Mitteleuropa, Rheinland - Köhlerei im Kermeter: Brennen und Ausräumen des Meilers. Schmidt/Nideggen 1981

To start the process of carbonization the charcoal-burners introduce a fire into the fuel shaft, where combustion then rises from the bottom to the top. Smoke-holes are made in the jacket of the pile, first at the upper part and then, at regular intervals, lower and lower, thus directing carbonization from the top over the flanks to the base of the pile. Once carbonization is achieved, the men rem…