Charcoal analysis, with particular reference to archaeological sites in Britain
In this thesis, data from 232 archaeological sites in England, Scotland and Wales are used to build the foundations of a standard methodology for charcoal identification and interpretation. Sampling methods are examined, including sample selection, recovery, sample size, fragment size, and their effects on results. A computer key for native woody plants (and some introduced species) was constructed to aid identification of archaeological charcoals. Thirty-one taxa were identified from the sites studied. Results are compared by histograms, presence analysis and multivarlate analysis. The broad pattern is found to display little variation in relation to archaeological period or context type. Quercus sp, Rosaceae (subfamily Pomoldeae), Corylus sp, Prunus sp, and Fraxinus ap are the five most common taxa on the majority of sites. The relationship of this finding to anthropogenic factors is discussed. Compared to pollen or molluscan analysis, charcoal is shown to be insensitive to changes in woodland distribution and type. There are, however, indications of environmental effects in the occurrence of some less commonly recorded taxa (e.g. Rhamnus sp and Calluna sp) and in the overall results from a number of sites.
Keepax, Carole A.
Charcoal analysis, with particular reference to archaeological sites in Britain. In this thesis, data from 232 archaeological sites in England, Scotland and Wales are used to build the foundations of a standard methodology for charcoal identification and interpretation. Sampling methods are examined, including sample selection, recovery, sample size, fragment size, and their effects on results. A computer key for native woody plants (and some introduced species) was constructed to aid identification of archaeological charcoals. Thirty-one taxa were identified from the sites studied. Results are compared by histograms, presence analysis and multivarlate analysis. The broad pattern is found to display little variation in relation to archaeological period or context type. Quercus sp, Rosaceae (subfamily Pomoldeae), Corylus sp, Prunus sp, and Fraxinus ap are the five most common taxa on the majority of sites. The relationship of this finding to anthropogenic factors is discussed. Compared to pollen or molluscan analysis, charcoal is shown to be insensitive to changes in woodland distribution and type. There are, however, indications of environmental effects in the occurrence of some less commonly recorded taxa (e.g. Rhamnus sp and Calluna sp) and in the overall results from a number of sites.
charcoal analysis particular_reference archaeological_site britain data archaeological_site england scotland_wales use build foundation standard charcoal identification_interpretation sampling method examine include sample selection recovery sample size fragment size effect result computer key native plant introduced specie construct aid identification archaeological charcoal thirty taxon identify site study compare presence analysis analysis broad_pattern find display little variation relation archaeological period context type common taxon majority site relationship find anthropogenic factor discuss compared pollen molluscan analysis charcoal show insensitive change woodland distribution type however indication environmental effect occurrence less commonly record taxon overall_number site