Pfahl

Pfahl is a German noun meaning a stake, pole, or pile driven into the ground or water to support structures or mark a boundary. The term is used in engineering, construction, and nautical contexts to describe long, slender elements that transfer loads to deeper soil layers.

In civil engineering, Pfähle are driven or drilled foundations for buildings, bridges, and waterfront structures, particularly in soft or water-saturated soils where shallow foundations are insufficient.

In archaeology, Pfahlbau refers to pile-dwelling settlements built on wooden piles in lakes or wetlands. Numerous sites across the Alpine regions and northern Europe preserve traces of prehistoric lifeways and environmental conditions.

Pfahl is also a German surname. As a family name, it appears in historical records and modern usage.

Related terms include Pfahlbau for pile-dwelling settlements and the broader concept of piles and posts used in construction.