Variation of past wood use across local edaphic gradients reflects tree species ecology – Examples of the fine spatial resolution of kiln site anthracology

Abstract

Archaeological sites of charcoal burning represent one of the most important sources of evidence for past wood use in mountainous regions of western Central Europe. Thousands of historical wood charcoal kiln sites are known within the Black Forest alone. The wide distribution and high density of kiln sites indicate the great importance of wood charcoal production in the past. The preserved charcoal fragments associated with kiln sites provide unique opportunities to obtain detailed information on past tree species composition and the changes of forest landscapes with high spatial resolution. Furthermore, spatial relations and dependencies of past wood use on the natural diversity of the growth conditions, tree species distribution and wood supply could be verified. In our study we have analysed charcoal samples from traditional wood charcoal burning on a local spatial scale, characterized by groups of neighbouring kiln platforms lying close together in the landscape. Examples of the spatial resolution of kiln site anthracology already have been given of several regional or altitudinal landscape profiles and the corresponding ecological gradients in the Black Forest and Upper Rhine regions. By the study presented here, results from three local scale profiles lying within the same altitudinal belt of the Black Forest are given to evaluate the fine spatial resolution of such studies. The sites analysed from this area range over landscape profiles of several hundred metres only, but covering diverse ecological conditions in its surrounding. Charcoal samples have been collected from 60 postmedieval kiln platforms and undertaken an anthracological standard analysis including taxa and diameter determination. The results mirror the diverse topographic-edaphic characteristics (terrestrial, boggy and alluvial sites) of the charcoal burning platforms and the surrounding forests in detail. In conclusion, the local wood used by the charcoal burners seems to be closely dependent on the natural wood supply.