Erdställe (German, singular: Erdstal) are manmade caves and tunnels as are many found in the loes areas of Austria and the south of Germany. They consist of systems of – often small – tunnels leading to chambers which are of divers size and shape.

The German name ‘Erdstal’ traces back to the notion of place or site and has nothing to do with a stable for animals.

The entrance to an Erdstal is often hidden and difficult to identify. Many of them are under houses, churches and wine cellars but also in the open field. The tunnels have the shape of a pointed arch or have a flat ceiling and often they are no higher than 40 cm. The rooms are shaped like a vessel and are often no higher than 1.30 meter. Sometimes seats have carved in the loess but curiously they are no higher than 30 cm which make them impractible to be used by humans.

There are little indications for the age of these underground systems. Until more information is retrieved, one believes they originate from the Middle Ages (1000 – 1200 AD).

There are many theories of the purpose and who made them, but any proof is lacking. Since none of the tunnels have a second entrance they are not very suited as hiding place, the moreover the air cannot be refreshed easily.

Information about Erdställe, f.i about Stubenberg and Gaweinstall, is available from the following websites (German language):

www.erdstall.de

http://erdstall.heimat.eu

http://www.lvhstmk.at/berichte/erdstallforschung.html

http://www.museum-joanneum.at/de/archaeologiemuseum/ausstellungen-8/zeitenanfang