Anthracological Analysis Research Articles

Les ressources en bois dans le bassin de clermont-ferrand du néolithique à la période romaine d’après l’analyse dendro-anthracologique

Dendro-anthracological analyses were performed on 19 archaeological sites located in the Limagne plain and dated from the 5th millennium BC to the 3rd century AD. Analyses concerned different archaeological contexts such as fireplaces, post-holes and settlement sites. The data shows a change in wood supply with time, namely the replacement of oak by beech between the 1st and the 2nd Iron Age. On the light of pollen records, this change does not seem to be related to a contemporary change in local wood availability as beech forests were already present in the area from the Bronze Age. Besides, the higher diversity of heliophilous taxa, the increasing trend of the oak fc. charcoal average tree ring width and the proliferation of sites reporting more than 10 % of small coals -i.e. branches, twigs reveal a heterogeneous vegetation context which included a low undergrowth cover like as hedges and thickets. Such environmental diversification reported from the early Iron Age, which is further stressed from the second Iron Age, corroborates the land use pattern documented in the Basse Auvergne from this age to the Roman period. This shows a progressively denser settlement with a land plot network and villae. Anthracological analyses presented in this article are a series of particular case-studies which interpreted all together enable us to define the timber resource management history of the Basse Auvergne from the Neolithic to the Roman period.

Anthracological analysis of fuel wood used for firesetting in medieval metallic mines of the Faravel district (southern French Alps)

This anthracological study of fuel wood used in the Faravel mines is part of a doctorate research programme conducted on the interrelationship between mines and forests of the Southern Alps during the Middle Ages. The study area is situated in the upper Durance valley, a major mining region from the 11th to the end of the 13th century. Man sought and extracted silver-bearing ore from the valley bottoms to the summit of the mountains. He employed firesetting to attack the hard gneiss bedrock. The study of residual charcoal has been used to measure the impact of the mining economy on the development of mountain forests. The example of the small district of Faravel situated in an upper mountainous region (1900–2150 m altitude), illustrates a supply anchored at subalpine level with a gradual extension of the source area towards the timberline. The anthracological spectra document extinction of Pinus cembra L. at subalpine level and the lowering of the upper limit of the dense forest dominated by Larix decidua Mill. These changes are the result of agropastoral and mining pressure, as testified by both surviving manuscripts and archaeology.

Late Pleistocene to Early Holocene natural and human influenced sediment dynamics and soil formation in a 0-order catchment in SW-Germany (Palatinate Forest)

This paper presents the dynamics of sedimentation processes and soil development of a steeply sloping 0-order catchment in the sandy Lower Bunter of the south-western mid-range mountains in the Palatinate Forest (Germany) during the transition period from the Late Glacial to the Early Holocene. Field investigations, chemical, physical, micromorphological and anthracological analyses revealed a complex palaeosol-sediment sequence along the thalweg of a dry valley, where a significant amount of the sediment from the adjacent slopes had been captured. The deposition of aeolian sands in the lowermost sediment layer took place in the early Late Glacial. The subsequent sediments were deposited by slope-wash and aeolian processes. It contains a higher amount of silt and dates from the Allerød. The occurrence of Laacher See Tephra (LST) indicates that this sediment has been near the surface around 12,900 cal. BP. It also shows characteristics of palaeosols similar to the Usselo/Finow soils in north-eastern Germany. In the overlying material, the amount of root remnants, other organic matter and rounded bone fragments possibly indicates the presence of people in this area. On top, alternating reddish brown, coarse to fine sand and small, partly rounded stones with some small intercalated aggregations of humic material rich in charcoal dating to between 11,000 and 12,000 cal. BP were deposited. The layers are overlain by clearly visible and evenly distributed wavy clay-illuviation bands typical for a Luvisol. In the upper metre, a Cambisol has developed. The sediment structure shows typical features of a flash-flood event in the Preboreal. The stratigraphy suggests that phases of sedimentation caused by water and aeolian erosion took place in the Allerød, Younger Dryas, and Preboreal. Discussion considers climate driven natural processes as well as the possibility that the manipulation of forest vegetation by fire through sedentary Mesolithic hunter–gatherer groups created open areas and enabled intensive soil erosion at a local scale.

Charcoal and pollen analyses and vegetation reconstruction of the Alpine foreland in West Hungary

Abstract In the area of archaeological excavations that were performed prior to the construction of Main Road No. 86 in Vas County (West Hungary) in the Alpine foreland new geoarchaeological analyses have been conducted. We used anthracology and pollen analyses to reconstruct the former vegetation cover at the study site. Charcoal data provide site-related information about the local woodland composition, management and human impact, while pollen data provide information on the arboreal and non-arboreal vegetation on a regional or local scale. Adequate samples for anthracological analyses derive from the Bronze Age, Iron Age, Imperial and Migration Periods and Middle-Ages archaeological objects. The core for pollen analyses originates from alluvial sediments of the Borzó Creek and covers the late Pleistocene and the Holocene until the Medieval Period. Charcoal analyses show the dominance of Quercus trees in the vicinity of the human settlements that might indicate a strong human selection, or the fragmentation of samples. Pollen analyses indicate thermophilous vegetation from the beginning of the Holocene, with increasing values of Fagus and Carpinus. Pollens of cereals indicate human activity, which is also demonstrated by the presence of pollen from Juglans and Vitis in the Iron Age sequence. Extensive forest clearance occurred in the Late Iron Age and the Imperial Period.

