A new model for gauging levels of soil disturbance (i.e. tillage) by analysing arable weed assemb... more A new model for gauging levels of soil disturbance (i.e. tillage) by analysing arable weed assemblages from archaeological contexts is applied to an extensive Roman-to-early medieval archaeobotanical sequence from the region west of Cologne. It tests the hypothesis that increasing use of the mouldboard plough, especially in a three-field system, would result in increased levels of soil disturbance which would be reflected in the kinds of weeds that grew in arable fields. The results point to clear differences in tillage regimes during the Roman period, providing support for the view that military sites were not provisioned by the same networks that supplied the civilian market. They also reveal generally low disturbance levels for the fifth and sixth centuries, indicating a continuing predominance of ard cultivation in the post-Roman period. The majority of seventh-to eighth-century samples had, however, been grown in 'high disturbance' conditions, a pattern that continued through the eighth and ninth centuries. Although use of the mouldboard plough within a fully developed three-field system may not have become widespread until the tenth or eleventh century, our evidence suggests that a plough capable of turning over the soil was in use in the Rhineland at a much earlier date.
Ridge and furrows (Wölbäcker) are a well known
archaeological feature which refl ect an agricultu... more Ridge and furrows (Wölbäcker) are a well known archaeological feature which refl ect an agricultural field type which was widely common until the 19th century. Today there are nonetheless many open research questions concerning the actual use, function and interpretation of ridge and furrows within Medieval agriculture. The Lauresham Open-Air Laboratory together with the Martin-Luther-University Halle- Wittenberg is therefore conducting therefore large scale field studies with (re)constructed and newly created ridge and furrows systems on site. Both institutions not only hope to widen our historical knowledge on this field system but to possibly give relevant impulses to 21st century sustainable farming.
So called pit-houses (“Grubenhäuser) are among the best
known archaeological features within Earl... more So called pit-houses (“Grubenhäuser) are among the best known archaeological features within Early Medieval settlement archaeology. Nevetheless not much is known concerning the specifi c function and interpretation of these house types. A new research project at the Open- Air Laboratory Lauresham is trying to counter this using an experimental archaeological approach.
Until its extinction in 1627, Aurochs shaped the
landscapes of Europe and beyond. With the Auerri... more Until its extinction in 1627, Aurochs shaped the landscapes of Europe and beyond. With the Auerrind- Project, the Open-Air Laboratory Lauresham both aims to widen our knowledge of wild Aurochs in the holocene and to give visitors answers to the question, what wilderness and nature in the Early Middle Ages meant and how aurochs played an important role culturally (prestige hunting, domestication e.g.) and naturally (as large grazers). With fi rst results already appearing, the project follows three paths to fulfi l its general aims: breeding an aurochslike cattle breed, research and natural grazing.
Ein großangelegtes Forschungsprojekt versucht, die menschlichen Überreste im Kloster Lorsch umfas... more Ein großangelegtes Forschungsprojekt versucht, die menschlichen Überreste im Kloster Lorsch umfassend anthropologisch zu untersuchen. Dazu gehören auch Neugrabungen im Bereich des Mönchsfriedhofs.
Large Abbeys like Lorsch played an important
role within the framework of Carolingian warfare.
As... more Large Abbeys like Lorsch played an important role within the framework of Carolingian warfare. As part of their duties (militia) they had to equip and provide mounted and armoured warriors (loricati milites; German “Panzerreiter”) for the imperial army. With a new and interdisciplinary research project, the UNESCO World heritage site Lorsch Abbey together with the Lauresham Open-Air Laboratory tries to find out more about social status, appearance and the equipment of said “Panzerreiter”. As part of this project, it is the long-term goal to (re)construct every single known piece of equipment a mounted warrior like this would have had and to present it in a museum context at the World Heritage Site. In a first step, a team of craftspeople, archaeologists and archaeotechnicians worked on the (re)construction of a Carolingian damask spatha found near Mannheim-Neckarau in 1932. This paper presents the results of a first phase in which it was the main goal to get an idea of the techniques and material used to create this extraordinary sword. The usage of modern tools and other auxiliaries was in this case allowed. A yet to be accomplished second phase of the project then wants to craft a second (re)construction under authentic basic conditions.
