Antracología

"Résumé – Cuciurpula constitue, à près de 1000 m d’altitude, un regroupement d’environ 35 structures reconnues pour la plupart comme des habitations. Sa fouille programmée, menée depuis 2008, a permis d’étudier l’intégralité de la maison 1, une partie de la maison 3 et un abri-sous-roche. La chronologie du gisement s’étale sur le premier âge du Fer, probablement du VIIIe siècle pour les niveaux précédant la construction de la maison 1, au début du VIe siècle pour les aménagements les plus récents de cette même structure. Le contexte d’étude est donc indigène précolonial. Les fouilles de la maison 1 ont permis de documenter de façon satisfaisante l’aspect primitif des élévations grâce à la reconnaissance de plusieurs réseaux de poteaux porteurs. Elles ont aussi permis d’aborder le domaine de l’organisation domestique du VIIe siècle avec, d’une part, un équipement domestique immobilier (foyer, siège, four, sols construits, seuil) et mobilier (vaisselle de faciès Nuciaresa, indices de métallurgie locale du bronze et du fer, matériel de meunerie) particulièrement bien préservé et, de l’autre, les vestiges d’activités du quotidien spatialement discriminées. Au-delà des considérations architecturales, l’excavation de la tranchée d’implantation de la structure a livré un dépôt de fondation qui évoque certaines pratiques religieuses. Les analyses anthracologiques préliminaires réalisées dans ce contexte permettent de reconstituer un paysage globalement ouvert ponctué de zones agropastorales (céréaliculture et élevage extensif) et de friches exploitées pour le petit bois de feu alors que la partie sommitale du gisement semble occupée par un massif arboricole.

Abstract – At an altitude of nearly 1,000 m, Cuciurpula includes approximately 35 structures mostly identified as dwellings. House 1 as a whole, as well as part of house 3 and a rock shelter were studied in the planned excavation of this site, carried out since 2008. The chronology of the deposits covers the first Iron Age, probably from the 8th century as regards the levels prior to the construction of house 1, to the beginning of the 6th century a regards the more recent developments of this same structure. The study is thus based in a pre-colonial indigenous context. The excavation of house 1 provided suitable information about the primitive aspect of the elevations thanks to the identification of several networks of load-bearing columns. The issue of domestic organisation in the 7th century was thereby also addressed, with domestic household (hearth, seat, oven, built flooring, doorstep) and furniture (Nuciaresa-type tableware, evidence of local bronze and iron metallurgy, milling machinery) equipment particularly well preserved, on the one hand, and spatially distinguished remains of daily activities, on the other hand. In addition to architectural considerations, the excavation of the structure’s settlement trench disclosed a foundation deposit suggesting religious practices. The preliminary anthracological analyses carried out in this context allow to reconstruct a largely open landscape with scattered agro-pastoral areas (cereal farming and extensive stockbreeding) and fallow land used for kindling wood, whereas the top part of the deposits appears to be covered in an arboricultural plot.

Riassunto – L’insediamento di Cuciurpula, posto a 1000 metri di altitudine, è costituito da un nucleo di circa 35 strutture interpretabili come capanne. Lo scavo, iniziato nel 2008, ha interessato l’intera superficie della capanna 1, una parte della capanna 3 e un riparo sotto roccia. Il sito è databile alla prima età del Ferro, dall’ottavo secolo degli strati precedenti l’impianto della capanna 1, agli inizi del sesto secolo delle fasi più recenti di questa stessa struttura. Il contesto in studio è quindi indigeno e precoloniale. Lo scavo della capanna 1 ha permesso di ricostruire con certezza l’aspetto originario dell’alzato e del tetto, grazie alla scoperta di numerosi buchi di palo e ha inoltre fornito informazioni sull’organizzazione domestica del settimo secolo, sia attraverso l’indagine di elementi strutturali (focolare, sedile, forno, battuti pavimentali, soglia) e il recupero di materiali (vasellame tipico della facies Nuciaresa, indizi di metallurgia locale del bronzo e del ferro) particolarmente ben conservati, sia attraverso l’individuazione di tracce di attività artigianali espletate in aree specificatamente adibite allo scopo. Oltre a informazioni di carattere architettonico, lo scavo della fossa di fondazione della capanna ha consentito di individuare un deposito rituale che evoca pratiche religiose. I risultati preliminari delle analisi antracologiche mostrano un paesaggio globalmente aperto incentrato su zone a destinazione agropastorale e aree boschive sfruttate per la raccolta di legname da ardere o da costruzione."

