Room Layout: People and Livestock, Hearth Fire @museum.de

F: The large double doors serve as the main entrance and exit for people and livestock. But both the Ammerland Farmhouse and the smaller Hirelings' House also have a "Sideldör", a small side door. It separates the livestock area – the hall – from the area inhabited by the human residents – the flett with the hearth fire.

M: Right next to the entrance is a bench with buckets of water – just to have a small amount on hand, because the house had no water supply. All the water, whether for the livestock, for cooking, bathing or washing, had to be fetched from the well.

F: The cow and goat were kept right next to the side door, with a couple of pigs on the opposite side. Space for a horse wasn't included, because horses were very precious. Only the farmer would have had one.

M: Beyond the side door, you're in the human realm. In the centre, beneath the hearth rack, there was a merrily burning fire. On one side was the large dining table for the whole family. The other side was occupied by a first sleeping alcove.

F: The second box bed was in the parlour, which you reached by leaving the hearth area by the dark door. People slept at least two per alcove – even three or four, if we're talking about children. So it was nice and warm... but probably still not very comfortable. Because people slept on straw, which was only very rarely changed.

M: The chamber probably also contained the grist mill and a loom. Next door was the parlour, where the family kept their treasures: the good china, the festive cutlery, the tablecloths.