Transport Paths - The Hallstatt staircase

In 2003, a wooden stairway was discovered in the Christian von Tuschwerk. Tree-ring dating techniques have made it possible to date this staircase to 1108 BC, making it the oldest surviving set of stairs in Europe. Each step was 1.20m wide, meaning that miners could ascend and descend at the same time.

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Construction method
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The stairs from the Christian von Tuschwerk mine

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In 2003, a wooden stairway was discovered in the Christian von Tuschwerk. It is the oldest known wooden staircase in Europe. Dendrochronological analysis has shown that some of the timber was felled in the year 1108 BC, which means that the stairs have been preserved almost intact for more than 3,100 years.

Construction method

In terms both of its construction and its level of preservation, this stairway is absolutely unique – no similar example is known either from earlier or from more recent times. The construction details relate to requirements for portability (the staircase had to be a demountable, modular construction), adjustability (the tread angle had to adapt to different shaft inclinations within the mountain) and replaceability. The amazing width of the 1.20 metre steps made it possible to transport heavy loads, while also allowing personnel access and a two-way (synchronous up/down) circulation with carrysacks.

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Although the construction is absolutely unique and not found in other mines (for instance prehistoric copper mines), the stairway in the Christian von Tuschwerk is not a completely isolated case within the Hallstatt salt mine itself. Parts of such stairs have been discovered in several zones, suggesting that this was the usual access equipment for Bronze Age salt mining. There were probably two variants, a wide construction supported on the mining waste and predominantly for salt transport, and a narrower version in the shafts for personnel access only.

The stairs from the Christian von Tuschwerk mine

The staircase from the Christian von Tuschwerk extends over 8 metres, with 1.20 metre wide treads. The construction was designed as an aid to get over huge heaps of mining waste, upon which it rested. The treads are fitted into the grooves of the two stringers. The small tread-ends at each end serve to fit the treads into the grooves of the stringers. The woodworking traces preserved within the groove of the stringer show that it was not chiselled or cut with an adze, rather that it was created by transverse cutting using a bronze axe. There were probably two variants, a wide construction supported on the mining waste and predominantly for salt transport, and a narrower version in the shafts for personnel access only.

(Reschreiter, H. – Kowarik, K. – Loew, C.)

Die Fahrt aus dem Christian von Tuschwerk: Die Stiege ist insgesamt 8 m lang, hat eine Auftrittsbreite von 1,20 m und liegt auf dem Heidengebirge – dem Betriebsabfall – auf. Es handelte sich also nicht um eine freitragende Konstruktion. Die Stiege diente zur Überwindung eines steilen Heidengebirgshaufens. Unter und zwischen den Hölzern des zusammengestürzten Schachtes wurden weitere Stiegenteile entdeckt, allerdings müssen diese zu schmaleren Treppen gehört haben. Dies legt die Vermutung nahe, dass derartige Treppen auch im Schacht eingebaut waren und der Mannsfahrt dienten. (Foto: A. W. Rausch - NHM Wien)

Konstruktionsplan der Stiege: Die Auftritte stecken in der Nut der beiden Stiegenwangen. Die Zapfen der Auftritte sind so klein gehalten, dass sie in der Nut frei drehbar sind. Dadurch kann die Stiege beinahe in jeder beliebigen Steigung zusammengesetzt werden. (Bild: K. Löcker)

Transport des Haukleins mit dem Tragsack über einen Nachbau der Hallstatt-Stiege. (Foto: A. W. Rausch - NHM Wien)

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