The archaeological site of Chinikihá, with its main occupation during the Late Classic Period (AD 700-900), is located within the northwestern Lowlands of the Maya area. It is surrounded by a large variety of ecosystems, rich in animal and vegetal resources that the site inhabitants exploited for their daily and ritual activities. The Proyecto Arqueológico Chinikihá (PRACH) has conducted a systematic collection of zooarchaeological and archaeobtanical samples from a midden associated with the Palace, in the ceremonial core of the site. The results suggest a diversified exploitation pattern. Presently, more than 53 plant genres have been identified of which 24 belong to the acahual, a type of secondary vegetation. Furthermore, the  zooarchaeological data coincide with the archaeobotanical results, suggesting an exploitation pattern focused on wild species, which come primarily from the acahual and adjacent agricultural land (milpa). The white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) is the dominant species. The faunal and vegetal results were then compared to contemporary data from modern Maya groups. It was possible to observe a series of similarities and differences that support our hypotheses that first, the landscape was modified by the inhabitants of Chinikihá, and secondly, that there was a heavy dependence on the wild resources for the celebration of ritual feasts.

A partir del sondeo arqueológico realizado en una dependencia del castillo de Cullera conocida como “Sacristía”, se analiza la secuencia estratigráfica documentada que abarca desde época islámica (ss. X-XI) hasta época contemporánea. Las abundantes cerámicas recuperadas y los análisis faunísticos y antracológicos nos permiten una aproximación a la cultura material, consumo y paleoambiente de los diferentes grupos humanos que habitaron el castillo, enriqueciendo el conocimiento sobre la evolución de esta fortificación andalusí.

In this paper we present the results obtained in the analysis of archaeological charcoal associated
to the colonial period (centuries from XVI to XVIII) recovered in Ciudad de Mendoza site.
Specifically, it was located in the contexts Ruinas de San Francisco, Alberdi e Ituzaingó and Edificio
Plaza Huarpe. In this work, we are interested to discuss the identification of charcoal remains of exotic
woody species, both introduced fruit trees as the peach (Prunus aff. persica), quince, apple or pear
tree (Aff. Cydonia/Malus/Pyrus) and vines (Vitis vinifera); as other trees such as guayacán
(Caesalpinia paraguariensis) or tamarind (Tamarix gallica). We will analyze the importance of
the use, from early times, of some of these woods as fuel in the context of no apprehension of native
landscape and the integration of wood gathering within the everyday activities of the colonial society.
On this basis, we will propose an entailment wider than the expected with the exotic fruit trees, since
generally we only used to associate their introduction to the importance of fruit as food. At the same
time, we will analyze the wood collection outside the extractive notion and within practices that
probably implied also the care of these introduced trees.

A partir del estudio antracológico de cuatro yacimientos arqueológicos de la cuenca del Alto Guadalquivir se realiza una síntesis de la dinámica vegetal durante la Prehistoria de la zona. El área estudiada presenta una dinámica vegetal parecida. Durante el Paleolítico Medio y Superior la zona se convierte en refugio de la vegetación arbórea, donde las influencias antrópicas tienen poca importancia. A partir de la introducción de una economía de producción, se observa la influencia de diversas actividades sobre la vegetación: la ganadería, el fuego, la agricultura y la minería. El impacto de estas sobre el medio varía de unos a otros sitios y también a nivel temporal, dependiendo de la formación vegetal sobre la que se actúe y de si la zona es o no de nueva colonización.

Palabras clave: Antracología, Paleolítico, Neolítico, Edad del Cobre, Edad del Bronce, Andalucía.

