Early medieval agriculture
Archaeological and “classic” open-air museums can make a contribution in this context that should not be underestimated. The cultivation of old varieties and the demonstration of traditional cultivation and farming methods at such facilities significantly help to preserve old cultural practices and at the same time build a bridge to the 21st century. The Lauresham open-air Laboratory for Experimental Archaeology is a suitable project in relation to medieval agriculture. Since 2016, a large number of different research experiments have been carried out here in cooperation with various partners in Germany and abroad. Several projects are particularly concerned with early medieval agriculture.
The project currently works together with two partners: the Förderkreis Große Pflanzenfresser im Kreis Bergstraße e.V. (Large Herbivore association; www.cachena.de). There are currently more than three breeding herds active with a total number of almost twenty individuals. The herds consist out of five different breeds: Chianina, Sayaguesa, Hungarian Grey, Maremmana primitive and Watussi.
For more information please visit the project-website: www.auerrind.de
The project
Until its extinction in the 17th century, the aurochs shaped the ecosystems it inhabited like hardly any other large herbivore. Through its feeding behavior, it created semi-open landscapes that were characterized by a particularly high diversity of species. Today, these species-rich habitats have all but disappeared in Europe.
The aurochs project at the Lauresham Open-Air Laboratory aims to breed a breed of cattle that is as close as possible to the aurochs in terms of appearance, behavior and genetics. The orientation towards the wild form aims to breed animals that are particularly suitable for near-natural, extensive year-round grazing projects in nature conservation and landscape development and at the same time represent an important building block for practical educational work on the subject of wilderness and hunting in the early Middle Ages at the open-air laboratory.
Breeding plan
The Auerrind project is first and foremost a classic breeding project. Based on the latest scientific findings, a search was made for cattle breeds that are still quite close to the aurochs genetically, phenotypically or due to their behavior. At the same time, it is the declared aim of the project to keep the number of founder breeds as low as possible in order to achieve the greatest possible degree of homogeneity in the crossbred animals within a medium-term framework of 10-20 years.
Five breeds are currently being used for the breeding project:
Chianina
Maremmana
Sayaguesa
Watussi
Hungarian steppe cattle
Research
In addition to the actual breeding project, the aurochs cattle project aims to consolidate our knowledge of the aurochs by conducting scientific studies on Holocene aurochs bones. Cooperation with research institutions for the aDNA analysis of selected bone finds is also planned.
Project partners
A large number of different partners are required for the project to succeed. The following are currently involved in active breeding work:
Förderkreis Große Pflanzenfresser im Kreis Bergstraße e.V. Landschaftspflegebetrieb Hohmeyer www.cachena.de
Schwarzach Wildlife Park www.wildpark-schwarzach.de
Info and contact
Find out more about this fascinating research and breeding project and visit us online at www.auerrind.de
You can also find us on: Facebook Twitter@auerrind
Instagram @auerrind
Project address
Administration of the State Palaces and Gardens
Freilichtlabor Lauresham (Laboratory for Experimental Archaeology)
-Auerrind project-
Claus Kropp
Nibelungenstr. 32
64653 Lorsch
Tel: 06251-51446
E.Mail: c.kropp@kloster-lorsch.de
The project currently works together with two partners: the Förderkreis Große Pflanzenfresser im Kreis Bergstraße e.V. (Large Herbivore association; www.cachena.de). There are currently more than three breeding herds active with a total number of almost twenty individuals. The herds consist out of five different breeds: Chianina, Sayaguesa, Hungarian Grey, Maremmana primitive and Watussi.
For more information please visit the project-website: www.auerrind.de
The project currently works together with two partners: the Förderkreis Große Pflanzenfresser im Kreis Bergstraße e.V. (Large Herbivore association; www.cachena.de). There are currently more than three breeding herds active with a total number of almost twenty individuals. The herds consist out of five different breeds: Chianina, Sayaguesa, Hungarian Grey, Maremmana primitive and Watussi.
For more information please visit the project-website: www.auerrind.de
Field shapes
In order to be able to reconstruct early medieval agriculture, Lauresham also researches and cultivates the type of land known as “ridge and furrows” (“Wölbäcker” in German), which has now completely disappeared from agriculture. Questions about the advantages and disadvantages of this type of field, suitable management strategies, differences in plant growth in the furrow and on the ridge, but also the comparison with the well-known and classic form of the “Blockflur” (block field pattern) can thus be investigated.
Ridge and furrows – “Wölbäcker”
So-called “Wölbäcker” are among the most important examples of historical agriculture in Central Europe and were widespread in the Middle Ages. The shape of the field, which bears this name because of its characteristic curvature, is commonly believed to have been created primarily by plowing the clods together on the field with a mouldboard plow. Even today, medieval ridge and furrows are mostly found under the afforested forest of the 18th and 19th century. The field relics, which are up to 12-15 meters wide, up to one meter high and sometimes over 1000 meters long, can be easily captured using the airborne laser scanning method and can be seen as parallel structures in the terrain. Despite various studies, the origin, cultivation, use and utilization or even the ownership of the broad and elongated fields have not yet been conclusively clarified.