The drought of 2018 caused massive problems
in the field of agriculture. This paper addresses
the... more The drought of 2018 caused massive problems in the field of agriculture. This paper addresses the question on how medieval farmers and the manorial system might have coped with situations like this. Did medieval subsistence strategies like risk minimization result in advantages which could be of use for modern agriculture? The Lauresham Open-Air Laboratory for Experimental Archaeology at the UNESCO World Heritage Site Lorsch Abbey in Southern Germany delivers valuable answers to questions like this. As a scale 1:1 model of an Early Medieval manor it functions as a vast basis for experiments in the fi eld of Experimental Archaeology, Agriculture and Ancient Crafts. On almost more than one hectare, the Open Air Laboratory conducts experiments on the function, advantages and disadvantages of different field systems of the Early Middle Ages including ridge and furrows. Using (re)constructed medieval ploughs and draft cattle, it is the goal to create as authentic conditions as possible for the scientific experiments. A professional weather station, soil analysis, growth monitoring of the diff erent crops and the calculation of the maximum draft power needed for the various agricultural implements all allow deep and new insights on the value of medieval subsistence strategies for 21st century agriculture.
Der Einsatz von Zugtieren im Rahmen experimentalarchäologischer Versuchsreihen bietet eine ganze ... more Der Einsatz von Zugtieren im Rahmen experimentalarchäologischer Versuchsreihen bietet eine ganze Reihe an Erkenntnismöglichkeiten. Zugleich gibt es im Sinne des Tierwohls aber auch einschränkende Faktoren, die nicht unberücksichtigt bleiben dürfen.
A new model for gauging levels of soil disturbance (i.e. tillage) by analysing arable weed assemb... more A new model for gauging levels of soil disturbance (i.e. tillage) by analysing arable weed assemblages from archaeological contexts is applied to an extensive Roman-to-early medieval archaeobotanical sequence from the region west of Cologne. It tests the hypothesis that increasing use of the mouldboard plough, especially in a three-field system, would result in increased levels of soil disturbance which would be reflected in the kinds of weeds that grew in arable fields. The results point to clear differences in tillage regimes during the Roman period, providing support for the view that military sites were not provisioned by the same networks that supplied the civilian market. They also reveal generally low disturbance levels for the fifth and sixth centuries, indicating a continuing predominance of ard cultivation in the post-Roman period. The majority of seventh-to eighth-century samples had, however, been grown in 'high disturbance' conditions, a pattern that continued through the eighth and ninth centuries. Although use of the mouldboard plough within a fully developed three-field system may not have become widespread until the tenth or eleventh century, our evidence suggests that a plough capable of turning over the soil was in use in the Rhineland at a much earlier date.
Ridge and furrows (Wölbäcker) are a well known
archaeological feature which refl ect an agricultu... more Ridge and furrows (Wölbäcker) are a well known archaeological feature which refl ect an agricultural field type which was widely common until the 19th century. Today there are nonetheless many open research questions concerning the actual use, function and interpretation of ridge and furrows within Medieval agriculture. The Lauresham Open-Air Laboratory together with the Martin-Luther-University Halle- Wittenberg is therefore conducting therefore large scale field studies with (re)constructed and newly created ridge and furrows systems on site. Both institutions not only hope to widen our historical knowledge on this field system but to possibly give relevant impulses to 21st century sustainable farming.
So called pit-houses (“Grubenhäuser) are among the best
known archaeological features within Earl... more So called pit-houses (“Grubenhäuser) are among the best known archaeological features within Early Medieval settlement archaeology. Nevetheless not much is known concerning the specifi c function and interpretation of these house types. A new research project at the Open- Air Laboratory Lauresham is trying to counter this using an experimental archaeological approach.
Until its extinction in 1627, Aurochs shaped the
landscapes of Europe and beyond. With the Auerri... more Until its extinction in 1627, Aurochs shaped the landscapes of Europe and beyond. With the Auerrind- Project, the Open-Air Laboratory Lauresham both aims to widen our knowledge of wild Aurochs in the holocene and to give visitors answers to the question, what wilderness and nature in the Early Middle Ages meant and how aurochs played an important role culturally (prestige hunting, domestication e.g.) and naturally (as large grazers). With fi rst results already appearing, the project follows three paths to fulfi l its general aims: breeding an aurochslike cattle breed, research and natural grazing.
Ein großangelegtes Forschungsprojekt versucht, die menschlichen Überreste im Kloster Lorsch umfas... more Ein großangelegtes Forschungsprojekt versucht, die menschlichen Überreste im Kloster Lorsch umfassend anthropologisch zu untersuchen. Dazu gehören auch Neugrabungen im Bereich des Mönchsfriedhofs.
Large Abbeys like Lorsch played an important
role within the framework of Carolingian warfare.
