In the paper the overview of the content and methodological background of the recently published ... more In the paper the overview of the content and methodological background of the recently published and currently prepared volumes of Ethnological atlas of Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia is given. The main aim of the paper is to show, how written sources from the early modem period could help with the preparation of ethnological maps in the country, where field research of the folk culture hardly can be done at present. Secondly the very successful application of GIS (geographic information system) in the ethnological research is stressed. The very best example off ruitful utilization of both the mentioned aspects is the 5th volume of the Ethnological atlas of Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia, which deals with spatial differentiation of the Jewish settlements and professions in Bohemia
In the paper the outcomes of the experimental charcoal burning, which took place in 2007 in Lhota... more In the paper the outcomes of the experimental charcoal burning, which took place in 2007 in Lhota near Křivoklát, are thoroughly described. Samples of charcoal obtained during the experiment were analyzed and compared with those collected at the charcoal burning sites in Romania as well as during other experiments in the Czech Republic. The outcomes of this comparison are also presented
The article deals with the technological and ecological aspects of the pre-industrial production ... more The article deals with the technological and ecological aspects of the pre-industrial production of wood-ash and potash in Bohemia which is held responsible for the negative impact on the state of Bohemian forests in the 17th - 19th centuries. New research has shown that following the introduction of forest regulations in 1754 potash production in Bohemia focused on intensification
Abstract Pitch oil production from Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) resinous wood is an intangibl... more Abstract Pitch oil production from Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) resinous wood is an intangible cultural heritage in the Central European region including the Czech Republic, Northern Austria and South Eastern Germany, and is related to traditions in Finland and Southern France. The heating of wood in small kilns also fueled by wood produces liquid for collection. Our detailed investigations of three pitch oil kilns in Upper Austria led to the discovery of relationships to the production of pine and birch tar in Fennoscandia and black pine tar production in Western Anatolia. Our measurements of temperatures at the bases of the kilns revealed a slow temperature rise. We predicted maximum temperatures based on infrared spectra, and measured overall temperatures in the range of 250 °C–650 °C. With gas chromatographic analyses of pitch oil we detected a dominant proportion of resin components and only a minor proportion of compounds attributable to pyrolytic transformation of solid wood mass. In most pitch oil samples the extractives comprised 90 %. Most samples were similar and only the first samples at the starting outflow were systematically dominated by pyrolysis products. Tar runoff from a traditional circular charcoal kiln for charcoal production – used as a reference – had a strongly different composition, with a high proportion of pyrolysis compounds.
Forest degradation and forest loss threaten the survival of many species and reduce the ability o... more Forest degradation and forest loss threaten the survival of many species and reduce the ability of forests to provide vital services. Clearing for agriculture in Angola is an important driver of forest degradation and deforestation. Charcoal production for urban consumption as a driver of forest degradation has had alarming impacts on natural forests, as well as on the social and economic livelihood of the rural population. The charcoal impact on forest cover change is in the same order of magnitude as deforestation caused by agricultural expansion. However, there is a need to monitor the linkage between charcoal production and forest degradation. The aim of this paper is to investigate the sequence of the charcoal value chain as a systematic key to identify policies to reduce forest degradation in the province of Bié. It is a detailed study of the charcoal value chain that does not stop on the production and the consumption side. The primary data of this study came from 330 respond...
The article is a reaction mo Marek Jakoubek and Zdenek Nespors essay about meaning(s) of anthropo... more The article is a reaction mo Marek Jakoubek and Zdenek Nespors essay about meaning(s) of anthropology in the Czech Republic. Although the main idea of the article is to accept ideas in above mentioned essay, some misunderstandings of it are pointed out. Úvodem V prostředí, kde vědecká diskuse není samozřejmostí, případně se brzy zvrhává do roviny osobní, je článek Zdeňka R. Nešpora a Marka Jakoubka jevem takřka podivuhodným. Autoři se rozhodli téměř ohněm a mečem šířit antropologickou pravdu a servítky si rozhodně neberou. Domnívám se však, že dřív než budou oba označeni za provokatéry zanášející zbytečný neklid do pokojného českého kulturně/sociálně/historickoantropologického rybníčku, případně za podivínské don Quijoty bojující proti neexistujícímu nepříteli, měli bychom se zamyslet, zda náhodou nemají pravdu. A, nedej Bože, zda náhodou nemají pravdu takřka ve všem. Sám za sebe mohu odpovědět velmi rychle. Mají! Vzhledem k razanci, s jakou svůj text pojali, se mnohým jistě zatmělo...
