ABSTRACT
During the nineteenth century it was mainly members of the educated upper classes with an interest in the arts and cultural history who were concerned with research on lakeside dwellings. These ‘universal scholars’ were often members of the clergy, teachers, doctors, lawyers or businessmen, some of whom investigated the archaeological sources with very observant eyes and a great amount of expertise. Some collectors, inspired by the ‘pile dwelling euphoria’, exploited the sites like goldmines and operated a lively antiques trade. The general emphasis was, at that time, placed on collecting as many finds as possible and reconstructing an exotic, nature-loving prehistoric way of life (Figure 17.1). That is the reason why the systematic work carried out by just a small group of researchers cannot be praised enough.
