I have often seen this in Mediterranean material from different
contexts. When the wood is identifiable it is usually olive and I
have attributed it to the intense heat generated by the oily wood. I
am interested to hear of the possibility of charcoal used as fuel or
reburning of wood in a hearth. I am teaching palaeoethnotobtany this
semester so the students and I may try some experiments along these
lines.
Sincerely,
Julie
--
Julie Hansen
Chair
Department of Archaeology
Boston University
675 Commonwealth Ave.
Boston, MA 02215
(617) 353-3415 (office)
353-2637 (direct/voicemail)
fax (617) 353-6800
e-mail [log in to unmask]