From the charcoal studies of four archaeological sites of the Upper Guadalquivir Basin, a synthesis is presented for the vegetation dynamics of the zone during Prehistory. The study area shows consistent vegetation dynamics. During the Middle and Upper Palaeolithic, the zone becomes a refuge for tree vegetation, where human influences are minor. From the introduction of a production economy, different activities notably influence the vegetation: grazing, fire, agriculture, and mining. The impact on the environment varies from site to site and also according to the time period, depending on the plant formation being acted upon and whether or not the zone is under new colonization.

Keywords: Charcoal Analysis, Palaeolithic, Neolithic, Copper Age, Bronze Age, Andalusia.

En el yacimiento arqueológico de Karea (Aia, Gipuzkoa), integrado por las cavidades contiguas de Karea-A y Karea-B, se recuperaron numerosos restos cerámicos y faunísticos (Karea-A) y vestigios de una inhumación calcolítica (Karea-B). El presente trabajo se ha vertebrado en dos ejes. En primer lugar, el estudio de ambos depósitos mediante diferentes disciplinas: (1) estudio antropológico; (2) estudio del ajuar, compuesto por restos cerámicos y faunísticos; (3) identificación antracológica de los restos leñosos recuperados en el depósito funerario y por último, (4) estudios isotópicos que nos han permitido obtener datos de la alimentación (δ 13 C y δ 15 N) y procedencia (87 Sr/ 86 Sr) del sujeto inhumado en el yacimiento. En segundo lugar, siendo este el objetivo preferente de este trabajo, contextualizar y establecer una comparativa con otras manifestaciones sepulcrales prehistóricas en cueva de la región. LABURPENA Karea-A eta Karea-B haitzuloez konposatutako historiaurreko Kareako (Aia, Gipuzkoa) aztarnategi arkeologikoan, zeramika, fauna zein kalkolitoko ehorzketa baten aztarnak berreskuratu ziren. Honako lan honek ondorioz, bi ardatz ditu. Alde batetik, deposituen azterketa diziplina desberdinen bidez: (1) azterketa antropologikoa; (2) hatua osatzen duten zeramika nahiz fauna aztarnen azterketa; (3) ehorzketan berresku-ratutako egur-ikatzen behaketa eta, (4) ehortzitako gizabanakoaren elikaduraren (δ 13 C y δ 15 N) eta jatorriaren (87 Sr/ 86 Sr) inguruan berri ematen diguten analisi isotopikoak. Bestetik, eta artikulu honen helburu nagusi izanez, kobazuloa bere testuinguruan kokatu zein, eskualdean dauden gainontzeko ehorzketa kobazuloekin alderaketa burutu. ABSTRACT Archaeological site of Karea (Aia, Gipuzkoa) was discovered in 2007 by Antxieta Jakintza Taldea (a Basque cultural-speleological aggru-pation from Azpeitia-Gipuzkoa-). This site has two contiguous cavities where different archaeological remains were discovered: Karea-A and Karea-B. Karea-A, which has small dimensions and an easy entrance, was excavated in 2008 by Antxieta Jakintza Taldea and Maria José Iriarte-Chiapusso (archaeologist and IKERBASQUE researcher). Faunal remains and abundant pottery remains were recovered there, suggesting a short time human occupation during prehistorical times. At the same time, the speleological group found a second cave which has a small and hidden entrance: Karea-B. The researchers supposed that the cavities were linked in the past, but, an internal collapse divided both caves. They also found some human bones in a small side gallery. The excavation of Karea-B in 2009 resulted in the discovery of a chalcolithic inhumation. Some pottery and fauna remains, which were identified like grave goods, were also found with the human body. Under this burial, charcoal fragments were recovered, suggesting a ritual or hygienic aim because there is no fire signal into the bones. We here present a multidisciplinary study of this archaeological deposit consisting of: (1) anthropological study; (2) pottery and faunal grave good assemblage study; (3) anthracological study of the wood recovered at the burial; (4) isotopic study to gain information on diet (δ 13 C and δ 15 N) and provenance (87 Sr/ 86 Sr) from the buried individual. Finally, we have contextualized this new finding amongst other cave burials from Gipuzkoa and especially in Urola Valley.

