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**Uncovering the Past: The Tannery of Gerresheim and Its Role in 19th Century Economic History**
For a long time, the economic history of the small town of Gerresheim, now part of Düsseldorf, has remained a mystery. However, recent archaeological discoveries have shed new light on this subject, particularly with the identification of a tannery that was operational at the beginning of the 19th century.
The tannery, which was owned by Caspar Körfgen von Gerresheim, was a crucial part of the local economy during this period. The basic requirement for setting up a tannery was the presence of a flowing water source, and the Pillebach stream, which runs through Gerresheim, could have met this requirement.
The tanning process, which could take up to a year and a half, involved several stages. Initially, the cleaning of animal hides was carried out using a scraping beam and potash or lime milk in special pits known as 'lohgruben'. The hair removal process was followed by the tanning process in these pits.
Caspar Körfgen von Gerresheim was listed as a 'Rotgerber' or 'Lohgerber' in the official address book for Rhineland-Westphalia from 1833, indicating his involvement in the tanning industry. As the business grew, specialized craftsmen called Rot-, Weiß- or Sämischgerber emerged, using different tanning agents.
Initially, leather production at the tannery was for self-supply. However, the tannery later specialized in different tanning agents, suggesting a possible expansion of its operations. The tannin-rich liquor used in the tanning process was made from specific woods, leaves, bark, and fruits.
The discovery of the former tannery was a surprise to city planners, as it was initially doubted due to its location near Basilica St. Margareta and Quadenhof. Despite this, the city plans to preserve the remains of the tannery, but construction work may not allow it.
The archaeological documentation of the tannery remains will provide new insights into Gerresheim’s economic history at the beginning of the 19th century. The further handling of the finds and the scientific methods for their examination will be determined in the course of the excavation with the LVR Office for Monument Protection in the Rhineland.
Archaeologically visible today in Gerresheim are large vats at the Alter Markt, remnants of the 'lohgruben'. The cleaning of these vats and the examination of other associated artifacts will be crucial for understanding the tannery’s impact on Gerresheim’s history.
As the excavation and documentation continue, we can expect to learn more about this important piece of Gerresheim’s past and its role in the broader economic transitions of the early 19th century.
The discovery of the former tannery in Gerresheim has opened a new chapter in understanding its home-and-garden lifestyle during the 19th century, as the large vats at the Alter Markt serve as a testament to the tanning process carried out there. The tannery's lifestyle, operated by Caspar Körfgen von Gerresheim, significantly influenced the town's economic history, particularly in the home-and-garden sector, where specialized craftsmen like Rot-, Weiß- or Sämischgerber emerged.