ABSTRACT This study answers the following research questions: 1) What are the change trajectories... more ABSTRACT This study answers the following research questions: 1) What are the change trajectories of woody vegetation elements at the landscape level? 2) What are the differences in change trajectories amongst the various categories of forest, non-forest and reclamation woody vegetation? 3) How do the change trajectories differ in mining and non-mining landscapes? The study area, measuring 209.6 km2, is located in the north-western part of the Czech Republic and may be broken down into 76.8 km2 of mining landscape and 132.8 km2 of non-mining landscape. Brown coal mining began in this region during the second half of the 18th century and led to the radical transformation of the landscape, including woodlands, during the second half of the 20th century. The source data for this study was obtained from the original stable cadastre maps (1842) and the landscape field mapping performed in 2010. The various woody vegetation elements (forest, non-forest, and reclamation woody plants) and land use/cover (LULC) categories were identified. The GIS symmetrical difference tool was subsequently used to perform an overlay analysis for the individual woody vegetation elements in order to study the change trajectories and to obtain information about the woodlands that have remained unchanged (continuous), the ones that have disappeared (extinct), and the ones that have newly appeared in the landscape (recent). In the case of the non-mining landscape, the total proportion of woodlands has increased (from 17 to 32%), but there has been a decline in the overall volume of forest woody plants found in these areas (from 93 to 74%). As far as the mining landscape is concerned, there has also been an increase in the area covered by woodlands (from 10 to 20%), however, the proportion of forest woody plants has decreased to a much greater extent (from 90 to 31%). From the perspective of extinct woody vegetation, 23.3% of all types of woodlands in the mining landscape may be classified as such, as compared to 10.8% in the non-mining landscape. The primary causes of this decline are mining activities and newly built-up areas. More continuous woody vegetation may be found in the non-mining landscape (42.1%) as compared to the mining landscape (15.4%). Recent woody vegetation, which has primarily replaced grasslands and partially arable land, prevails in both the mining (61.3%) as well as the non-mining (47.1%) landscapes. Different categories of woodlands (forest, non-forest, and reclamation woody vegetation elements) exhibit various change dynamics due to their different structure and the functions they serve. At the most basic level, there has been an overall increase in the occurrence of woodlands in the studied areas. However, once GIS spatial analysis is applied it is possible to see more complex processes in the development of woodland areas as characterised by gains and losses, and it is possible to identify mining and agricultural extensification as the two most significant factors behind the historical changes. Mining leads to a direct decrease in the area of woodlands; conversely, the spontaneous succession of vegetation resulting from agricultural extensification and forest reclamation facilitates woodland recovery. Forest reclamation and reforestation are essential on order to ensure the time continuity of woodlands in both types of landscape, i.e. mining and non-mining. The study presented in this paper proves that it is relevant to analyse the changes occurring in different woodland categories separately. The same methodology may be applied when studying the change dynamics of other important landscape elements, such as wood pastures and wetlands.
