Heavy Load Transport
Transporting Building Materials
to Medieval Construction Sites
In high and late medieval construction, various technical tools were used to transport often heavy loads.
Roughly hewn stone blocks were already transported over long distances to construction sites in the Early Middle Ages using cargo ships, sledges (drag sleds), carts, and wagons.
Manual Transport
on the Medieval Construction Sites
Sledges were used throughout the year, not just during winter. Their sturdy construction made them ideal for transporting heavy building materials around medieval construction sites.
Rollers, stretchers, baskets, carts and wagons were also used to move materials, with much of the work carried out by day labourers.
Helpers unloaded stone blocks, pushed wheelbarrows (used from the 12th century onwards), carried tubs and stretchers filled with building materials, led draught and pack animals, walked inside treadwheels, and turned windlasses.
Horse-Powered Transport
on the Burgbau Construction Site
On the construction site, most loads are usually moved by our Noriker horses.
Our Noriker horses pull the stone or sand cart uphill with a load of around 350 kg. To complete the tower alone, approximately 3,500 tonnes must be moved.
Lifting Loads to Higher Levels
on the Medieval Construction Sites
For vertical transport, winches, cranes, tilting beams (a mast embedded vertically in the ground with an arm mounted at the top that could pivot and swivel, and was longer than the mast), ramps, and occasionally pulleys were used. Pulleys were relatively rare in medieval lifting technology due to the high cost of ropes and the difficulty in sourcing them in the required lengths.
Naturally, builders also transported bricks or smaller ashlar stones in boxes or on stretchers, yokes (carrying poles), and wheelbarrows. Mortar was carried in tubs, barrels, or troughs.
The Cranes
on the Burgbau Construction Site
In 2016, two jib cranes were erected on the site, which remained in operation until 2022.
The new crane used in the construction of the residential tower runs through the third storey, can swivel 330°, and the hoisting mechanism is operated by a windlass.