En este trabajo se presentan la metodología y los resultados de un estudio exploratorio de identificación taxonómica de maderas carbonizadas recuperadas en contextos arqueológicos. Las muestras analizadas proceden de dos sitios arqueológicos localizados en la margen izquierda del alto río Uruguay (municipio de Porto Mauá, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil). Los sitios Barra do Santo Cristo 1 y Três Bocas 2, con dataciones radiocarbónicas de ca. 410 y 500 años AP, corresponden a asentamientos residenciales asignados a la ocupación guaraní meridional. Si bien estos contextos presentan baja preservación de restos orgánicos, es común encontrar carbones dispersos en la capa de ocupación y
concentrados en estructuras interpretadas como fogones. Para la realización de este estudio se llevaron a cabo observaciones macroscópicas en las muestras seleccionadas de cada sitio y posteriormente se las complementó con análisis de microscopía electrónica de barrido. En base a las características morfológicas de las tres secciones diagnósticas, a la comparación con maderas actuales y a la consulta bibliográfica específica fue posible determinar taxonómicamente los macrorrestos vegetales. Un porcentaje mayoritario de ellos fue asignado a la familia Lauraceae. Por último, y de acuerdo a la información aportada por este análisis, se plantean interpretaciones acerca de la vegetación disponible en el ambiente y la selección de maderas como combustible.

In this article we outline the central areas of investigation carried out in the last 15 years of
research in the valley of Ambato (Catamarca, Argentina). We also present some of the discussions
and contributions to the overall project which has emerged over the years focusing on
archeoanthracology and pedoanthracology. These tools have allowed us to approach two particular
relations that we are currently rethinking: human-plants and human-climate plants within Aguada
from Ambato.

Resumen
Reseñamos en este artículo las principales líneas de investigación llevadas a cabo en los últimos
15 años de investigaciones en el valle de Ambato (Catamarca, Argentina). Presentamos asimismo
algunas de las discusiones y aportes al proyecto general surgidos a lo largo de estos años desde la
arqueoantracología y la pedoantracología. Estas herramientas han permitido una aproximación a dos
vínculos particulares que estamos actualmente repensando: humanos-plantas y humanos-climas en
el seno de Aguada de Ambato.

En el presente artículo se refieren los resultados de las excavaciones llevadas a cabo en el recinto 35 del Cerro Colorado de La Ciénaga, en el valle de Hualfín, Catamarca. Se trata de un sitio en altura, que comprende más de 100 recintos; los fechados obtenidos lo ubican con mayor probabilidad hacia el siglo XV. Durante las tareas se recuperaron más de 53 restos de maíces correspondientes a espigas enteras termoalteradas, que posibilitaron -por primera vez en el valle-, la identificación de ocho razas de maíces duros, semiduros y dulces. Por otra parte, las características constructivas del recinto, la detección de pozos circulares con sedimento fino, la presencia de un conjunto de vasijas finas y ordinarias junto a los restos arqueofaunísticos identificados, nos han llevado a proponer que en dicho espacio se procesaron comidas y bebidas, con la probabilidad de fabricación de chicha, que interpretamos correspondería a un nivel de producción doméstico.

S. Gorbanenko, M. Sergeyeva. Palaeobotanical researches in GornalThe article deals with the analysis of palaeobotanical materials from archaeological excavations of 2012—2013 in Gornal hillfort (Kursk region, Russia). Palaeoethnobotanical (remains of crops and weeds), and anthracological (charcoal) remains were examined.
The main result of palaeoethnobotanical study is an evidence of the high level of development of agriculture of the inhabitants of Gornal hillfort. According to the results of cluster and comparative analyzes, a grain husbandry in Gornal was in general identical to that from other Romny and Volyntsevo culture sites.
A study of charcoal from archaeological objects of Romny culture allowed to determine a set of local work timber. Oak (Quercus sp.), maple (Acer sp.), ash (Fraxinus sp.), elms (Ulmaceae), poplar / aspen (Populus sp.) were identified.
The present analysis of botanical residues from Gornal hillfort is an important compo-nent for future comprehensive studies of bioeconomic activity of inhabitants of psel river watershed in Romny culture and Old Rus period.
Key words: psel river watershed, hillforts of 9th—10th cent., Gornal hillfort, Romny culture, bioeconomic activity, palaeoethnobotany, anthracology.

