Seasoned or green? Radial cracks analysis as a method for identifying the use of green wood as fuel in archaeological charcoal

Théry‐Parisot, Isabelle; Henry, Auréade

doi:10.1016/j.jas.2011.09.024

Cited by 84 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…1; table 1). Fuel characteristics can also be relevant indicators of paleoenvironmental aspects (e.g., the type of vegetation cover surrounding a site) as well as higher-level inferences about human behavior in terms of selection criteria, gathering efforts and costs (Henry 2017;March 1992;Théry-Parisot 2002a, 2002bThéry-Parisot, Chabal, and Chrzavzez 2010), and efficiency in relation to desired hearth functions (Henry and Théry-Parisot 2014;March 1992;March and Wunsch 2003;Simpson et al 2003;Théry-Parisot 2002a, 2002bThéry-Parisot and Henry 2012;Villa, Bon, and Castel 2002). Substantial experimental work has been done in the domain of paleobotany and to a lesser extent with the sedimentary expressions of fuel-related variables.…”

Section: The Evidence For Fuelmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experimental Approaches to Archaeological Fire Features and Their Behavioral Relevance

Aldeias¹

2017

Current Anthropology

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The uses and functions of fire in early human adaptations are commonly debated and at times very controversial topics. It is important to recognize under what circumstances and conditions specific fire-related traces can be produced and preserved in the archaeological record. Currently, a growing body of data is emerging on the application of experimental research to the study of archaeological hearths and their residues. In this review, I draw together aspects of such available experimental data, particularly those pertaining to the sedimentary expression and components produced during simple campfires. I highlight not only what one can find in ideal preservation conditions but also what type of indirect alteration proxies can be expected to survive in the archaeological record. I then discuss the implications of such data for analyzing anthropic fire features, their timing, and their meaning in terms of behavioral complexity in the use and manufacture of fire during the Paleolithic.

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Section: The Evidence For Fuelmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experimental Approaches to Archaeological Fire Features and Their Behavioral Relevance

Aldeias¹

2017

Current Anthropology

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“…Dendrological and taphonomical characteristics, such as ring curvature, vitrification, radial cracks and biological deterioration, were noted (e.g. Mcparland et al, 2010, Théry-Parisot andHenry, 2012).…”

Section: Paleobotanic Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Clay combustion structures in early Mesolithic at Cova da Baleia (Mafra, Portugal): Approaches to their functionality

Sousa

Bao

Mazzuco

et al. 2018

Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports

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) is hereby presented and discussed in this paper. In an excavated area of 500 m 2 was identified a large concentration of structures (128), of which 104 were in clay, with two phases of occupation. The absolute chronology indicates a majority occupation of the second half of the 8th millennium cal BCE (Early Mesolithic) and a second phase towards the end of the 7th millennium (Late Mesolithic). Despite the excellent state of conservation of the site, the osteological remains are practically absent, possibly due to taphonomic factors. Cova da Baleia is clearly a distinctive site of the reference framework known of the Early Mesolithic times in Portugal, given the large size of the site (about 1 ha) and its structural complexity.It was clear that an interdisciplinary approach was mandatory in order to fully guarantee the site interpretation, namely regarding its functionality. The results of the use-wear and archaeobotanical studies show the relevance of wood and other hard materials, whereas the need for fire for these activities remains to be understood.

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“…Relativamente comuns em carvões, as causas para a ocorrência de fissuras radiais não está ainda completamente definida. Poderão ser o resultado de uma evaporação rápida durante o processo de combustão, fruto de um aquecimento brusco da humidade presente em lenhas frescas (CARRIÓN 2003(CARRIÓN , 2007MARGUERIE & HUNOT 2007;THÉRY-PARISOT et al 2012).…”

Section: Metodologia Laboratorialunclassified

Estudo arqueobotânico do Castro de Cidadelhe (Mesão Frio): resultados preliminares

Vaz

Tereso

Lemos

et al. 2016

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No âmbito das intervenções arqueológicas no Castro de Cidadelhe (Mesão Frio) decorridas entre outubro e dezembro de 2013, foram recolhidas 14 amostras sedimentares com o objetivo de serem analisadas nas suas componentes antracológica e carpológica. A área amostrada – sondagem 1 - localiza-se junto à principal linha de muralha do povoado e abrange duas fases de ocupação do povoado: a mais antiga (Fase I) prévia à ocupação do sitio, e a mais recente (Fase II) em plena ocupação romana.Apesar das limitações impostas pela pequena dimensão de área escavada, foi possível identificar duas fases distintas de cobertura vegetal ambas com forte influência antrópica. Na fase mais antiga, identificou-se um ambiente constituído por fetos e espécies herbáceas associadas a ambientes ruderais e infestantes de campos de cultivo, pontuadas por carvalhos caducifólios e perenifólios. O segundo momento (Fase II) remete para cultivos cerealíferos (trigo vestido e milho-miúdo) e para recolhas de lenha de espécies silvestres assim como para eventuais práticas de silvicultura refletidas na presença de castanheiro, figueira, nogueira e videira no mesmo contexto arqueológico. From October to December 2013, several soil samples were recovered during the archaeological excavations of the settlement of Cidadelhe (Mesão Frio, Northern Portugal) in order to undergo archaeobotanical analysis. These samples are originated from two separate groups of contexts: one prior to the construction of the settlement’s wall (Phase 1 – 8th to the 9th century BC) and the remaining in the reinforced buttress of the wall, built during the Roman period (Phase II).Despite the reduced excavation area, this archaeobotanical study allowed the identification of two distinct ecological moments, both with strong anthropic influences and closely related to the archaeological phases recorded on site. The first and older phase, prior to the construction of the wall, refers to an environment with the presence of herbaceous ruderal species, ferns, deciduous and evergreen oaks. The second phase heavily contrasts with the latter, with the presence of a much wider range of species such as cereals (emmer and broomcorn millet) and a set of species (chestnut, walnut, fig tree and vine tree) which strongly infer their active cultivation.

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Seasoned or green? Radial cracks analysis as a method for identifying the use of green wood as fuel in archaeological charcoal

Cited by 84 publications

References 24 publications

Experimental Approaches to Archaeological Fire Features and Their Behavioral Relevance

Experimental Approaches to Archaeological Fire Features and Their Behavioral Relevance

Clay combustion structures in early Mesolithic at Cova da Baleia (Mafra, Portugal): Approaches to their functionality

Estudo arqueobotânico do Castro de Cidadelhe (Mesão Frio): resultados preliminares

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