For further information:
Kropp, Claus; Schabacker, Jens and Wiedner, Katja: Wölbäcker – Altes Wissen neu entdecken, in: Laureshamensia. Research reports of the Experimental Archaeological Open-Air Laboratory Carolingian Manor Lauresham 1 (2017), pp. 66-69.
The following clip from the “Lauresham digital” series also provides an insight into the research project:
Today, research into modern agriculture is carried out not only at universities, but also at teaching and research institutes and other institutions. The focus is often on the development of new varieties, new cultivation methods in conventional or organic farming, the development of resistance to certain diseases or animal breeding. Medieval agriculture and the subsistence strategies associated with it, on the other hand, are the subject of few if any research projects within modern agricultural research.
Archaeological and “classic” open-air museums can make a contribution in this context that should not be underestimated. The cultivation of old varieties and the demonstration of traditional cultivation and farming methods at such facilities significantly help to preserve old cultural practices and at the same time build a bridge to the 21st century. The Lauresham Experimental Archaeological Open-Air Laboratory is a suitable project in relation to medieval agriculture. Since 2016, a large number of different research experiments have been carried out here at Lauresham in cooperation with various partners in Germany and abroad. Several projects are particularly concerned with early medieval agriculture.
Today, research into modern agriculture is carried out not only at universities, but also at teaching and research institutes and other institutions. The focus is often on the development of new varieties, new cultivation methods in conventional or organic farming, the development of resistance to certain diseases or animal breeding. Medieval agriculture and the subsistence strategies associated with it, on the other hand, are the subject of few if any research projects within modern agricultural research.
Archaeological and “classic” open-air museums can make a contribution in this context that should not be underestimated. The cultivation of old varieties and the demonstration of traditional cultivation and farming methods at such facilities significantly help to preserve old cultural practices and at the same time build a bridge to the 21st century. The Lauresham Experimental Archaeological Open-Air Laboratory is a suitable project in relation to medieval agriculture. Since 2016, a large number of different research experiments have been carried out here at Lauresham in cooperation with various partners in Germany and abroad. Several projects are particularly concerned with early medieval agriculture.
The project currently works together with two partners: the Förderkreis Große Pflanzenfresser im Kreis Bergstraße e.V. (Large Herbivore association; www.cachena.de). There are currently more than three breeding herds active with a total number of almost twenty individuals. The herds consist out of five different breeds: Chianina, Sayaguesa, Hungarian Grey, Maremmana primitive and Watussi.
For more information please visit the project-website: www.auerrind.de
The project
Until its extinction in the 17th century, the aurochs shaped the ecosystems it inhabited like hardly any other large herbivore. Through its feeding behavior, it created semi-open landscapes that were characterized by a particularly high diversity of species. Today, these species-rich habitats have all but disappeared in Europe.
The aurochs project at the Lauresham Open-Air Laboratory aims to breed a breed of cattle that is as close as possible to the aurochs in terms of appearance, behavior and genetics. The orientation towards the wild form aims to breed animals that are particularly suitable for near-natural, extensive year-round grazing projects in nature conservation and landscape development and at the same time represent an important building block for practical educational work on the subject of wilderness and hunting in the early Middle Ages at the open-air laboratory.
Breeding plan
The Auerrind project is first and foremost a classic breeding project. Based on the latest scientific findings, a search was made for cattle breeds that are still quite close to the aurochs genetically, phenotypically or due to their behavior. At the same time, it is the declared aim of the project to keep the number of founder breeds as low as possible in order to achieve the greatest possible degree of homogeneity in the crossbred animals within a medium-term framework of 10-20 years.
Five breeds are currently being used for the breeding project:
Chianina
Maremmana
Sayaguesa
Watussi
Hungarian steppe cattle
Research
In addition to the actual breeding project, the aurochs cattle project aims to consolidate our knowledge of the aurochs by conducting scientific studies on Holocene aurochs bones. Cooperation with research institutions for the aDNA analysis of selected bone finds is also planned.
Project partners
A large number of different partners are required for the project to succeed. The following are currently involved in active breeding work:
Förderkreis Große Pflanzenfresser im Kreis Bergstraße e.V. Landschaftspflegebetrieb Hohmeyer www.cachena.de
Schwarzach Wildlife Park www.wildpark-schwarzach.de
Info and contact
Find out more about this fascinating research and breeding project and visit us online at www.auerrind.de
You can also find us on: Facebook Twitter@auerrind
Instagram @auerrind
Project address
Administration of the State Palaces and Gardens
Freilichtlabor Lauresham (Laboratory for Experimental Archaeology)
-Auerrind project-
Claus Kropp
Nibelungenstr. 32
64653 Lorsch
Tel: 06251-51446
E.Mail: c.kropp@kloster-lorsch.de
The project currently works together with two partners: the Förderkreis Große Pflanzenfresser im Kreis Bergstraße e.V. (Large Herbivore association; www.cachena.de). There are currently more than three breeding herds active with a total number of almost twenty individuals. The herds consist out of five different breeds: Chianina, Sayaguesa, Hungarian Grey, Maremmana primitive and Watussi.
