Charcoal
Charcoal is of crucial importance in archaeology as it provides a wealth of information about the past and environmental conditions that are of great significance for understanding human history and cultural development. Several aspects are of particular importance here:
Dating of archaeological sites: Radiocarbon dating is a basic method for determining the age of organic materials, including charcoal. Charcoal found during archaeological excavations can be used to determine the age of the site. This enables archaeologists to develop a precise understanding of the chronology and development of sites, cultures and historical events.
Reconstruction of environmental conditions: Analysing charcoal can provide insights into past environmental conditions. By analysing charcoal fragments, researchers can gain information about the type of vegetation that prevailed, forest fires and climate patterns. This is particularly important for understanding changes in the ecosystem over time and assessing their impact on human communities.
Identification of human activities: Charcoal can also provide evidence of human activity, such as the use of hearths that leave behind charcoal remains. Analysing these charcoal fragments can allow conclusions to be drawn about the type of fuel used, the techniques of fire use and the type of activities that took place at a particular site.
Preservation of organic materials: In some cases, charcoal can help to preserve organic materials that would otherwise have been lost due to decay or other decomposition processes. This is particularly important for the preservation of wood artefacts and other organic remains that can provide insights into past cultures and lifestyles
Sample properties
14C dating
The minimum quantity should be approx. 10 mg. If there is less, please get in touch with your contact person at CEZA.
Anthracology
The same characteristics are used for the anatomical determination of charcoal as for the classic microscopic determination of wood species in transmitted light. In contrast to the examination of wood, when determining the wood type of charcoal, no cut specimens are made, but rather fragments. This has the advantage that less material can be analysed more quickly. The minimum size of charcoal for analysing the wood species should be 2.5 to 5 mm. However, larger charcoals in the centimetre range are necessary to reliably determine the diameter and age class. To avoid further fragmentation, charcoals should be packed and padded to prevent breakage.