A review of charcoal analysis as a tool for assessing Quaternary and Tertiary environments: achievements and limits

Figueiral, Isabel; Mosbrugger, Volker

doi:10.1016/s0031-0182(00)00195-4

Cited by 107 publications

(62 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…Analysis of archaeological charcoals has focused on the study of selection of species for fuel and other uses as well as a means of studying of vegetation history and reconstructing contemporary vegetation (Figueiral and Mosbrugger 2000;Marguerie and Hunot 2007). It has also focussed to a lesser extent on radiocarbon dating (Bird 2006).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The use of reflectance values for the interpretation of natural and anthropogenic charcoal assemblages

McParland

Collinson

Scott

et al. 2009

Archaeol Anthropol Sci

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Charcoal assemblages occur in both natural and archaeological settings. Cell wall reflectance values of charcoal in polished blocks under oil provide a proxy for temperature of formation. This paper aims to (1) determine whether wildfire charcoals and anthropological charcoals from various pyrotechnical activities can be distinguished using reflectance data and (2) establish if re-charring (i.e. use of charcoal fuel) can be recognised in the archaeological record through analysis of laboratory-produced re-charred charcoals and charcoals from an experimental iron smelt and traditional bronze casting which utilised charcoal fuel. Reflectance frequency data from assemblages representing burning of charcoal, in this case of iron smelting and bronze casting, indicates temperatures from above the mean value of charcoal production (>475°C) up to the maximum temperature reached in the subsequent process (i.e. >475 to >1,100°C). In contrast, wildfire charcoals showed a range of values including material with barely measurable reflectance (minimum values from 0.06% to 0.56%Ro) to maximum reflectance values varying from 1.65%Ro (Tilford) to 3.8%Ro (Zacca). The mean wildfire reflectance indicated temperatures in the range 325-400°C, which can therefore clearly be distinguished from that of the charcoal burning processes. The laboratory-produced re-charred charcoals take on the reflectance value of the highest temperatures experienced; reflectance values were not constrained by the original temperature of formation. High temperatures are most easily achievable by the burning of charcoal fuel, and hence high reflectance charcoals are likely to represent re-charred charcoal. Therefore, this quantitative reflectance method can be used in archaeology to determine the minimum temperature of formation of charcoals in anthropological processes which involve fire, can indicate the likelihood of use of charcoal or wood as fuel and can distinguish between an assemblage of high temperature anthropogenic charcoals and charcoals formed from natural wildfire.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The use of reflectance values for the interpretation of natural and anthropogenic charcoal assemblages

McParland

Collinson

Scott

et al. 2009

Archaeol Anthropol Sci

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“…Applying this method to fossil wood floras is routinely carried out to study former ecosystems and assess changes in vegetational communities over time (Figueiral and Mosbrugger 2000). For example Wheeler and Manchester (2002) published a study of the diverse fossil wood assemblage from the Clarno Nut Beds.…”

Section: Taxonomic Based Methodologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Physiognomic and chemical characters in wood as palaeoclimate proxies

Poole

Bergen

2006

Plant Ecol

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Fossil wood is both abundant and ubiquitous through geological time and space. During growth the parent plant was directly influenced by the biotic and abiotic (including climatic-) factors in the surrounding environment. The climate affects wood production in a number of ways and it is the resulting physiognomic and chemical characters that can help retrodict palaeoclimate. Physiognomic characters include those morphological and anatomical characters that in turn have enabled the use of wood characters, tree ring characters and statistical parameters (Mean Sensitivity) to determine seasonality, length and favourability of growing season, growth rates and forest productivity. Potential chemical characters discussed include (i) the preservation of wood-derived compounds (e.g. guaiacyl, syringyl p-hydroxyphenyl and resins); (ii) degree of lignin degradation to determine climate induced environmental changes; and (iii) stable isotopes (dD, d13 C and d 18 O) to help determine aspects of past climates as derived from environmental changes. The feasibility and methodology of these characters, in both angiosperm and conifer wood, are reviewed in order to establish certain safe guards, or prerequisites, such that interpretations of palaeoclimate can be as unbiased, and thus as reliable, as possible.

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“…It can be argued that the same might explain the absence of angiosperm remains. Of course gymnospermous secondary xylem is more resistant to decay than angiospermous wood (Lu « cke et al, 1999;Figueiral and Mosbrugger, 2000). Lignin of the latter is typically degraded into water-soluble products and hence is rapidly destroyed, whereas the gymnosperm lignin decays into water-insoluble products (Hatcher and Clifford, 1997;Kim and Singh, 2000).…”

Section: Other Macrofossil Remains From the Tienen Formationmentioning

confidence: 99%

The in situ Glyptostroboxylon forest of Hoegaarden (Belgium) at the Initial Eocene Thermal Maximum (55 Ma)

Fairon‐Demaret

Steurbaut

Damblon

et al. 2003

Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology

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Hundreds of silicified standing stumps have been discovered within a lignitic horizon in the middle of the Tienen Formation near Hoegaarden in northeast Belgium. The anatomical features of the fossil stumps, as those of the numerous silicified secondary xylem remains collected since the last century from this area, demonstrate that they all belong to a single taxodiaceous taxon. The stumps bear characteristics shared by Taxodioxylon gypsaceum and Glyptostroboxylon tenerum, but affinities with the latter appear closer. They are attributed to Glyptostroboxylon sp. Calibration of the sedimentological, stratigraphical and organic carbon isotope data reveals that these taxodiaceous fossil trees developed in a swampy lowland environment most probably during the Initial Eocene Thermal Maximum at ca. 55 Ma. ß

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A review of charcoal analysis as a tool for assessing Quaternary and Tertiary environments: achievements and limits

Cited by 107 publications

References 27 publications

The use of reflectance values for the interpretation of natural and anthropogenic charcoal assemblages

The use of reflectance values for the interpretation of natural and anthropogenic charcoal assemblages

Physiognomic and chemical characters in wood as palaeoclimate proxies

The in situ Glyptostroboxylon forest of Hoegaarden (Belgium) at the Initial Eocene Thermal Maximum (55 Ma)

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