For more information please visit the project-website: www.auerrind.de
The project currently works together with two partners: the Förderkreis Große Pflanzenfresser im Kreis Bergstraße e.V. (Large Herbivore association; www.cachena.de). There are currently more than three breeding herds active with a total number of almost twenty individuals. The herds consist out of five different breeds: Chianina, Sayaguesa, Hungarian Grey, Maremmana primitive and Watussi.
For more information please visit the project-website: www.auerrind.de
“Blockfluren”
In addition to the cultivation of the ridge and furrows, the open-air laboratory also researches the cultivation of so-called “Blockfluren”. These mostly square fields are created by cultivation using an ard plow with a symmetrical plowshare. Due to the incomplete turning of the clods, “cross plowing” is necessary, which leads to the characteristic shape. The block fields cultivated at Lauresham are integrated into the three-field system.
Today, research into modern agriculture is carried out not only at universities, but also at teaching and research institutes and other institutions. The focus is often on the development of new varieties, new cultivation methods in conventional or organic farming, the development of resistance to certain diseases or animal breeding. Medieval agriculture and the subsistence strategies associated with it, on the other hand, are the subject of few if any research projects within modern agricultural research.
Archaeological and “classic” open-air museums can make a contribution in this context that should not be underestimated. The cultivation of old varieties and the demonstration of traditional cultivation and farming methods at such facilities significantly help to preserve old cultural practices and at the same time build a bridge to the 21st century. The Lauresham Experimental Archaeological Open-Air Laboratory is a suitable project in relation to medieval agriculture. Since 2016, a large number of different research experiments have been carried out here at Lauresham in cooperation with various partners in Germany and abroad. Several projects are particularly concerned with early medieval agriculture.
Today, research into modern agriculture is carried out not only at universities, but also at teaching and research institutes and other institutions. The focus is often on the development of new varieties, new cultivation methods in conventional or organic farming, the development of resistance to certain diseases or animal breeding. Medieval agriculture and the subsistence strategies associated with it, on the other hand, are the subject of few if any research projects within modern agricultural research.
Archaeological and “classic” open-air museums can make a contribution in this context that should not be underestimated. The cultivation of old varieties and the demonstration of traditional cultivation and farming methods at such facilities significantly help to preserve old cultural practices and at the same time build a bridge to the 21st century. The Lauresham Experimental Archaeological Open-Air Laboratory is a suitable project in relation to medieval agriculture. Since 2016, a large number of different research experiments have been carried out here at Lauresham in cooperation with various partners in Germany and abroad. Several projects are particularly concerned with early medieval agriculture.
The project currently works together with two partners: the Förderkreis Große Pflanzenfresser im Kreis Bergstraße e.V. (Large Herbivore association; www.cachena.de). There are currently more than three breeding herds active with a total number of almost twenty individuals. The herds consist out of five different breeds: Chianina, Sayaguesa, Hungarian Grey, Maremmana primitive and Watussi.
For more information please visit the project-website: www.auerrind.de
The project
Until its extinction in the 17th century, the aurochs shaped the ecosystems it inhabited like hardly any other large herbivore. Through its feeding behavior, it created semi-open landscapes that were characterized by a particularly high diversity of species. Today, these species-rich habitats have all but disappeared in Europe.
The aurochs project at the Lauresham Open-Air Laboratory aims to breed a breed of cattle that comes as close as possible to the aurochs in terms of appearance, behavior and genetics. The orientation towards the wild form aims to breed animals that are particularly suitable for near-natural, extensive year-round grazing projects in nature conservation and landscape development and at the same time represent an important building block for practical educational work on the subject of wilderness and hunting in the early Middle Ages at the open-air laboratory.
Breeding plan
The Auerrind project is first and foremost a classic breeding project. Based on the latest scientific findings, a search was made for cattle breeds that are still quite close to the aurochs genetically, phenotypically or due to their behavior. At the same time, it is the declared aim of the project to keep the number of founder breeds as low as possible in order to achieve the greatest possible degree of homogeneity in the crossbred animals within a medium-term framework of 10-20 years.
Five breeds are currently being used for the breeding project:
Chianina
Maremmana
Sayaguesa
Watussi
Hungarian steppe cattle
Research
In addition to the actual breeding project, the aurochs project aims to consolidate knowledge about the aurochs through scientific studies on Holocene aurochs bones. Cooperation with research institutions for the aDNA analysis of selected bone finds is also planned.
