We all know of them: the pile dwellers! For decades, the pile dwellings have always been part of the school curriculum, they have featured regularly in media coverage of excavations and recently Swiss Television reported on the lives of the modern 'Pile Dwellers from Pfyn' for a whole month. Since the mid 19th century, prehistoric settlement remains in lakes and bogs have been known to the wider public by the term 'pile dwellings' The earliest settlements existed more than 7000 years ago, and around 500 BC the phenomenon suddenly came to an end. Now, the pile dwellings are set to be put forward for the prestigious 'UNESCO World Heritage' label.