Category Archives: 2010 # 2

2010 # 2

2010–REVIEW

Cover 2010

CONTENTS

Isabelle THÉRY-PARISOT, Lucie CHABAL, Sandrine COSTAMAGNO

INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER 1
COMBUSTION OR WASTE DISPOSAL FEATURES AND TAPHONOMY

Bertrand MASSON

COMBUSTION FEATURES AND PERIGLACIAL STRUCTURES:
a new taphonomic analysis of Mousterian combustion features
at Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue (50)

Christopher E. MILLER, Nicholas J. CONARD, Paul GOLDBERG, Francesco BERNA

DUMPING, SWEEPING AND TRAMPLING:
experimental micromorphological analysis of anthropogenically modified combustion features

Dominique BOSQUET, Aurélie SALAVERT, Mark GOLITKO

CHRONOLOGICAL SIGNIFICATION OF LBK WASTE ASSEMBLAGES:
the contribution of anthracological, typological and stratigraphic data
from three LBK sites in the Hesbaye (Liège Province, Belgium)

Girolamo FIORENTINO, Cosimo d’ORONZO

AN ARCHAEOBOTANICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH TO IDENTIFYING SUCCESSIVE FIRE EVENTS
IN HEARTH STRUCTURES IN THE SANCTUARY OF APOLLO IN HIERAPOLIS (TURKEY)

CHAPTER 2
ARCHEOBOTANY AND TAPHONOMY

Marie-Pierre RUAS, Laurent BOUBY

CARBONIZATION, PRESERVATION AND DEFORMATION OF CARPOLOGICAL REMAINS

Isabelle THÉRY-PARISOT, Lucie CHABAL, Maria NTINOU, Laurent BOUBY, Alain CARRÉ

FROM WOOD TO WOOD CHARCOAL:
an experimental approach to combustion

Claire DELHON

PHYTOLITHS AND TAPHONOMY
the contribution of experimentation to the quantification of phytoliths in wood ashes

Laurent MARQUER

FROM MICROCHARCOAL TO MACROCHARCOAL:
reconstruction of the “wood charcoal” signature in Paleolithic archaeological contexts

Alexa DUFRAISSE, Dominique SORDOILLET, Olivier WELLER

THE ALTERATION OF NEOLITHIC WOOD CHARCOAL FROM THE SALT SPRING
OF POIANA SLATINEI IN LUNCA (NEAMT, ROMANIA):
a natural evolution or consequence of exploitation techniques?

CHAPTER 3
ARCHEOZOOLOGY AND TAPHONOMY

Ina REICHE

HEATING AND DIAGENESIS-INDUCED HETEROGENEITIES IN THE CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
AND STRUCTURE OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL BONES FROM THE NEOLITHIC SITE OF CHALAIN 19
(JURA, FRANCE)

Matthieu LEBON

CHARACTERIZATION OF BURNT BONES IN ARCHAEOLOGICAL CONTEXT:
a comparative study of modern and fossil material by infrared spectroscopy

Antoine ZAZZO

ISOTOPE GEOCHEMISTRY OF BURNED BONES:
implications for the reconstruction of diets and for radiocarbon dating

Sandrine COSTAMAGNO, Isabelle THÉRY-PARISOT,
Delphine KUNTZ, François BON, Romain MENSAN

TAPHONOMIC IMPACT OF PROLONGED COMBUSTION ON BONES USED AS FUEL

Magali GERBE

THE ACTION OF WEATHERING ON BURNED BONE:
an experimental approach

Maryline RILLARDON, Jean-Pierre BRACCO

REFLECTIONS ON THE POTENTIAL FOR PRESERVATION OF BURNED BONE
BASED ON THE MATERIAL FROM SAINT-ANTOINE (VITROLLES, HAUTES-ALPES)

Eugène MORIN

TAPHONOMIC IMPLICATIONS OF THE USE OF BONE AS FUEL

2010 # 2

2010-01–INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION

Isabelle THÉRY-PARISOT, Lucie CHABAL, Sandrine COSTAMAGNO

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The articles in this volume are the result of a roundtable entitled “The taphonomy of burned organic residues and combustion features in archaeological contexts”, held on May 27-29, 2008 at the CEPAM (UPR 6130) laboratory in Valbonne, France. This encounter took place partly in the context of the Multidisciplinary Thematic Network, “Taphonomy”, directed by Jean-Philip Brugal. The objective of this workshop was to review current and past taphonomic studies of burned organic remains and combustion features, to facilitate the sharing of knowledge and reference bases, as well as to initiate transdisciplinary collaborations and the development of collective research programs between different teams.

