Neue hochmittelalterliche Erdstollen westlich von Sevilla. Südliche Beispiele für das mitteleuropäische Phänomen des Erdstalls

Abstract

This paper concerns newly discovered underground galleries which were discovered dur ing a research project of the universities of Bamberg and Sevilla in the Almohad period abandoned settlement of Cuatrovitas. While the project was still ongoing further examples in the region were discovered during road maintenance projects. A scientific study of the subject is of great importance, as the overview study of the phenomenon of a simple system of crawlspaces has up to now been neglected in Spain, even though they appear more numerous than believed. With these new examples from the area of the so-called Aljarafe region near Sevilla we can connect them to the type of central European souterrains, the appearance and genesis of which is being vigorously collected and discussed in the German language »Erdstall« research. Their function as refuges during High Medieval crisis periods has been plausibly established.