Project partners
A large number of different partners are required for the project to succeed. The following are currently involved in active breeding work:
Förderkreis Große Pflanzenfresser im Kreis Bergstraße e.V. Landschaftspflegebetrieb Hohmeyer www.cachena.de
Schwarzach Wildlife Park www.wildpark-schwarzach.de
Info and contact
Find out more about this fascinating research and breeding project and visit us online at www.auerrind.de
You can also find us on: Facebook Twitter@auerrind
Instagram @auerrind
Project address
Administration of the State Palaces and Gardens
Freilichtlabor Lauresham (Laboratory for Experimental Archaeology)
-Auerrind project-
Claus Kropp
Nibelungenstr. 32
64653 Lorsch
Tel: 06251-51446
E.Mail: c.kropp@kloster-lorsch.de
The project currently works together with two partners: the Förderkreis Große Pflanzenfresser im Kreis Bergstraße e.V. (Large Herbivore association; www.cachena.de). There are currently more than three breeding herds active with a total number of almost twenty individuals. The herds consist out of five different breeds: Chianina, Sayaguesa, Hungarian Grey, Maremmana primitive and Watussi.
For more information please visit the project-website: www.auerrind.de
The project currently works together with two partners: the Förderkreis Große Pflanzenfresser im Kreis Bergstraße e.V. (Large Herbivore association; www.cachena.de). There are currently more than three breeding herds active with a total number of almost twenty individuals. The herds consist out of five different breeds: Chianina, Sayaguesa, Hungarian Grey, Maremmana primitive and Watussi.
For more information please visit the project-website: www.auerrind.de
Agricultural implements
In addition to research into reconstructed, archaeologically proven field forms, the second important pillar in the study of early medieval agriculture is the use of historical agricultural implements. Various ard and mouldboard plows are used for this purpose, some of which are reconstructed here at Lauresham on the basis of historical sources. Wooden harrows are also used to loosen the soil. The experiments involve, for example, finding out more about the tools used and documenting signs of wear and tear (for example on the plowshares). The open-air laboratory now has a total of four (re)constructed ard and mouldboard plows. A first generation of plow (re)constructions was primarily based on functional aspects and was basically intended to make the functioning of the respective plowshares comprehensible in an ideal way. A second generation from 2017 now relies more heavily on research into specific Southern German models and on replicating and expanding the series of experiments carried out by Grith Lerche in the 1970s and 1980s on the use of medieval mouldboard plows. The EXARC Twinning project, which has been running since 2019, also deals with the research of early medieval Irish plows and their detailed, experimental archaeological (re)construction.
Today, research into modern agriculture is carried out not only at universities, but also at teaching and research institutes and other institutions. The focus is often on the development of new varieties, new cultivation methods in conventional or organic farming, the development of resistance to certain diseases or animal breeding. In contrast, medieval agriculture and the subsistence strategies associated with it are rarely, if ever, the subject of research projects within modern agricultural research.
Archaeological and “classic” open-air museums can make a contribution in this context that should not be underestimated. The cultivation of old varieties and the demonstration of traditional cultivation and farming methods at such facilities significantly help to preserve old cultural practices and at the same time build a bridge to the 21st century. The Lauresham Experimental Archaeological Open-Air Laboratory is a suitable project in relation to medieval agriculture. Since 2016, a large number of different research experiments have been carried out here at Lauresham in cooperation with various partners in Germany and abroad. Several projects are particularly concerned with early medieval agriculture.
Today, research into modern agriculture is carried out not only at universities, but also at teaching and research institutes and other institutions. The focus is often on the development of new varieties, new cultivation methods in conventional or organic farming, the development of resistance to certain diseases or animal breeding. Medieval agriculture and the subsistence strategies associated with it, on the other hand, are the subject of few if any research projects within modern agricultural research.
Archaeological and “classic” open-air museums can make a contribution in this context that should not be underestimated. The cultivation of old varieties and the demonstration of traditional cultivation and farming methods at such facilities significantly help to preserve old cultural practices and at the same time build a bridge to the 21st century. The Lauresham Experimental Archaeological Open-Air Laboratory is a suitable project in relation to medieval agriculture. Since 2016, a large number of different research experiments have been carried out here at Lauresham in cooperation with various partners in Germany and abroad. Several projects are particularly concerned with early medieval agriculture.
The project currently works together with two partners: the Förderkreis Große Pflanzenfresser im Kreis Bergstraße e.V. (Large Herbivore association; www.cachena.de). There are currently more than three breeding herds active with a total number of almost twenty individuals. The herds consist out of five different breeds: Chianina, Sayaguesa, Hungarian Grey, Maremmana primitive and Watussi.
For more information please visit the project-website: www.auerrind.de
The project
Until its extinction in the 17th century, the aurochs shaped the ecosystems it inhabited like hardly any other large herbivore. Through its feeding behavior, it created semi-open landscapes that were characterized by a particularly high diversity of species. Today, these species-rich habitats have all but disappeared in Europe.
