The Mountains Burnt: Forest Fires and Site Formation Processes

Connor, Melissa A.; Cannon, Kenneth P.; Carlevato, Denise

doi:10.2190/h358-6l4e-w6b0-u9l3

Cited by 9 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…Burnt patches and 'depressions' representing burnt-out roots of trees have been observed in the aftermath of modern forest fires (Connor et al, 1989). Bellomo has also noted that in rare cases where stump fires burn back into the roots they follow the distinctive root shapes (Bellomo, 1993).…”

Section: Evidence Of Fire Usementioning

confidence: 99%

Humans in the Hoxnian: habitat, context and fire use at Beeches Pit, West Stow, Suffolk, UK

Preece

Gowlett

Parfitt

et al. 2006

J Quaternary Science

109

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A Lower Palaeolithic industry at Beeches Pit, West Stow, Suffolk, occurs within an interglacial sequence that immediately overlies glacial deposits, referable to the Anglian Lowestoft Formation. There is strong biostratigraphical evidence from both vertebrates and molluscs that the interglacial represented is the Hoxnian (MIS 11). This conclusion is supported by uranium series dates from carbonate nodules (>400 kyr), TL dates from burnt flint (414 AE 30 kyr) and a range of amino acid racemisation data. The archaeology consists of flint artefacts of Acheulian character, including many refitting examples. Charred material is abundant in three stratigraphical units and many bones and flints have been burnt, indicating repeated occurrence of fire. Several discrete areas of burnt sediment appear to be hearths. This interpretation is supported by: (1) the intensity of burning (600-8008C) implied by the charred and calcined bones; (2) the intersection of two of the burnt areas, implying separate burning events at slightly different, overlapping locations; (3) the discovery of two burnt flakes that refit onto an adjacent group that are unburnt, indicating that the burning was highly localised; and (4) the spatial distribution of artefacts respects the features interpreted as hearths, suggesting fireside knapping. Fossils associated with the archaeology indicate occupation within closed deciduous forest in a fully temperate climate. Attractions to this unusual environment would have included the fresh water provided by springs, a rich supply of potential food and a prolific source of good quality flint for tool manufacture. The archaeological evidence therefore suggests that the site repeatedly served as an area of focused activities (perhaps a 'home-base') during much of the interglacial. The upper levels of the sequence provide clear faunal evidence of climatic deterioration during which human occupation and fire use persisted. Biostratigraphical correlations with other Lower Palaeolithic sites lend support to the suggestion that Acheulian and Clactonian industries occurred in Britain during the same substage of the Hoxnian, although not necessarily at precisely the same time.

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Section: Evidence Of Fire Usementioning

confidence: 99%

Humans in the Hoxnian: habitat, context and fire use at Beeches Pit, West Stow, Suffolk, UK

Preece

Gowlett

Parfitt

et al. 2006

J Quaternary Science

109

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“…Conner et al (1989) refer to these oxidized patches of earth caused by a surface fire on archaeological sites as 'faux features,' and Alperson-Afil et al (2013) refer to them as 'phantom hearths. ' As Johnson (2004) points out, it is likely that most archaeologists rarely consider the effects of ancient wildfires when investigating archaeological sites.…”

Section: Effects Of Natural Firementioning

confidence: 99%

Archaeological Data Recovery at Fish Creek Slough Site (41DL436)

Nickels¹

2015

ITA

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The Fish Creek Slough site (41DL436) is a well stratified, multi-component, open campsite situated on an alluvial terrace on the west bank of Fish Creek in Dallas County, Texas. Discovered in 2005, the site contains an abundance of faunal material, charcoal, and burned clay within multiple, discrete stratified zones. The site was evaluated by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT ) as eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. Because the site was within the right-of-way for a planned road and bridge construction project, and as directed by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, TxDOT elected to undertake archaeological data recovery excavations to mitigate adverse effects to the site.In October of 2010, AmaTerra Environmental, Inc. conducted archaeological data recovery excavations at the site under TxDOT contract no. 579-09-SA006. Mechanical stripping was conducted within a 6 x 20-m trench in 3-5-cm cuts down to 200 centimeters below the modern ground surface and exposed 43 burned zones, other features, and artifact concentrations. In addition to 285 cubic meters of soil removed mechanically, an additional 17.75 cubic meters was excavated within 107 hand-dug units. Collected and analyzed items included more than 8,700 faunal specimens, 43 pieces of chipped stone, and 206 fire-cracked rocks. Samples were collected for macrobotanical, magnetic susceptibility, pH, carbon, and malacology, pollen, diatom, phytolith, and ostracod assays and selected specimens of fire-cracked rock were analyzed for the presence of starches and lipids.Thirty-nine radiocarbon dates accepted as valid helped define four discrete occupational components with the earliest occupation probably occurring as early as AD 1025, and the last occupation probably as late as AD 1865. Geoarchaeological analyses show that the stratigraphic sequence accumulated rapidly, separating and preserving the discrete occupations in good context. Analysis of the exceptionally robust and well-preserved faunal assemblage provides evidence for interpretation of change through time in social structure, site spatial occupations, and diet and subsistence. Of special note, within the occupation zones dating to the Protohistoric and Historic periods, metal cut marks on bone suggest an increased reliance on European-introduced technology.

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“…Phosphate analyses from hearth features in central Texas have also produced inconclusive results (Collins et al 1990). Bellomo (1993) and Connor et al (1989) conducted investigations into the characteristics and effects of naturally occurring fire. Their reserach has applications for the study of burned rock.…”

Section: Soil Analysesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In their investigations, Connor et al (1989) evaluated the effects of forest fires on archaeological contents. They identifIed four important effects that may be noted on archaeological sites: 1) mosaic bum patterns with sharply defined boundaries; 2) morphological changes to stone and bone is limited to the level of the burn or within several centimeters below the bum surface; 3) specific oxidized soil features are present; and 4) layers of fluffy, white ash are present.…”

Section: Effects Of Natural Firementioning

confidence: 99%

“…They identifIed four important effects that may be noted on archaeological sites: 1) mosaic bum patterns with sharply defined boundaries; 2) morphological changes to stone and bone is limited to the level of the burn or within several centimeters below the bum surface; 3) specific oxidized soil features are present; and 4) layers of fluffy, white ash are present. Thermal damage to surface rock, found in basins of treefalls, varies with rock material: sandstone reddened but did not crack; quartzite occasionally exhibits a blackened surface; and obsidian showed signs of feathering, shattering, and surficial weathering (Connor et al 1989).…”

Section: Effects Of Natural Firementioning

confidence: 99%

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Fire-cracked Rock Use and Reuse in the Hueco Bolson, Fort Bliss, Texas

Tennis¹,

Hunziker²,

Leach³

1997

ITA

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The Mountains Burnt: Forest Fires and Site Formation Processes

Cited by 9 publications

References 11 publications

Humans in the Hoxnian: habitat, context and fire use at Beeches Pit, West Stow, Suffolk, UK

Humans in the Hoxnian: habitat, context and fire use at Beeches Pit, West Stow, Suffolk, UK

Archaeological Data Recovery at Fish Creek Slough Site (41DL436)

Fire-cracked Rock Use and Reuse in the Hueco Bolson, Fort Bliss, Texas

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