Marble was already being quarried above Quadrat (a hamlet of Partschins/Parcines) during the Copper Age (around 2500 BC). Evidence of this can be found in four menhirs discovered by local historian Matthias Ladurner-Parthanes in 1932/42 near the Töllgraben ravine at Plars.
These are roughly hewn, figurative stone pillars that were erected vertically in the ground and are believed to have represented heroes or important ancestors. The standing stones provide remarkable evidence that this area was already inhabited around 4,500 years ago. It will probably never be known how the early inhabitants managed to transport these mysterious ritual stones, some weighing well over one thousand kilograms, from the Quadrat quarry to their final destination. Today, they can be admired at the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology in Bolzano.
The Romans also quarried marble here and used it, among other things, to create the Rabland milestone (AD 46). Limestone is still quarried today just above the lime kiln. To preserve the historic Quadrat lime kiln, the structure was uncovered and restored a few years ago after having been almost completely overgrown by trees and shrubs.
Located along the Mahlbach trail, this lime kiln is considered one of the largest and most interesting in South Tyrol and has been preserved in its entirety.
The lime-burning process was as follows: first, the limestone was collected and transported to the kiln. It was then fired and subsequently "slaked" with water. The resulting lime was used for whitewashing and for producing mortar (one-third slaked lime, two-thirds sand and water).
The Quadrat lime kiln remained in operation until 1880. Anyone hiking or mountain biking on the Nörderberg (well-marked MTB routes with excellent trails) should definitely take the time to visit this fascinating historical site.