan of the settlement is surveyed and ground profiles are measured.[1]
2011. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, among the 56 Swiss lakeside settlements.[1]
Historic sites in Versoix-Bourg
Versoix-Bourg lakeside settlement. Pile-dwelling village of more than three hectares, about 170 m from the present shore: the largest Late Bronze Age lakeside village in Switzerland, exceptionally deep among the Lake Geneva settlements of the period. Like the Late Bronze Age sites of Auvernier and Bevaix, it may have played a regional role in the Petit-Lac.[1]
Remains in Versoix-Bourg
Piles and ténevière. At least 4'500 piles are still visible on the surface. A very dense ténevière (a layer of pebbles brought by humans) covers the landward half of the site and joins the pebbles of the access path.[1]
Objects in the Musée d'art et d'histoire de Genève. A pottery vessel 14 cm high and one half of a two-part stone mould 19 cm high, used to cast bronze rings, both attributed to the Late Bronze Age.[1]
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Versoix - Bourg » (Pierre Corboud), version du 03.04.2019
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Versoix » (Françoise Dubosson), version du 03.04.2019
- geo.admin.ch, service de recherche de swisstopo (quartier Versoix-Bourg, coordonnées de la rive)
Other villages near Versoix-Bourg
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