Firewood and timber collection and management strategies from early medieval sites in eastern England. Initial results from the anthraco-typological analysis of oak charcoal remains

Abstract

The study of charcoal from archaeological sites often focuses on merely the identification of taxa. However, the anthraco-typological analysis of oak charcoal offers extensive evidence about the wood diameter, growth pattern, and minimum age of the trees selected for harvest. This in turn gives valuable data on palaeoecology and woodland management. This review focuses on early stage results from oak charcoal remains from three early medieval rural sites in eastern England, dating from the 5th to the 9th century AD. Over 200 fragments of oak charcoal were selected and examined to identify the size class of the wood, the growth patterns and whether the wood was sapwood or heartwood. This has then given evidence of timber and fuel wood collection strategies and woodland management regimes. The data has provided additional evidence on the nature of the sites’ features. Furthermore, the analysis has allowed comparisons to be drawn between the three contemporary sites, as well as to expand the archaeobotanical record to a more detailed understanding of the environment around these settlements. Exceptional material from the early medieval site of Flixborough has allowed a unique insight into the selection of timber and possible long-term woodland management strategies undertaken in the area during the mid 8th to 9th century AD. The results will be discussed regarding the economic and environmental context, demonstrating the value of dendro-anthracological tools in adding additional detail and a new understanding of these sites.