The aurochs project at the Lauresham Open-Air Laboratory aims to breed a breed of cattle that comes as close as possible to the aurochs in terms of appearance, behavior and genetics. The orientation towards the wild form aims to breed animals that are particularly suitable for near-natural, extensive year-round grazing projects in nature conservation and landscape development and at the same time represent an important building block for practical educational work on the subject of wilderness and hunting in the early Middle Ages at the open-air laboratory.
Breeding plan
The Auerrind project is first and foremost a classic breeding project. Based on the latest scientific findings, a search was made for cattle breeds that are still quite close to the aurochs genetically, phenotypically or due to their behavior. At the same time, it is the declared aim of the project to keep the number of founder breeds as low as possible in order to achieve the greatest possible degree of homogeneity in the crossbred animals within a medium-term framework of 10-20 years.
Five breeds are currently being used for the breeding project:
Chianina
Maremmana
Sayaguesa
Watussi
Hungarian steppe cattle
Research
In addition to the actual breeding project, the aurochs project aims to consolidate knowledge about the aurochs through scientific studies on Holocene aurochs bones. Cooperation with research institutions for the aDNA analysis of selected bone finds is also planned.
Project partners
A large number of different partners are required for the project to succeed. The following are currently involved in active breeding work:
Förderkreis Große Pflanzenfresser im Kreis Bergstraße e.V. Landschaftspflegebetrieb Hohmeyer www.cachena.de
Schwarzach Wildlife Park www.wildpark-schwarzach.de
Info and contact
Find out more about this fascinating research and breeding project and visit us online at www.auerrind.de
You can also find us on: Facebook Twitter@auerrind
Instagram @auerrind
Project address
Administration of the State Palaces and Gardens
Freilichtlabor Lauresham (Laboratory for Experimental Archaeology)
-Auerrind project-
Claus Kropp
Nibelungenstr. 32
64653 Lorsch
Tel: 06251-51446
E.Mail: c.kropp@kloster-lorsch.de
The project currently works together with two partners: the Förderkreis Große Pflanzenfresser im Kreis Bergstraße e.V. (Large Herbivore association; www.cachena.de). There are currently more than three breeding herds active with a total number of almost twenty individuals. The herds consist out of five different breeds: Chianina, Sayaguesa, Hungarian Grey, Maremmana primitive and Watussi.
For more information please visit the project-website: www.auerrind.de
The project currently works together with two partners: the Förderkreis Große Pflanzenfresser im Kreis Bergstraße e.V. (Large Herbivore association; www.cachena.de). There are currently more than three breeding herds active with a total number of almost twenty individuals. The herds consist out of five different breeds: Chianina, Sayaguesa, Hungarian Grey, Maremmana primitive and Watussi.
For more information please visit the project-website: www.auerrind.de
Animal traction
Another aspect of reconstructing early medieval agriculture as authentically as possible is the use of draft cattle. In this context, questions about the draft power and the advantages and disadvantages of using draft cattle – especially in connection with medieval field forms and agricultural implements – can be answered.
One of the main projects at the Lauresham open-air Laboratory is a series of tests on the maximum and average draft performance of cattle on (re)constructed medieval ard and mouldboard plows and various harrows. One aim of the research is, for example, to gain a deeper understanding of how many draft animals were needed for the various tasks in early medieval agriculture. In most cases, the written sources do not provide sufficient information.
Two breeding cows and three oxen of the breed “Rätisches Grauvieh” are used as draft animals. Due to its size and the rest of its phenotype and character, this small Swiss high-mountain breed is particularly suitable for giving visitors to the open-air laboratory an impression of what medieval cattle might have looked like. Based on the archaeozoological data, the cows with a maximum height at the withers of 115 cm represent large types of medieval cattle. This must always be taken into account in any traction tests. The animals are trained in the open-air laboratory itself. During the test series, the largest possible grid of different test parameters is documented so that the actual measurement with a traction scale can always be contextualized with the current weather conditions and the traction method. Furthermore, the open-air laboratory is in contact with other institutions and private individuals who work with draught cattle and practices a lively exchange of experience within the framework of the “IG Zugrinder”.
Today, research into modern agriculture is carried out not only at universities, but also at teaching and research institutes and other institutions. The focus is often on the development of new varieties, new cultivation methods in conventional or organic farming, the development of resistance to certain diseases or animal breeding. In contrast, medieval agriculture and the subsistence strategies associated with it are rarely, if ever, the subject of research projects within modern agricultural research.
Archaeological and “classic” open-air museums can make a contribution in this context that should not be underestimated. The cultivation of old varieties and the demonstration of traditional cultivation and farming methods at such facilities significantly help to preserve old cultural practices and at the same time build a bridge to the 21st century. The Lauresham Experimental Archaeological Open-Air Laboratory is a suitable project in relation to medieval agriculture. Since 2016, a large number of different research experiments have been carried out here at Lauresham in cooperation with various partners in Germany and abroad. Several projects are particularly concerned with early medieval agriculture.