Santa Elina rock shelter, in Central Brazil, is renowned for its astounding rock art, rare preservation of plant remains, and long-lasting occupation. Different groups of hunteregatherers dwelt in this place since the Late Pleistocene until Late Holocene, leaving many vestiges of their passage. Charcoal samples from its upper archaeological assemblage, at Sector West of the site (dated c. 2000e3500 BP), and from its intermediate archaeological assemblage, at Sector East (dated c. 9000e10000 BP), were analyzed according to standard anthracological methods. Samples of dispersed charcoal from four archaeological levels were analyzed in the former, and from eight combustion structures in the latter. Despite the heterogeneity in the assemblages, interesting palaeoenvironmental and palaeoethnobotanical results were produced. During the late Holocene the shelter was surrounded by a semideciduous forest similar to the present one, under similar climate. Similar conditions might have occurred in the early Holocene, or the vegetation could have been a more open cerrado physiognomy, thus under a drier climate. Firewood gathering strategies in both periods involved the opportunistic collection of dead wood. Evidence of firewood selection is presented for bamboo in the late Holocene and for Anadenanthera in the early and in late Holocene.

The site of Frijão in North-western Iberia was occupied during a period between the 4th and 2nd centuries BC and it is a very unique site in the context of the local Iron Age network. Its features suggest that it was a place to celebrate ceremonies related to feasting, in the same context 71 fragments of a riveted cauldron, seeds and fruits, burned bone, pottery and carbonised wooden manufactured pieces were found. These woodcrafts included a handle made of hazel wood (Corylus avellana), two fragments of one or more vessels of Rosaceae/Maloideae and four fragments of indeterminate objects made of oak (Quercus sp. deciduous) and alder buckthorn (Frangula alnus) wood. Other recoveries included fragments of oak charcoal interpreted as the charred remnants of a building made of perishable materials. The study of the archaeobotanical assemblages of Frijão highlighted the difficulties of interpreting the results of carbonised wood samples from fire-events – i.e. to distinguish between firewood and wooden manufactures – and the importance of registering dendrological and taphonomical data to go beyond taxonomical identification.
More Info: 10.1016/j.jasrep.2015.05.005

Human societies established productive strategies in order to obtain the material resources needed for their day- to-day life, including firewood and timber. These strategies were determined by the environmental supply, and also by the cultural characteristics and technical capacities of these communities. This paper presents charcoal analyses data from four Chalcolithic and Bronze Age open-air settlements located in the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula and occupied during the 3rd and 2nd millennia BC. These results contribute to the knowledge of the exploitation of wooden resources, of the territories where these resources were collected, and of the firewood and timber production process. The identified wood taxa point to a diversified exploitation of the territory, where firewood and timber were collected and/or felled in the deciduous woodland, the river banks and scrubland areas. The wooden resources consumed in each site allowed us to hypothesize about the territory of each community. The characteristics of wood parts used, degree of the tree-ring curvature, the minimum diameter of twigs or logs, the presence of tyloses or gum deposits, of reaction wood, of scars, etc.- as well as other data from archaeological contexts, such as the length of the post holes were all taken into account.
More Info: Poster apresentado ao 1st International Conference. Environmental Changes and Human Interaction Along the Western Atlantic Façade / IV Jornadas do Quaternário. Alterações Ambientais e Interacção Humana na Fachada Atlântica Ocidental, Org. Associação Portuguesa para o Estudo do Quaternário – APEQ, CEGOT, CITCEM, CGUP/UM, CCT/UM, Universidade de Coimbra (Portugal), 9 a 10 de dezembro de 2011