In the paper the overview of the content and methodological background of the recently published ... more In the paper the overview of the content and methodological background of the recently published and currently prepared volumes of Ethnological atlas of Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia is given. The main aim of the paper is to show, how written sources from the early modem period could help with the preparation of ethnological maps in the country, where field research of the folk culture hardly can be done at present. Secondly the very successful application of GIS (geographic information system) in the ethnological research is stressed. The very best example off ruitful utilization of both the mentioned aspects is the 5th volume of the Ethnological atlas of Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia, which deals with spatial differentiation of the Jewish settlements and professions in Bohemia
In the paper the outcomes of the experimental charcoal burning, which took place in 2007 in Lhota... more In the paper the outcomes of the experimental charcoal burning, which took place in 2007 in Lhota near Křivoklát, are thoroughly described. Samples of charcoal obtained during the experiment were analyzed and compared with those collected at the charcoal burning sites in Romania as well as during other experiments in the Czech Republic. The outcomes of this comparison are also presented
The article deals with the technological and ecological aspects of the pre-industrial production ... more The article deals with the technological and ecological aspects of the pre-industrial production of wood-ash and potash in Bohemia which is held responsible for the negative impact on the state of Bohemian forests in the 17th - 19th centuries. New research has shown that following the introduction of forest regulations in 1754 potash production in Bohemia focused on intensification
Abstract Pitch oil production from Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) resinous wood is an intangibl... more Abstract Pitch oil production from Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) resinous wood is an intangible cultural heritage in the Central European region including the Czech Republic, Northern Austria and South Eastern Germany, and is related to traditions in Finland and Southern France. The heating of wood in small kilns also fueled by wood produces liquid for collection. Our detailed investigations of three pitch oil kilns in Upper Austria led to the discovery of relationships to the production of pine and birch tar in Fennoscandia and black pine tar production in Western Anatolia. Our measurements of temperatures at the bases of the kilns revealed a slow temperature rise. We predicted maximum temperatures based on infrared spectra, and measured overall temperatures in the range of 250 °C–650 °C. With gas chromatographic analyses of pitch oil we detected a dominant proportion of resin components and only a minor proportion of compounds attributable to pyrolytic transformation of solid wood mass. In most pitch oil samples the extractives comprised 90 %. Most samples were similar and only the first samples at the starting outflow were systematically dominated by pyrolysis products. Tar runoff from a traditional circular charcoal kiln for charcoal production – used as a reference – had a strongly different composition, with a high proportion of pyrolysis compounds.
Forest degradation and forest loss threaten the survival of many species and reduce the ability o... more Forest degradation and forest loss threaten the survival of many species and reduce the ability of forests to provide vital services. Clearing for agriculture in Angola is an important driver of forest degradation and deforestation. Charcoal production for urban consumption as a driver of forest degradation has had alarming impacts on natural forests, as well as on the social and economic livelihood of the rural population. The charcoal impact on forest cover change is in the same order of magnitude as deforestation caused by agricultural expansion. However, there is a need to monitor the linkage between charcoal production and forest degradation. The aim of this paper is to investigate the sequence of the charcoal value chain as a systematic key to identify policies to reduce forest degradation in the province of Bié. It is a detailed study of the charcoal value chain that does not stop on the production and the consumption side. The primary data of this study came from 330 respond...
The article is a reaction mo Marek Jakoubek and Zdenek Nespors essay about meaning(s) of anthropo... more The article is a reaction mo Marek Jakoubek and Zdenek Nespors essay about meaning(s) of anthropology in the Czech Republic. Although the main idea of the article is to accept ideas in above mentioned essay, some misunderstandings of it are pointed out. Úvodem V prostředí, kde vědecká diskuse není samozřejmostí, případně se brzy zvrhává do roviny osobní, je článek Zdeňka R. Nešpora a Marka Jakoubka jevem takřka podivuhodným. Autoři se rozhodli téměř ohněm a mečem šířit antropologickou pravdu a servítky si rozhodně neberou. Domnívám se však, že dřív než budou oba označeni za provokatéry zanášející zbytečný neklid do pokojného českého kulturně/sociálně/historickoantropologického rybníčku, případně za podivínské don Quijoty bojující proti neexistujícímu nepříteli, měli bychom se zamyslet, zda náhodou nemají pravdu. A, nedej Bože, zda náhodou nemají pravdu takřka ve všem. Sám za sebe mohu odpovědět velmi rychle. Mají! Vzhledem k razanci, s jakou svůj text pojali, se mnohým jistě zatmělo...