Today, research into modern agriculture is carried out not only at universities, but also at teaching and research institutes and other institutions. The focus is often on the development of new varieties, new cultivation methods in conventional or organic farming, the development of resistance to certain diseases or animal breeding. Medieval agriculture and the subsistence strategies associated with it, on the other hand, are the subject of few if any research projects within modern agricultural research.
Archaeological and “classic” open-air museums can make a contribution in this context that should not be underestimated. The cultivation of old varieties and the demonstration of traditional cultivation and farming methods at such facilities significantly help to preserve old cultural practices and at the same time build a bridge to the 21st century. The Lauresham Experimental Archaeological Open-Air Laboratory is a suitable project in relation to medieval agriculture. Since 2016, a large number of different research experiments have been carried out here at Lauresham in cooperation with various partners in Germany and abroad. Several projects are particularly concerned with early medieval agriculture.
The project currently works together with two partners: the Förderkreis Große Pflanzenfresser im Kreis Bergstraße e.V. (Large Herbivore association; www.cachena.de). There are currently more than three breeding herds active with a total number of almost twenty individuals. The herds consist out of five different breeds: Chianina, Sayaguesa, Hungarian Grey, Maremmana primitive and Watussi.
For more information please visit the project-website: www.auerrind.de
The project
Until its extinction in the 17th century, the aurochs shaped the ecosystems it inhabited like hardly any other large herbivore. Through its feeding behavior, it created semi-open landscapes that were characterized by a particularly high diversity of species. Today, these species-rich habitats have all but disappeared in Europe.
The aurochs project at the Lauresham Open-Air Laboratory aims to breed a breed of cattle that is as close as possible to the aurochs in terms of appearance, behavior and genetics. The orientation towards the wild form aims to breed animals that are particularly suitable for near-natural, extensive year-round grazing projects in nature conservation and landscape development and at the same time represent an important building block for practical educational work on the subject of wilderness and hunting in the early Middle Ages at the open-air laboratory.
Breeding plan
The Auerrind project is first and foremost a classic breeding project. Based on the latest scientific findings, a search was made for cattle breeds that are still quite close to the aurochs genetically, phenotypically or due to their behavior. At the same time, it is the declared aim of the project to keep the number of founder breeds as low as possible in order to achieve the greatest possible degree of homogeneity in the crossbred animals within a medium-term framework of 10-20 years.
Five breeds are currently being used for the breeding project:
Chianina
Maremmana
Sayaguesa
Watussi
Hungarian steppe cattle
Research
In addition to the actual breeding project, the aurochs cattle project aims to consolidate our knowledge of the aurochs by conducting scientific studies on Holocene aurochs bones. Cooperation with research institutions for the aDNA analysis of selected bone finds is also planned.
Project partners
A large number of different partners are required for the project to succeed. The following are currently involved in active breeding work:
Förderkreis Große Pflanzenfresser im Kreis Bergstraße e.V. Landschaftspflegebetrieb Hohmeyer www.cachena.de
Schwarzach Wildlife Park www.wildpark-schwarzach.de
Info and contact
Find out more about this fascinating research and breeding project and visit us online at www.auerrind.de
You can also find us on: Facebook Twitter@auerrind
Instagram @auerrind
Project address
Administration of the State Palaces and Gardens
Freilichtlabor Lauresham (Laboratory for Experimental Archaeology)
-Auerrind project-
Claus Kropp
Nibelungenstr. 32
64653 Lorsch
Tel: 06251-51446
E.Mail: c.kropp@kloster-lorsch.de
The project currently works together with two partners: the Förderkreis Große Pflanzenfresser im Kreis Bergstraße e.V. (Large Herbivore association; www.cachena.de). There are currently more than three breeding herds active with a total number of almost twenty individuals. The herds consist out of five different breeds: Chianina, Sayaguesa, Hungarian Grey, Maremmana primitive and Watussi.
For more information please visit the project-website: www.auerrind.de
The project currently works together with two partners: the Förderkreis Große Pflanzenfresser im Kreis Bergstraße e.V. (Large Herbivore association; www.cachena.de). There are currently more than three breeding herds active with a total number of almost twenty individuals. The herds consist out of five different breeds: Chianina, Sayaguesa, Hungarian Grey, Maremmana primitive and Watussi.
For more information please visit the project-website: www.auerrind.de
Long-term monitoring
BBCH scale:
The different landforms and the “Wölbacker” in particular as well as the fertilized and non-fertilized areas of the land, may have an effect on the growth of the crops. In combination with data from the weather station, the open-air laboratory hopes to be able to record long data series in order to better understand plant growth on early medieval landforms. The BBCH scale, which provides information on the morphological development stage of plants and is regularly recorded in our fields, helps with this.
Yield analysis:
In order to be able to assess the effect of fertilization and possible nutrient distribution/storage within a ridge and furrow field, fertilized and non-fertilized soil fields are defined. In addition to soil-chemical parameters, further investigations also concern (micro-)climatic soil conditions within the “Wölbacker” fields as well as crop yields.
