'old world' methods

[Tman1]

In another thread, these pictures were posted in reply #401.
http://www.pizzamaking.com/forum/index.php/topic,14506.0.html
Since it's a lengthy read (although very informative and envy inducing) I thought I would start, or try to start a discussion on 'old world methods'. It would seem to be the vessels indicated by the arrows are a proofing spot made to counter the heat of the day. Anybody have any deeper info on these/this process?

[Tman1]

Here's a link to a book on Amazon that shows some interesting methods for preserving vegetables.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1890132101/?tag=pmak-20
You can click on the 'book' and get a digital preview. Within it, it shows some methods of digging holes into the ground and covering. Not exactly what I was thinking of, but still interesting.