Ridge and furrow

Wölbäcker, also called Hochäcker or arable raised beds, originated in the Middle Ages through the use of non- reversible plow shares.

Description

The iron plows were pulled by oxen or horses. You could apply the topsoil in only one direction, not like the later turning plow to the left as to the right. In order to have the plow team contact as seldom as possible, the corridors were created in the form of long fields. It had a width of a few meters, and lengths of 100 meters and more.

The farmer led his team were the first to middle furrow of the field. After that, immediately adjacent furrow plowing followed when returning to the "back side " of the first furrow. The next furrow ran back in the direction sense of the first furrow, at the "correct" side. It was important to turn the soil always Acker center. Through many years of plowing in this way more and more topsoil was moved to center field - the field center were increased, deepened the edges of the field. This peak heights were achieved of up to one meter. Often several Wölbäcker lay side by side in the association.

Background and finding places

The system of Wölbäckern is occupied for the early Middle Ages. Evidence of such land use in pre-Christian times, there is little, however, there is evidence that the transformation of arable block corridor began to Wölbackerflur in the pre-Roman Iron Age. Technically, the system of Wölbäckern was already possible at this time.

The purpose of Wölbäckern is controversial. As a possible end, the drainage of moist soils, the accumulation of nutrients and humus, an obvious line, and risk minimization are: In wet years the cereal grain at the edge grew up in the middle of farmland better in dry years.

Today, the remains of Wölbäckern in many places under forest or grassland to reveal a wavy Geländeausformung. Wölbäcker in forest areas indicate that the forest was established on fallow farmland. Many Wölbäcker are unknown, since the mapping is complex. With Airborne Laser Scanning of aircraft from Wölbäcker can also be documented in the forest. Wölbäcker are a vivid example of the history of the cultural landscape.