I agree with Marco as I have noticed exactly the deformed structures he
describes in charcoals from
Pinarbasi, a neolithic rockshelter site in Central Anatolia. On a
different front though I have to note here that vitrified charcoal is not
always "heavy" or impossible to section. In the samples from Pinarbasi
(where we were dealing essentially with open hearths used by hunters and
herders) it was evident in many cases that "vitrification" had affected
only the outer parts of the roundwood, (including the bark) and had left
the inner parts intact. By contrast in material I've looked at from some
Bronze Age sites, "vitrified" pieces were almost as heavy as stones and
despite their size completely impossible to identify. They looked like
"fossilized" actually. Reading Marijke's comments I found her explanation
quite thought provoking and likely. Finally, I have also observed the same
phenomenon with olive wood charcoal as Julie has. So, many explanations are
possible.
best wishes to all,
Eleni
At 09:49 27/08/04, you wrote:
>>Hello -- I have also noted "vitrified" charcoal from many
>>Mediterranean sites. This often shows distorted micro-structure and I
>>have always considered it the result of high temperature burning (also
>>on the basis of some experiments). Green wood burning should also show
>>"burst" cells as the cytoplasm is quickly transformed in vapour. Rays
>>seems to suffer more during green wood burning. Without burst cells I
>>would be more inclined to think that the wood was dry (or dryer than
>>just freshly cut).
>>
>>M
>>
>>Dr Marco Madella
>>Affiliated Lecturer, Department of Archaeology, University of Cambridge
>>
>>Research
>>Fellow
>>Director of Studies in Archaeology &
>>Anthropology
>>McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research St Edmund's
>>College
>>Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3ER (UK)
>>
>>Direct line: +44-(0)1223-763513 -- Lab phone: +44-(0)1223-333537 --
>>e-mail: [log in to unmask]
_________________________
Dr. Eleni Asouti
Research Fellow
Institute of Archaeology
University College London
31-34 Gordon Square
London WC1H OPY
UK
Tel (direct line): 020 7679 4723
Overseas: 44 20 7679 4723
Institute of Archaeology Fax: 020 7383 2572
Email: [log in to unmask]
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/archaeology/staff/profiles/asouti.htm
|