To cite this article

Théry-Parisot I., Chabal L., Costamagno S., 2010 – Introduction, in Théry-Parisot I., Chabal L., Costamagno S., The taphonomy of Burned Organic Residues and Combustion Features in Archaeological Contexts, Proceedings of the round table, May 27-29 2008, CEPAM, P@lethnology, 2, 1-4.
2010 # 2

2010-02-MASSON

Combustion features and periglacial structures:

a New Taphonomic Analysis of Mousterian
Combustion Features at Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue (50)

Bertrand MASSON

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Abstract

The Mousterian site of Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue (Manche), excavated by Gérard Fosse in the early 1980’s, has yielded around thirty combustion features. These features were excavated, described and interpreted without sufficient consideration of the periglacial processes that occurred during and after the human occupations. Based on observations of modern periglacial processes in active contexts, archaeological examples from sites in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region and experiments conducted at high altitudes by A. Pissart (1973 to 1987) and researchers in the ACR program “Taphonomy of Middle Palaeolithic assemblages in periglacial contexts” and “The Palaeolithic in the Quercy” (2004-2007), we reveal evidence of formal convergences between the periglacial structures and the forms and functions of the combustion features attributed to the Mousterian at Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue.

To cite this article

Masson B., 2010 – Combustion Features and Periglacial Structures: a New Taphonomic Analysis of Mousterian Combustion features at Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue (50), in Théry-Parisot I., Chabal L., Costamagno S., The taphonomy of Burned Organic Residues and Combustion Features in Archaeological Contexts, Proceedings of the round table, May 27-29 2008, CEPAM, P@lethnology, 2, 5-23.
2010 # 2

2010-03–MILLER-ET-ALII

Dumping, sweeping and trampling:

Experimental Micromorphological Analysis
of Anthropogenically Modified Combustion Features

Christopher E. MILLER, Nicholas J. CONARD,
Paul GOLDBERG, Francesco BERNA

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Abstract

Six experimental fireplaces were constructed to investigate the ability of micromorphology to identify anthropogenic reworking of combustion features and to build a reference base of experimentally-derived conditions to calibrate micromorphological conditions. After burning, the fireplaces were either swept out, swept out and the material dumped, trampled, or a combination of these three. Micromorphological examination showed that these processes produce distinct characteristics readily identifiable at the microscopic scale. The application of this experiment to combustion-related features at the Paleolithic site of Hohle Fels in Germany showed that micromorphological examination of anthropogenic deposits—supported by experimental observations —provides an important context in which to evaluate other classes of artefacts.

To cite this article

Miller C. E., Conard N. J., Goldberg P., Berna F., 2010 – Dumping, Sweeping and Trampling: Experimental Micromorphological Analysis of Anthropogenically Modified Combustion Features, in Théry-Parisot I., Chabal L., Costamagno S., The taphonomy of Burned Organic Residues and Combustion Features in Archaeological Contexts, Proceedings of the round table, May 27-29 2008, CEPAM, P@lethnology, 2, 25-37.
2010 # 2

2010-04–BOSQUET-ET-ALII

Chronological signification
of LBK waste assemblages:

the Contribution of Anthracological, Typological and Stratigraphic Data
from Three LBK Sites in the Hesbaye (Liège Province, Belgium)

Dominique BOSQUET, Aurélie SALAVERT, Mark GOLITKO

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Abstract

Considerations on the chronological signification of Linearbandkeramik (LBK) waste assemblages are presented in this study based on data from anthracology, ceramic seriation and vertical distribution of pottery in pits. Interesting evidence concerning the occupation chronology is provided and a more complex vision of LBK refuse disposal is proposed than that generally accepted. In particular, it is argued that pits, as they appear today to archaeologists, represent no more than a few years of use. It is likely that refuse was first dumped in surface middens, and gradually displaced afterwards to the pits we excavate today.