As... more Large Abbeys like Lorsch played an important role within the framework of Carolingian warfare. As part of their duties (militia) they had to equip and provide mounted and armoured warriors (loricati milites; German “Panzerreiter”) for the imperial army. With a new and interdisciplinary research project, the UNESCO World heritage site Lorsch Abbey together with the Lauresham Open-Air Laboratory tries to find out more about social status, appearance and the equipment of said “Panzerreiter”. As part of this project, it is the long-term goal to (re)construct every single known piece of equipment a mounted warrior like this would have had and to present it in a museum context at the World Heritage Site. In a first step, a team of craftspeople, archaeologists and archaeotechnicians worked on the (re)construction of a Carolingian damask spatha found near Mannheim-Neckarau in 1932. This paper presents the results of a first phase in which it was the main goal to get an idea of the techniques and material used to create this extraordinary sword. The usage of modern tools and other auxiliaries was in this case allowed. A yet to be accomplished second phase of the project then wants to craft a second (re)construction under authentic basic conditions.
The drought of 2018 caused massive problems
in the field of agriculture. This paper addresses
the... more The drought of 2018 caused massive problems in the field of agriculture. This paper addresses the question on how medieval farmers and the manorial system might have coped with situations like this. Did medieval subsistence strategies like risk minimization result in advantages which could be of use for modern agriculture? The Lauresham Open-Air Laboratory for Experimental Archaeology at the UNESCO World Heritage Site Lorsch Abbey in Southern Germany delivers valuable answers to questions like this. As a scale 1:1 model of an Early Medieval manor it functions as a vast basis for experiments in the fi eld of Experimental Archaeology, Agriculture and Ancient Crafts. On almost more than one hectare, the Open Air Laboratory conducts experiments on the function, advantages and disadvantages of different field systems of the Early Middle Ages including ridge and furrows. Using (re)constructed medieval ploughs and draft cattle, it is the goal to create as authentic conditions as possible for the scientific experiments. A professional weather station, soil analysis, growth monitoring of the diff erent crops and the calculation of the maximum draft power needed for the various agricultural implements all allow deep and new insights on the value of medieval subsistence strategies for 21st century agriculture.
Der Einsatz von Zugtieren im Rahmen experimentalarchäologischer Versuchsreihen bietet eine ganze ... more Der Einsatz von Zugtieren im Rahmen experimentalarchäologischer Versuchsreihen bietet eine ganze Reihe an Erkenntnismöglichkeiten. Zugleich gibt es im Sinne des Tierwohls aber auch einschränkende Faktoren, die nicht unberücksichtigt bleiben dürfen.
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Papers by Claus Kropp
archaeological feature which refl ect an agricultural
field type which was widely common until the 19th
century. Today there are nonetheless many open
research questions concerning the actual use, function
and interpretation of ridge and furrows within Medieval
agriculture. The Lauresham Open-Air Laboratory
together with the Martin-Luther-University Halle-
Wittenberg is therefore conducting therefore large scale
field studies with (re)constructed and newly created
ridge and furrows systems on site. Both institutions not
only hope to widen our historical knowledge on this
field system but to possibly give relevant impulses to
21st century sustainable farming.
known archaeological features within Early Medieval
settlement archaeology. Nevetheless not much is known
concerning the specifi c function and interpretation of
these house types. A new research project at the Open-
Air Laboratory Lauresham is trying to counter this using
an experimental archaeological approach.
landscapes of Europe and beyond. With the Auerrind-
Project, the Open-Air Laboratory Lauresham both aims
to widen our knowledge of wild Aurochs in the holocene
and to give visitors answers to the question, what
wilderness and nature in the Early Middle Ages meant
and how aurochs played an important role culturally
(prestige hunting, domestication e.g.) and naturally (as
large grazers). With fi rst results already appearing, the
project follows three paths to fulfi l its general aims:
breeding an aurochslike cattle breed, research and
natural grazing.
Claus Kropp / Dieter Lammers
role within the framework of Carolingian warfare.
As part of their duties (militia) they had to equip
and provide mounted and armoured warriors
(loricati milites; German “Panzerreiter”) for the
imperial army. With a new and interdisciplinary
research project, the UNESCO World heritage
site Lorsch Abbey together with the Lauresham
Open-Air Laboratory tries to find out more about
social status, appearance and the equipment of
said “Panzerreiter”. As part of this project, it is the
long-term goal to (re)construct every single known
piece of equipment a mounted warrior like this
would have had and to present it in a museum
context at the World Heritage Site. In a first
step, a team of craftspeople, archaeologists and
archaeotechnicians worked on the (re)construction
of a Carolingian damask spatha found near
Mannheim-Neckarau in 1932. This paper presents
the results of a first phase in which it was the main
goal to get an idea of the techniques and material
used to create this extraordinary sword. The usage
of modern tools and other auxiliaries was in this
case allowed. A yet to be accomplished second
phase of the project then wants to craft a second
(re)construction under authentic basic conditions.
in the field of agriculture. This paper addresses
the question on how medieval farmers and the
manorial system might have coped with situations
like this. Did medieval subsistence strategies like
risk minimization result in advantages which could
be of use for modern agriculture? The Lauresham
Open-Air Laboratory for Experimental Archaeology
at the UNESCO World Heritage Site Lorsch Abbey
in Southern Germany delivers valuable answers
to questions like this. As a scale 1:1 model of
an Early Medieval manor it functions as a vast
basis for experiments in the fi eld of Experimental
Archaeology, Agriculture and Ancient Crafts.
