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Anthracology: Charcoal Analysis

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Encyclopedia of Global Archaeology

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Introduction

Anthracology is a transdisciplinary field of knowledge that applies to the study of ancient or extant charcoal macroremains. This discipline was developed in close association with Archaeology, but contributes to different fields such as Palaeoecology, Palaeobotany, Botany, Forestry, and Geology.

In Quaternary and pre-Quaternary sedimentary deposits, charcoal allows reconstruction of the palaeovegetation and palaeoclimate.

In archaeological sites, it provides palaeoecological data while also testifying the usages that past populations made of woody plants. This discipline sheds light on several issues of importance to Archaeology, such as the past landscape, dwelling space, site catchment area, fuel economy, use of wood in domestic and ritual contexts, among others. By these means, it allows a better understanding of ancient ways of life.

Extant charcoal is studied in a taxonomic approach (charcoal anatomy), or in association with foresters as a means of reducing illegal...

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References

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Arqueologia, Museu Nacional, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

    Rita Scheel-Ybert

Authors
  1. Rita Scheel-Ybert
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Rita Scheel-Ybert .

Section Editor information

  1. Department of Anthropology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA

    E. Christian Wells

  2. School of Human Evolution & Social Change, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA

    Arleyn Simon

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Scheel-Ybert, R. (2018). Anthracology: Charcoal Analysis. In: Encyclopedia of Global Archaeology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-51726-1_3201-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-51726-1_3201-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-51726-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-51726-1

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