To cite this article

Bosquet D., Salavert A., Golitko M., 2010 – Chronological Signification of LBK Waste Assemblages: the Contribution of Athracological, Typological and Stratigraphic Data from Three LBK Sites in the Hesbaye (Liège Province, Belgium), in Théry-Parisot I., Chabal L., Costamagno S., The taphonomy of Burned Organic Residues and Combustion Features in Archaeological Contexts, Proceedings of the round table, May 27-29 2008, CEPAM, P@lethnology, 2, 39-57.
2010 # 2

2010-05–FIORENTINO-ORONZO

An archaeobotanical and experimental approach
to identifying successive fire events in hearth structures
in the sanctuary of Apollo in Hierapolis (Turkey)

Girolamo FIORENTINO, Cosimo d’ORONZO

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Abstract

We use anthracological and experimental approach for decoding fire refuses and thermal alterations of soil in an area of the Sanctuary of Apollo in Hierapolis (Turkey). Results obtained from experimental hearth structures show that the escharon is the result of a series of ground-level hearths, pit hearths and secondary ash deposits. Important ritual implications derive from the contextual identification of these fire events, that shed new light on the Apollo cult in the region.

To cite this article

Fiorentino G., d’Oronzo C., 2010 – An Archaeobotanical and Experimental Approach to Identifying Successive Fire Events in Hearth Structures in the Sanctuary of Apollo in Hierapolis (Turkey), in Théry-Parisot I., Chabal L., Costamagno S., The taphonomy of Burned Organic Residues and Combustion Features in Archaeological Contexts, Proceedings of the round table, May 27-29 2008, CEPAM, P@lethnology, 2, 59-68.
2010 # 2

2010-06–RUAS-BOUBY

Carbonization, preservation
and deformation of carpological remains

Marie-Pierre RUAS, Laurent BOUBY

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Abstract

In archaeological sites in temperate climates and with aerobic conditions, carbonized seeds represent the majority of preserved carpological remains. Among these, cereals, legumes and certain fruits are the most frequent. In this paper, we present a selection of experiments concerning the effects of carbonization on the deformation of seeds and fruits and on the differential preservation of carpological assemblages. These experiments explored the influence of parameters such as temperature, heating duration, oxidizing or reducing conditions and the initial state of the seeds in on the modifications of their forms and dimensions.They were conducted on hulled or naked caryopses, seeds of pea, apple and wild and cultivated grape seeds. Other experiments focused on the rapidity of destruction of the anatomical parts of ripe cereals (stem, rachis, glumes, caryopses) and acorns (casings, pericarps, cotyledons), and of the seeds of various wild or cultivated plants according to their physical and biological constitution. The results allow us to evaluate the taphonomic biases created by carbonization, which are detrimental to the specific identification of seeds and the interpretation of archaeological assemblages.

To cite this article

Ruas M.-P., Bouby L., 2010 – Carbonization, Preservation and Deformation of Carpological Remains, in Théry-Parisot I., Chabal L., Costamagno S., The taphonomy of Burned Organic Residues and Combustion Features in Archaeological Contexts, Proceedings of the round table, May 27-29 2008, CEPAM, P@lethnology, 2, 69-78.
2010 # 2

2010-07–THÉRY-PARISOT-ET-ALII

From wood to wood charcoal:

an Experimental Approach to Combustion

Isabelle THÉRY-PARISOT, Lucie CHABAL,
Maria NTINOU, Laurent BOUBY, Alain CARRÉ

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Abstract

The anthracological deposit as it appears in archaeological contexts is the result of successive taphonomic agents intervening at many stages from the gathering of wood, to combustion and post-depositional processes. These taphonomic agents constitute successive filters between the past vegetation and the charcoal studied. Therefore, the interpretation of charcoal remains should take into account the potential deformation between the anthracological spectra and initially burned wood.

This paper presents the methodological issues and the first results of an experimental cycle whose aim was to study one of these taphonomic agents: the combustion process. Does combustion involve differential preservation of burned wood species? Does charcoal quantification reflect the real proportion of burned species? Is it necessary to define a correctional index for anthracological data?

