The economic use of Abies wood as timber in central Europe during Roman times

Abstract

Abies alba (Mill.) is native only to some parts of central Europe. The tree is indigenous to the Alps, the Black Forest, the Vosges, the Bayerischer Wald, and to some hilly and mountainous areas north of the Alps. A number of pollen diagrams from these regions demonstrate a clear Abies decline dating to the Roman period, and it appears that this Abies decline is a good „time marker“ in central European pollen diagrams from the area mentioned. Firs were felled where they grew and their trunks were transported by the rivers Rhine and Danube to regions where Abies timber was needed for the construction of houses and bridges. During the excavation of sites situated far from indigenous fir stands, Abies needles and wood were found, indicating that the fir trunks were transported to these Roman towns by river. Fir timber is extremely valuable for the construction of large buildings, boats, and bridges. It is apparent that long distance transport on the central European rivers began in Roman times. Transport of timber was, of course, only a part of the new river commerce: building stone, wine, and crops were also transported for long distances.