The project group hopes that this will also provide answers to the following questions: How do the growing conditions (yields) of the plants and the development of weeds and pests differ in the furrows and on the ridges? What yield increase can be achieved through organic fertilization? Are there nutrient enrichments/displacements within the “Wölbacker” system over time?
Today, research into modern agriculture is carried out not only at universities, but also at teaching and research institutes and other institutions. The focus is often on the development of new varieties, new cultivation methods in conventional or organic farming, the development of resistance to certain diseases or animal breeding. Medieval agriculture and the subsistence strategies associated with it, on the other hand, are the subject of few if any research projects within modern agricultural research.
Archaeological and “classic” open-air museums can make a contribution in this context that should not be underestimated. The cultivation of old varieties and the demonstration of traditional cultivation and farming methods at such facilities significantly help to preserve old cultural practices and at the same time build a bridge to the 21st century. The Lauresham Experimental Archaeological Open-Air Laboratory is a suitable project in relation to medieval agriculture. Since 2016, a large number of different research experiments have been carried out here at Lauresham in cooperation with various partners in Germany and abroad. Several projects are particularly concerned with early medieval agriculture.
Today, research into modern agriculture is carried out not only at universities, but also at teaching and research institutes and other institutions. The focus is often on the development of new varieties, new cultivation methods in conventional or organic farming, the development of resistance to certain diseases or animal breeding. In contrast, medieval agriculture and the subsistence strategies associated with it are rarely, if ever, the subject of research projects within modern agricultural research.
Archaeological and “classic” open-air museums can make a contribution in this context that should not be underestimated. The cultivation of old varieties and the demonstration of traditional cultivation and farming methods at such facilities significantly help to preserve old cultural practices and at the same time build a bridge to the 21st century. The Lauresham Experimental Archaeological Open-Air Laboratory is a suitable project in relation to medieval agriculture. Since 2016, a large number of different research experiments have been carried out here at Lauresham in cooperation with various partners in Germany and abroad. Several projects are particularly concerned with early medieval agriculture.
The project currently works together with two partners: the Förderkreis Große Pflanzenfresser im Kreis Bergstraße e.V. (Large Herbivore association; www.cachena.de). There are currently more than three breeding herds active with a total number of almost twenty individuals. The herds consist out of five different breeds: Chianina, Sayaguesa, Hungarian Grey, Maremmana primitive and Watussi.
For more information please visit the project-website: www.auerrind.de
The project
Until its extinction in the 17th century, the aurochs shaped the ecosystems it inhabited like hardly any other large herbivore. Through its feeding behavior, it created semi-open landscapes that were characterized by a particularly high diversity of species. Today, these species-rich habitats have all but disappeared in Europe.
The aurochs project at the Lauresham Open-Air Laboratory aims to breed a breed of cattle that is as close as possible to the aurochs in terms of appearance, behavior and genetics. The orientation towards the wild form aims to breed animals that are particularly suitable for near-natural, extensive year-round grazing projects in nature conservation and landscape development and at the same time represent an important building block for practical educational work on the subject of wilderness and hunting in the early Middle Ages at the open-air laboratory.
Breeding plan
The Auerrind project is first and foremost a classic breeding project. Based on the latest scientific findings, a search was made for cattle breeds that are still quite close to the aurochs genetically, phenotypically or due to their behavior. At the same time, it is the declared aim of the project to keep the number of founder breeds as low as possible in order to achieve the greatest possible degree of homogeneity in the crossbred animals within a medium-term framework of 10-20 years.
Five breeds are currently being used for the breeding project:
Chianina
Maremmana
Sayaguesa
Watussi
Hungarian steppe cattle
Research
In addition to the actual breeding project, the aurochs cattle project aims to consolidate our knowledge of the aurochs by conducting scientific studies on Holocene aurochs bones. Cooperation with research institutions for the aDNA analysis of selected bone finds is also planned.
Project partners
A large number of different partners are required for the project to succeed. The following are currently involved in active breeding work:
Förderkreis Große Pflanzenfresser im Kreis Bergstraße e.V. Landschaftspflegebetrieb Hohmeyer www.cachena.de
Schwarzach Wildlife Park www.wildpark-schwarzach.de
Info and contact
Find out more about this fascinating research and breeding project and visit us online at www.auerrind.de
You can also find us on: Facebook Twitter@auerrind
Instagram @auerrind
Project address
Administration of the State Palaces and Gardens
Freilichtlabor Lauresham (Laboratory for Experimental Archaeology)
-Auerrind project-
Claus Kropp
Nibelungenstr. 32
64653 Lorsch
Tel: 06251-51446
E.Mail: c.kropp@kloster-lorsch.de
The project currently works together with two partners: the Förderkreis Große Pflanzenfresser im Kreis Bergstraße e.V. (Large Herbivore association; www.cachena.de). There are currently more than three breeding herds active with a total number of almost twenty individuals. The herds consist out of five different breeds: Chianina, Sayaguesa, Hungarian Grey, Maremmana primitive and Watussi.