In order to answer these questions, 110 experiments were carried out under standardized laboratory conditions and more than 295000 charcoals were studied. Such factors as wood density or temperatures are often considered to play an active role in the fragmentation process of charcoal during combustion. As expected, the results indicate a differential behaviour of species, but one which proved to be independent of the expected factors, tending to show that the parameters that interact in the combustion process are of different nature. These factors increase the difficulty of defining a correctional index. Nevertheless, it seems that the quantification of charcoal reflects in a satisfactory manner the initial proportion of each of the burned species.

To cite this article

Théry-Parisot I., Chabal L., Ntinou M., Bouby L., Carré A., 2010 – From Wood to Wood Charcoal: an Experimental Approach to Combustion, in Théry-Parisot I., Chabal L., Costamagno S., The taphonomy of Burned Organic Residues and Combustion Features in Archaeological Contexts, Proceedings of the round table, May 27-29 2008, CEPAM, P@lethnology, 2, 79-91.
2010 # 2

2010-08–DELHON

Phytoliths and taphonomy

the Contribution of Experimentation
to the Quantification of Phytoliths in Wood Ashes

Claire DELHON

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Abstract

Ashes, the mineral residues of wood combustion, contain siliceous particles that can be preserved for long periods in archaeological sediments. Phytoliths can thus be useful indicators of combustion activities whose biodegradable or soluble remains have disappeared.
In this paper, an experimental evaluation of the potential of phytoliths for the quantitative and qualitative analysis of carbonized ligneous biomasses is presented. The results show: 1) that only a very small portion of ash is capable of resisting dissolution phenomena, 2) that phytoliths originating from ligneous tissues are only slightly characteristic from a taxonomic perspective, and 3) that it is not possible through a routine microscopic analysis to differentiate phytoliths derived from combustion and phytoliths liberated following a slow decomposition of organic material. It thus appears that strong concentrations of “wood” phytoliths can be an indicator of combustion, but that phytolithic analysis does not allow taxonomic identification of the ligneous combustible or evaluation of the quantity of biomass burned.

To cite this article

Delhon C., 2010 – Phytoliths and Taphonomy, the Contribution of Experimentation to the Quantification of Phytoliths in Wood Ashes, in Théry-Parisot I., Chabal L., Costamagno S., The taphonomy of Burned Organic Residues and Combustion Features in Archaeological Contexts, Proceedings of the round table, May 27-29 2008, CEPAM, P@lethnology, 2, 93-104.
2010 # 2

2010-09–MARQUER

From microcharcoal to macrocharcoal:

Reconstruction of the “Wood Charcoal” Signature
in Paleolithic Archaeological Contexts

Laurent MARQUER

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Abstract

The wood charcoal recovered during archaeological excavations represents only a partial image of the anthracological materials initially produced by human activities. Once buried, these objects are subject to diverse post-depositional processes that fragment them. While macrocharcoals (>500 μm) can be collected one by one and recorded within a coordinate system, or can be extracted by flotation and sieving during excavation, smaller fragments, such as “mesocharcoals” (500-160 μm) and micro charcoals (<160 μm), can be isolated from the sediments only through adapted procedures. A method of extraction and quantification through image analysis has thus been developed in order to record and evaluate the significance of the elements present in the finest sedimentary fractions. Such analyses have been applied in a Paleolithic context at the Magdalenian site of Grand Abri on the coteau de La Garenne (La Garenne hillside) (Saint-Marcel, Indre, France). This work shows that the quantity of charcoal found in the very fine sedimentary fractions (500-160 μm and <160 μm) is greater than that of the macrocharcoals. These quantifications allow us to reconstruct a “charcoal signature” from the macroscopic to the microscopic scale, and thus to identify, in situ, the smallest charcoal fractions resulting from the taphonomic processes that modified the archaeological site.

To cite this article

Marquer L., 2010 – From Microcharcoal to Macrocharcoal: Reconstruction of the “wood Charcoal” Signature in Paleolithic Archaeological Contexts, in Théry-Parisot I., Chabal L., Costamagno S., The taphonomy of Burned Organic Residues and Combustion Features in Archaeological Contexts, Proceedings of the round table, May 27-29 2008, CEPAM, P@lethnology, 2, 109-115.