On almost more than one hectare, the Open Air
Laboratory conducts experiments on the function,
advantages and disadvantages of different field
systems of the Early Middle Ages including ridge and
furrows. Using (re)constructed medieval ploughs
and draft cattle, it is the goal to create as authentic
conditions as possible for the scientific experiments.
A professional weather station, soil analysis,
growth monitoring of the diff erent crops and the
calculation of the maximum draft power needed
for the various agricultural implements all allow
deep and new insights on the value of medieval
subsistence strategies for 21st century agriculture.
Books by Claus Kropp
archaeological feature which refl ect an agricultural
field type which was widely common until the 19th
century. Today there are nonetheless many open
research questions concerning the actual use, function
and interpretation of ridge and furrows within Medieval
agriculture. The Lauresham Open-Air Laboratory
together with the Martin-Luther-University Halle-
Wittenberg is therefore conducting therefore large scale
field studies with (re)constructed and newly created
ridge and furrows systems on site. Both institutions not
only hope to widen our historical knowledge on this
field system but to possibly give relevant impulses to
21st century sustainable farming.
known archaeological features within Early Medieval
settlement archaeology. Nevetheless not much is known
concerning the specifi c function and interpretation of
these house types. A new research project at the Open-
Air Laboratory Lauresham is trying to counter this using
an experimental archaeological approach.
landscapes of Europe and beyond. With the Auerrind-
Project, the Open-Air Laboratory Lauresham both aims
to widen our knowledge of wild Aurochs in the holocene
and to give visitors answers to the question, what
wilderness and nature in the Early Middle Ages meant
and how aurochs played an important role culturally
(prestige hunting, domestication e.g.) and naturally (as
large grazers). With fi rst results already appearing, the
project follows three paths to fulfi l its general aims:
breeding an aurochslike cattle breed, research and
natural grazing.
Claus Kropp / Dieter Lammers
role within the framework of Carolingian warfare.
As part of their duties (militia) they had to equip
and provide mounted and armoured warriors
(loricati milites; German “Panzerreiter”) for the
imperial army. With a new and interdisciplinary
research project, the UNESCO World heritage
site Lorsch Abbey together with the Lauresham
Open-Air Laboratory tries to find out more about
social status, appearance and the equipment of
said “Panzerreiter”. As part of this project, it is the
long-term goal to (re)construct every single known
piece of equipment a mounted warrior like this
would have had and to present it in a museum
context at the World Heritage Site. In a first
step, a team of craftspeople, archaeologists and
archaeotechnicians worked on the (re)construction
of a Carolingian damask spatha found near
Mannheim-Neckarau in 1932. This paper presents
the results of a first phase in which it was the main
goal to get an idea of the techniques and material
used to create this extraordinary sword. The usage
of modern tools and other auxiliaries was in this
case allowed. A yet to be accomplished second
phase of the project then wants to craft a second
(re)construction under authentic basic conditions.
in the field of agriculture. This paper addresses
the question on how medieval farmers and the
manorial system might have coped with situations
like this. Did medieval subsistence strategies like
risk minimization result in advantages which could
be of use for modern agriculture? The Lauresham
Open-Air Laboratory for Experimental Archaeology
at the UNESCO World Heritage Site Lorsch Abbey
in Southern Germany delivers valuable answers
to questions like this. As a scale 1:1 model of
an Early Medieval manor it functions as a vast
basis for experiments in the fi eld of Experimental
Archaeology, Agriculture and Ancient Crafts.
On almost more than one hectare, the Open Air
Laboratory conducts experiments on the function,
advantages and disadvantages of different field
systems of the Early Middle Ages including ridge and
furrows. Using (re)constructed medieval ploughs
and draft cattle, it is the goal to create as authentic
conditions as possible for the scientific experiments.
A professional weather station, soil analysis,
growth monitoring of the diff erent crops and the
calculation of the maximum draft power needed
for the various agricultural implements all allow
deep and new insights on the value of medieval
subsistence strategies for 21st century agriculture.