For more information please visit the project-website: www.auerrind.de
The project currently works together with two partners: the Förderkreis Große Pflanzenfresser im Kreis Bergstraße e.V. (Large Herbivore association; www.cachena.de). There are currently more than three breeding herds active with a total number of almost twenty individuals. The herds consist out of five different breeds: Chianina, Sayaguesa, Hungarian Grey, Maremmana primitive and Watussi.
For more information please visit the project-website: www.auerrind.de
A first interim report on the investigations carried out at Lauresham can be found here:
Research reports of the Experimental Archaeological Open-Air Laboratory Carolingian Manor Lauresham
Today, research into modern agriculture is carried out not only at universities, but also at teaching and research institutes and other institutions. The focus is often on the development of new varieties, new cultivation methods in conventional or organic farming, the development of resistance to certain diseases or animal breeding. In contrast, medieval agriculture and the subsistence strategies associated with it are rarely, if ever, the subject of research projects within modern agricultural research.
Archaeological and “classic” open-air museums can make a contribution in this context that should not be underestimated. The cultivation of old varieties and the demonstration of traditional cultivation and farming methods at such facilities significantly help to preserve old cultural practices and at the same time build a bridge to the 21st century. The Lauresham Experimental Archaeological Open-Air Laboratory is a suitable project in relation to medieval agriculture. Since 2016, a large number of different research experiments have been carried out here at Lauresham in cooperation with various partners in Germany and abroad. Several projects are particularly concerned with early medieval agriculture.
The project currently works together with two partners: the Förderkreis Große Pflanzenfresser im Kreis Bergstraße e.V. (Large Herbivore association; www.cachena.de). There are currently more than three breeding herds active with a total number of almost twenty individuals. The herds consist out of five different breeds: Chianina, Sayaguesa, Hungarian Grey, Maremmana primitive and Watussi.
For more information please visit the project-website: www.auerrind.de
The project
Until its extinction in the 17th century, the aurochs shaped the ecosystems it inhabited like hardly any other large herbivore. Through its feeding behavior, it created semi-open landscapes that were characterized by a particularly high diversity of species. Today, these species-rich habitats have all but disappeared in Europe.
The aurochs project at the Lauresham Open-Air Laboratory aims to breed a breed of cattle that is as close as possible to the aurochs in terms of appearance, behavior and genetics. The orientation towards the wild form aims to breed animals that are particularly suitable for near-natural, extensive year-round grazing projects in nature conservation and landscape development and at the same time represent an important building block for practical educational work on the subject of wilderness and hunting in the early Middle Ages at the open-air laboratory.
Breeding plan
The Auerrind project is first and foremost a classic breeding project. Based on the latest scientific findings, a search was made for cattle breeds that are still quite close to the aurochs genetically, phenotypically or due to their behavior. At the same time, it is the declared aim of the project to keep the number of founder breeds as low as possible in order to achieve the greatest possible degree of homogeneity in the crossbred animals within a medium-term framework of 10-20 years.
Five breeds are currently being used for the breeding project:
Chianina
Maremmana
Sayaguesa
Watussi
Hungarian steppe cattle
Research
In addition to the actual breeding project, the aurochs cattle project aims to consolidate our knowledge of the aurochs by conducting scientific studies on Holocene aurochs bones. Cooperation with research institutions for the aDNA analysis of selected bone finds is also planned.
Project partners
A large number of different partners are required for the project to succeed. The following are currently involved in active breeding work:
Förderkreis Große Pflanzenfresser im Kreis Bergstraße e.V. Landschaftspflegebetrieb Hohmeyer www.cachena.de
Schwarzach Wildlife Park www.wildpark-schwarzach.de
Info and contact
Find out more about this fascinating research and breeding project and visit us online at www.auerrind.de
You can also find us on: Facebook Twitter@auerrind
Instagram @auerrind
Project address
Administration of the State Palaces and Gardens
Freilichtlabor Lauresham (Laboratory for Experimental Archaeology)
-Auerrind project-
Claus Kropp
Nibelungenstr. 32
64653 Lorsch
Tel: 06251-51446
E.Mail: c.kropp@kloster-lorsch.de
The project currently works together with two partners: the Förderkreis Große Pflanzenfresser im Kreis Bergstraße e.V. (Large Herbivore association; www.cachena.de). There are currently more than three breeding herds active with a total number of almost twenty individuals. The herds consist out of five different breeds: Chianina, Sayaguesa, Hungarian Grey, Maremmana primitive and Watussi.
For more information please visit the project-website: www.auerrind.de
The project currently works together with two partners: the Förderkreis Große Pflanzenfresser im Kreis Bergstraße e.V. (Large Herbivore association; www.cachena.de). There are currently more than three breeding herds active with a total number of almost twenty individuals. The herds consist out of five different breeds: Chianina, Sayaguesa, Hungarian Grey, Maremmana primitive and Watussi.
For more information please visit the project-website: www.auerrind.de
