Erdställe in Europe
There is a particularly large number of Erdställe in the Bavarian Forest and the southern Upper Palatinate Forest as well as in Lower Austria. Other distribution areas are Hungary, Spain, Scotland, and Ireland. In recent years, some tunnel systems have become known in the Swiss midlands.
Form follows function?
In the different regions, the respective underground systems display different features and details. In Upper and Lower Bavaria, there often are long main corridors with branch passages and slips. In Upper Palatinate and in the Bavarian Forest, the Erdställe rather are characterised by series of consecutive round slips, blind chambers with benches, and ancillary construction shafts with dry masonry. In Austria and France (but mysteriously not in between), there are predominantly Erdställe with circular corridors.
It is not clear whether or not all Erdställe served the same purpose. Also, the question must remain unanswered why in some areas Erdställe are quite common, while in others they are completely absent. The distribution map reflects to a large extent the regional differences in the current states of research: In the areas of intensive research, the maps show a higher concentration of Erdställe.
Further information on the Erdställe in Europe can be found in the media station.