Field Stone Foundations and Thatched Roof @museum.de

M: The Ammerland Farmhouse rests on no fewer than 124 huge erratic boulders!

F: The most recent Ice Age left so many of these huge chunks of granite scattered across the fields and meadows that they gave rise to a tongue-in cheek theory among some Ammerland farmers. Obviously the boulders were mysteriously able to grow back – and not just once! No sooner had a boulder been removed from a field than more were found – rinse and repeat.

M: In the fields, they were a nuisance, but as foundations for the local farmhouses, they did a good job. They kept the oak beams off the damp soil, and that extended the timber structure's life. To keep the soil nice and dry, the farmers also planted water-loving lime trees near their houses. They not only give off a wonderful fragrance in spring; they also extract a lot of moisture from the soil.

F: On the other hand, actual bog plants were used for the thatched roofs, which give the traditional farm houses their typical appearance. In the past, the common reed (called Reet or Reit locally) grew very near here, on the shores of the lake. The stalks were mown in autumn and dried over the winter, so they were available to patch any damaged areas over the following summer, and the roof could always be maintained in top condition. That was vital, because although a thatched roof provides excellent insulation against heat and cold...

M: It's unfortunately apt to catch fire. And many a local house burnt to the ground once its thatched roof was ablaze.