-- Lime burner, one who burns limestone, shells, etc., to make lime

Charcoal and lime burning have disappeared from almost everywhere in Europe, but in the Bukk Mountains these intriguing handicraft works have survived modern technical development. It is exiting to observe the extremely intensive protocols for building up kilns, litting and dismantling them.

Lime was heated in the kiln to change its chemical composition so that it could be used as a combining agent in mortar and plaster.

Kilns were tended by lime burners who usually lived nearby. The lime burner would thrust a bundle of burning twigs into the 'eye' or fire grate which was usually covered with a heavy iron door. The door would be shut fast and sealed to ensure slow burning. One ton of  limestone would produce 11cwt if high quality lime after eight hours burning.

Title: The Lime-burner, from the series "Sixteen Etchings," or the "Thames Set"
Date: 1859
Artist: James McNeill Whistler