Historical Wood Utilization in Austria
Abstract
Wood is one of the most important sustainable natural resources. The history of wood utilization extends to over 400,000 years, and the worldwide demand for sustainable supplies will likely continue well into the future. Archaeological evidence indicates that wood was initially used for tools as well as for burning. In the past various wood species were always used according to their properties. In literature a report of a single farming house (Bohemia), where 27 different wood species were used, can be found. In old literature – starting in the 18th century – descriptions of wood properties and applications of nowadays rarely used species can be found. In literature from the middle of the 20th century descriptions of just the main trading wood species (including tropical species) can be found. Usually there is no geographical or chronological reference in descriptions of wood properties and applications.. The aim of this project is the analysis of wooden collections in museums. The wood species, and if possible the dendrochronological date, should be determined at buildings, tools, household appliances, furniture, machines and so on. It is planned to study the collections of the Austrian Open Air Museum Stübing (Österreichsiches Freilichtmuseum, Stübing bei Graz, Styria), the Forest Farmers Museum (Waldbauernmuseum, Gutenstein, Lower Austria) and the Forest Museum (Forstmuseum Silvanum, Landl, Styria). This choice ensures the analysis of different geographical regions. The information about wood species and the dendrochronological dates are missing in the descriptions of the museums. Within this project a data base of wood properties, described by detected applications, in combination with information of the geographical origin and the date, should be established. An important part of this data base are nowadays rarely used wood species. This data base is an important step to the preservation of immaterial goods defined by the UNESCO – the knowledge about wood utilization. But it is also a wide step into the future: The results should become part of the exhibitions and should remind the visitors of historical wood utilization. The obtained knowledge about nowadays rarely used wood species is an important contribution to the discussions about sustainable forests and wood supply. The results obtained at buildings will give basic knowledge of how to maintain and conserve such buildings outside the museums, which are in use and usually not protected.
Historical Wood Utilization wood identification dendrochronology wood quality historical dating
Publikationen
Historical Wood Utlization in Central Europe – Lost knowledge for the future?
Autoren: Grabner, M Jahr: 2013
PUBLIZIERTER Beitrag für wissenschaftliche Veranstaltung
Holzauswahl zur Herstellung verschiedener Geräte
Autoren: Klein, A; Grabner, M Jahr: 2013
Originalbeitrag in Sammelwerk
Ceilings and floorings – city versus rural buildings in Austria: type, date and wood species
Autoren: Grabner, M; Klein, A; Nemestothy, S; Salzger, E Jahr: 2013
PUBLIZIERTER Beitrag für wissenschaftliche Veranstaltung
Mitarbeiter*innen
Michael Grabner
Priv.-Doz. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.nat.techn. Michael Grabner
michael.grabner@boku.ac.at
Tel: +43 1 47654-89128
Project Leader
01.09.2010 - 31.08.2013