Due to the lack of space for an extensive cemetery, graves had to be recycled frequently. Once a body was somewhat decomposed, it was dug up again and the bones were transferred to the Beinhaus. The Beinhaus (bone house) in Hallstatt dates back to twelve century AC. There are over 1200 skulls in the charnel, of them 610 have been painted in flowery designs, they are neatly stacked in rows along with next of kin and have the date of decease written on them.