JEA 2026: Lecture at the Laténium: ‘When the past resurfaces’

A talk by Fabien Langenegger, archaeologist at the Office of Archaeology of the Canton of Neuchâtel (OARC).

 

As part of its regular monitoring of lakeside settlements, the Cantonal Office of Archaeology of Neuchâtel is simultaneously compiling an extensive aerial photographic record of the lake. In November 2024, an anomaly was discovered off the shore of the municipality of Hauterive. Reconnaissance dives enabled the identification of a complete cargo dating from Roman times. Given the fragility and sensitivity of these remains, two underwater excavations were carried out in 2025 and 2026 in collaboration with the Archaeological Service of the Canton of Fribourg and the Octopus Foundation. The richness, diversity and exceptional state of preservation of the finds make this discovery a unique collection in Switzerland and in the inland waters north of the Alps.

 

Practical information

The lecture will take place in the Michel-Egloff lecture theatre at the Laténium.
It is being held as part of European Archaeology Days and World Heritage Days in Switzerland.

 

Admission to the museum and the lecture is free.

 

Following the lecture and as part of World Heritage Days, Cantonal Archaeologist Sonia Wüthrich will lead a guided tour of the publicly accessible storage facility, focusing on the lake finds. During the tour, she will present a number of objects from the Roman cargo recently excavated from Lake Neuchâtel.