The Early Middle Ages

The houses consist of regional and renewable resources. Without knowing it, our ancestors already built eco homes that were also fully compostable and recyclable.

Despite the simple techniques, the people were perfectly proficient in carpentry. As wood and straw had been the basic materials for centuries, they used knacks and tricks in everyday life that we have to work out again today.

Thatched roofs and wood shingles, wattle-and-daub walls, post technique and log construction – everything is re-discovered, tested and used. As there are no plans or real buildings from this period, we have to gather all details with the help of archaeology and other sciences. For this, we benefit from the cooperation with other museums and the Bavarian State Office for the Preservation of Historical Monuments (Landesamt für Denkmalpflege). All parties involved enjoy this lively exchange and every small success raises the motivation for new goals. The Via Carolina Society is sure that specialists in wattle, wood, stone and daub construction will soon emerge.

 The centre of the village is the longhouse which is the domicile of the most powerful man, assembly room and banqueting hall all in one. Whereas the hall is built in daub technique, the living area is made from planks, a more elaborate construction. Just like all other houses, this one is not fitted with a chimney either. The smoke from the fireplace spreads under the roof and finds its way through the openings on the gable ends.

Size and facilities of the other houses reveal their inhabitants’ wealth and status. The log house and the post-built houses with daub walls almost give a cosy impression thanks to their fireplaces and cob ovens. To us it only appears a little bit dark, as there are only few and small windows. Without glass, they only constitute holes in the protecting walls and wherever light came in, this meant that heat escaped. So, people did without this luxury.
A pit house may appear dark and uncomfortable to us at first sight because of its crouched form that is partly buried in the ground. In fact, it offered a better shelter against wind and weather and therefore enough convenience. Furthermore, pit houses served as workshops and stocks.