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Environmental Archaeology
The Journal of Human Palaeoecology
Volume 10, 2005 - Issue 1
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Articles

Reconstructing Woodland Vegetation and its Exploitation by Past Societies, based on the Analysis and Interpretation of Archaeological Wood Charcoal Macro-Remains

Eleni AsoutiInstitute of Archaeology University College London, 31-34 Gordon Square, LondonWC1H OPY, UK;, Email: [email protected]
&
Phil AustinInstitute of Archaeology University College London, 31-34 Gordon Square, LondonWC1H OPY, UK
Pages 1-18 | Published online: 18 Jul 2013
 
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Abstract

In this paper the significance of the analysis of archaeological wood charcoal macro-remains as a tool for the reconstruction of woodland vegetation and its exploitation is discussed. Drawing from both older and more recent publications a number of theoretical and methodological approaches are examined. It is suggested that greater integration of charcoal and archaeological data is needed when evaluating charcoal preservation and sample composition, and that a more coherent theory of the complex ecological and cultural processes affecting species availability and firewood management needs to be developed.

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