Hi Alys,
I have found apple endocarp and seeds in several early deposits including
the large Mesolithic deposit of hazelnut shell in a large feature at
Staosnaig, Colonsay, Southern Hebrides:
Carruthers, Wendy J. (2000) The charred hazelnut shell and other plant
remains. In Steven Mithen,
Hunter-gatherer landscape archaeology. The Southern Hebrides Mesolithic
Project 1988-98.
Vol 2: Archaeological fieldwork on Colonsay, computer modeling,
experimental archaeology,
and final interpretations. McDonald Institute Monograph, p.407-415.
Also, halved apples and seeds were present in an undated but possibly
Mesolithic pit containing burnt flint at Charnham Lane, Hungerford
(unpublished), indicating probable drying for storage. Halving & leaving to
dry (without heat) also makes crab apples more palatable (I've tried it
myself), as described by Pat Wiltshire:
Wiltshire, Patricia E.J. (1995) The effect of food processing on the
palatability of wild fruits with high
tannin content. In H. Kroll & R.Pasternak (Eds) Res Archaeobotanicae. Proc.
9th IWGP
Symposium, Kiel, Oetker-Vosges, Kiel, 385-397.
I've also experimented with charring halved and uncut crab apples. The
halved, dried apples are much more likely to survive charring & burial, as
the whole, dried apples burst open and oozed.
I don't yet have clear evidence for ritual deposition, but it seems quite
likely. If you, or others, want a copy of my unpublished Hungerford report
you are welcome (a very old computer print out I'm afraid, mainly medieval
features).
Best Wishes,
Wendy
----- Original Message -----
From: "Alys Vaughan-Williams" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 21, 2010 9:24 PM
Subject: Malus endocarp
> Hello,
> I'm working on a few samples from a Neolithic enclosure site in Ireland.
> One sample from a possible cist contains a number of charred apple seeds
> (Malus sylvestris) and also a couple of fragments of endocarps. I have
> read Monk 1988 who found charred Malus endocarps. The article refers to
> the apples having been dried prior to charring. I was wondering if an
> endocarp has to be dried for it to be preserved through charring?
>
> The site is also believed to be ritual due to the artefacts recovered.
> Does anyone know of any examples of ritual deposition of apples? Would a
> whole apple thrown on a fire burn down to just the core / seeds? The
> only other material preserved in this sample were fragments of hazelnut
> shell (Corylus avellana) and a few cereal grains.
>
> Thanks
> Alys
> -----------------------------
> Alys Vaughan-Williams
> Consultant Archaeobotanist
> www.alysvaughanwilliams.co.uk
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