Na-kolih - Interpretation of Biodiversity and Heritage of Pile Dwellings in the Ljubljana Marshes

The project "Interpretation of Biodiversity and Heritage of Pile Dwellings at Ljubljansko barje" (acronym: Na-kolih - on piles) focuses on the presentation and interpretation of the biodiversity and natural and cultural heritage of pile dwellings in the area of UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Prehistoric Pile Dwellings around the Alps. The project aims to illustrate the organic link between the conservation of biodiversity and cultural heritage (i.e. pile-dwellings) at Ljubljansko barje using a combination of classic and modern methods and interpretation tools. For this purpose, an interpretation centre, a connecting path and a reconstructed pile dwelling settlement will be built and equipped with interpretation tools.

The Interpretation Centre will have a large exhibition space where the biodiversity and heritage of the pile-dwellings in the region of Ljubljansko barje will be presented. The visitors will be introduced to the presentation and protection of the pile-dwellings, the origin and development of pile-dwelling culture at Ljubljansko barje and links with neighbouring regions, as well as a general overview of the history of pile-dwelling research and the inscription of the pile dwellings at Ig on the World UNESCO Heritage List. The interpretation of biodiversity will include: geological evolution of the area, mosaic landscape as a prerequisite for biodiversity, conservation of the main habitat types and target species of Natura 2000, the importance of Natura 2000 for Ljubljansko barje and wider area, and ecosystem services of the Ljubljansko barje. The exhibition will also include original finds that were discovered at Ljubljansko barje and are dated from the 5th to 2nd millennium BC.

Visitors will walk from the Interpretation Centre to the reconstructed Copper age settlement along a connecting path, which will be equipped with interpretation tools. These will guide visitors to nature reserves and pile-dwelling settlements. We will present the coexistence of people and nature, the former landscape of Ljubljansko barje and the importance of preserving the natural environment for the modern society. The importance of natural values, the protection of habitat types and target species of Natura 2000 will be highlighted. Through the conservation of extensive wetland meadows archaeological study sites will also be conserved.

Reconstucted pile-dwelling settlemet near Ig (photo: Elena Leghissa)

The pile-dwelling settlement will consist of five independent houses, three of which will be used for the exhibition. Houses will be connected by a wooden walkway on piles, which will continue to a circular path around the lake area. A pile-dwelling settlement from the third millennium B.C. will be reconstructed, with a characteristic environment of prehistoric pile-dwellings located in vicinity of the water edge. A variety of activities in the pile-dwelling period, such as pottery production, plant gathering and agriculture, metallurgy, animal husbandry, hunting and fishing, and transport in the pile-dwelling period will be presented in the settlement.

The interpretation of the contents is being prepared at ZRC SAZU: in the field of biodiversity by Anton Melik Geographical Institute ZRC SAZU under the direction of Aleš Smrekar, PhD and in the field of cultural heritage by the Institute of Archaeology under the direction of Elena Leghissa, PhD.