They were, in an economic system, thanks in large to community possession, indispensable.  The Tesseln registered exact rights and obligations of the community members as wooden documents and protected against any discrimination or cheating.  They were counterfeit proof, in that the wooden stick with the notches was divided or a smaller Tessel (Beitessel) remained with a partner of the legal transaction.  According to its intended purpose the Tesseln is divided into four groups.  The “Pflichthölzer” or “Kehrtesseln” register an achievement that must be brought to the Gemeinde, like taking over a night watch or des Amtes des Alpvogts. The “Abrechnungshölzer” represent an art of record keeping: A rural example would be, the amount of milk that the cows supplied to the Alpine community over the summer.  “Forderungs- und Quittungshölzer” confirm the existence of a dept or the fulfilment of an obligation.  “Rechtsamehölzer” record the membership rights on co-operation and shared work, for instance the portions of the Gemeindealpe or the quantity of water which may be used for irrigation of ones meadows.