ABSTRACT This study answers the following research questions: 1) What are the change trajectories... more ABSTRACT This study answers the following research questions: 1) What are the change trajectories of woody vegetation elements at the landscape level? 2) What are the differences in change trajectories amongst the various categories of forest, non-forest and reclamation woody vegetation? 3) How do the change trajectories differ in mining and non-mining landscapes? The study area, measuring 209.6 km2, is located in the north-western part of the Czech Republic and may be broken down into 76.8 km2 of mining landscape and 132.8 km2 of non-mining landscape. Brown coal mining began in this region during the second half of the 18th century and led to the radical transformation of the landscape, including woodlands, during the second half of the 20th century. The source data for this study was obtained from the original stable cadastre maps (1842) and the landscape field mapping performed in 2010. The various woody vegetation elements (forest, non-forest, and reclamation woody plants) and land use/cover (LULC) categories were identified. The GIS symmetrical difference tool was subsequently used to perform an overlay analysis for the individual woody vegetation elements in order to study the change trajectories and to obtain information about the woodlands that have remained unchanged (continuous), the ones that have disappeared (extinct), and the ones that have newly appeared in the landscape (recent). In the case of the non-mining landscape, the total proportion of woodlands has increased (from 17 to 32%), but there has been a decline in the overall volume of forest woody plants found in these areas (from 93 to 74%). As far as the mining landscape is concerned, there has also been an increase in the area covered by woodlands (from 10 to 20%), however, the proportion of forest woody plants has decreased to a much greater extent (from 90 to 31%). From the perspective of extinct woody vegetation, 23.3% of all types of woodlands in the mining landscape may be classified as such, as compared to 10.8% in the non-mining landscape. The primary causes of this decline are mining activities and newly built-up areas. More continuous woody vegetation may be found in the non-mining landscape (42.1%) as compared to the mining landscape (15.4%). Recent woody vegetation, which has primarily replaced grasslands and partially arable land, prevails in both the mining (61.3%) as well as the non-mining (47.1%) landscapes. Different categories of woodlands (forest, non-forest, and reclamation woody vegetation elements) exhibit various change dynamics due to their different structure and the functions they serve. At the most basic level, there has been an overall increase in the occurrence of woodlands in the studied areas. However, once GIS spatial analysis is applied it is possible to see more complex processes in the development of woodland areas as characterised by gains and losses, and it is possible to identify mining and agricultural extensification as the two most significant factors behind the historical changes. Mining leads to a direct decrease in the area of woodlands; conversely, the spontaneous succession of vegetation resulting from agricultural extensification and forest reclamation facilitates woodland recovery. Forest reclamation and reforestation are essential on order to ensure the time continuity of woodlands in both types of landscape, i.e. mining and non-mining. The study presented in this paper proves that it is relevant to analyse the changes occurring in different woodland categories separately. The same methodology may be applied when studying the change dynamics of other important landscape elements, such as wood pastures and wetlands.
Proceedings of the international conference European Forests. Our Cultural Heritage (4-7 December... more Proceedings of the international conference European Forests. Our Cultural Heritage (4-7 December 2018, St. Georgen am Längsee, Austria), brings both thematically and theoretically diverse mix of studies, which connects thinking about European forests as an important and hitherto neglected sphere of cultural resp. biocultural heritage. The book is published with the support of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic and the International Union of Forest Research Organizations and was prepared by an international editorial team consisting of Elisabeth Johann, Jürgen Kusmin and Jiří Woitsch.
Ethnographical atlas of Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia VII. Vernacular architecture is dedicated to... more Ethnographical atlas of Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia VII. Vernacular architecture is dedicated to rural architecture, settlements and dwellings respectively general issues of built environment, which is so far one of „classical“ topics of European ethnology. Based on a detailed study of written sources from the late 18th to the early 20th century and field research it presents on 37 maps and in detailed comments the most important structural as well as evolutional features of traditional vernacular architecture with special attention to the problems of important European borders of spatial distribution of selected features of vernacular architecture. The concrete maps and comments are focused especially on: 1. Construction materials and construction of rural buildings in the first half of the 19th century; 2) Layout of yards and farmsteads, and dwelling house orientation towards roads, streets, and village greens in the first half of the 19th century; 3) 3. Layout of rural dwelling houses in the second half of the 19th century (floor plan typology, two wing houses, location of kitchen, vertical structure); 4) Construction, layout and typological European isolines (e.g. extent of half-timbered construction, extent of houses with small roof under gable, extent of polygonal barns etc.); 5) Regional and local typology of traditional buildings and built environment.
Collective monograph describing and analyzing essential institutional, personal and theoretical a... more Collective monograph describing and analyzing essential institutional, personal and theoretical and methodological developments and changes of ethnology and related scientific disciplines in the 2nd half of the 20th century. The very first work published after 1989, which extensively and critically deals with the history of ethnology in a broad social, political and cultural contexts, with an emphasis the development in the former Czechoslovakia and other Central European countries.
Call for papers.
Institute of Ethnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Department of Critical ... more Call for papers. Institute of Ethnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Department of Critical Heritage Studies
announces
call for papers for the conference
Critical Heritage Studies: Central European Perspectives
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Papers by Jiří Woitsch
Institute of Ethnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Department of Critical Heritage Studies
announces
call for papers for the conference
Critical Heritage Studies: Central European Perspectives
6–7 October 2022, Prague, Czech Republic