Holocene vegetation, fire and climate interactions on the westernmost fringe of the Mediterranean Basin

A new palaeoecological sequence from the western Iberian Central Range significantly contributes to the knowledge on the Holocene vegetation dynamics in central Iberia. This sequence supports the existence of time-transgressive changes in the vegetation cover during the beginning of the Holocene over these central Iberian mountains, specifically the replacement of boreal birch–pine forests with Mediterranean communities. Anthracological analyses also indicate the replacement of boreal pines (Pinus sylvestris) with Mediterranean ones (Pinus pinaster) during the early Holocene. The observed vegetation changes were generally synchronous with climatic phases previously reconstructed for the western Mediterranean region, and they suggest that the climatic trends were most similar to those recorded in the northern Mediterranean region and central Europe. Several cycles of secondary succession after fire ending with the recovery of mature forest have been identified, which demonstrates that the vegetation of western Iberia was highly resilient to fire disturbance. However, when the recurrence of fire crossed a certain threshold, the original forests were not able to completely recover and shrublands and grasslands became dominant; this occurred approximately 5800–5400 cal yr BP. Afterwards, heathlands established as the dominant vegetation, which were maintained by frequent and severe wildfires most likely associated with human activities in a climatic framework that was less suitable for temperate trees. Finally, our palaeoecological record provides guidelines on how to manage protected areas in Mediterranean mountains of southwestern Europe, especially regarding the conservation and restoration of temperate communities that are threatened there such as birch stands.

The use of wood in funerary pyres: random gathering or special selection of species? Case study of three necropolises from Poland

In this study, the analysis of charcoal remains from three prehistoric necropolises is presented. This botanical material formed part of funerary pyres and thus represents purposely gathered wood used for cremation ceremonies. Therefore, its anthracological analysis may indicate a special selection of wood, which may be a source of palaeoethnographic information about past rituals. However, a question remains as to whether or not the charcoal assemblages that originated from graves may also provide some palaeoecological information. In order to test both hypotheses, analysis of three Polish necropolises dating to the Bronze and the Iron Age were performed. In all charcoal assemblages, a taxonomic diversity among charcoals was detected, which may suggest that the wood was collected based on availability. This may also be inferred after observing that the presence of the most ubiquitous and frequently found taxa may be strongly correlated with present-day vegetation growing in the vicinity of the necropolises.

Attaque au feu au Bronze ancien sur le gîte de cuivre de Saint-Véran (Hautes-Alpes)

The copper deposit of Clausis Saint-Véran (Hautes-Alpes, France) is a lens of ore included between an oceanic substratum, with serpentinite and shale, and a sedimentary cover with marble and quartzite with riebeckite. The sulphide ore is a high-grade massive bornite (45/ 65% copper) associated with native copper. Prehistoric mining activity was located between 2 400 and 2 600 metres, and thus represents the highest mine in Europe for this period. The miners excavated the ore systematically in the oxidation rich outcrop, from the soft shale, in contact with the ore, up to a wall of quartzite. The mined ore was then taken down into the valley, 250 metres below the level of the mine, to the mineralogical/ metallurgical workshop of Cabane des Clausis for treatment. The metallurgists used all the technical processes necessary to change the ore into copper metal : hand-picking, washing, crushing and smelting. The earliest date obtained is 3815 ± 50 BP (2460-2140 cal. BC [ 2 σ] : Tucson AA22621), cf. Barge, 2002 and 2003 ; Barge ed., 2006. On the main vein, the most important extraction was from an open cut called Tranchée des Anciens. In places, the irregular and rounded rock faces show tool-prints (fine grooves, hammer marks) resulting from green stone picks and grooved mauls. Numerous well-conserved waterlogged wood fragments (pit-props, floor planks, sticks from torches) have dated the exploitation to between 3656 ± 44 BP (2189 -1888 cal. BC [ 2 σ] : Tucson AA36604) and 3418 ± 43 BP (1877-1618 cal. BC [ 2 σ] : Tucson AA36603). However the presence of charcoal remains is not necessarily proof of fire-setting in the mine, as they could come from torches. A second old mine working was discovered on the eastern branch of the copper deposit, at the top of the outcrop at an altitude of 2 650 m. Here, short excavations were dug into small secondary mineral veins (native copper ?). They show the prehistoric workers’ intensive search to collect copper ore from the slightest irregularities of the rock. Contrary to all expectations, traces of the fire-setting technique were found in this second zone, little studied previously. This exploitation, situated near a modern prospection (gallery no. 0) on a quartzite outcrop between shale and ophiolite, has been dated to the Early Bronze Age, between 3366 ± 42 BP (1750-1520 cal. BC [ 2 σ] : Tucson AA58833) and 3524 ± 41 BP (1960-1730 cal. BC [ 2 σ] : Tucson AA58831), which remains exceptional in the Southern Alps. This open cut, excavated over a surface of 5 m2, show a succession of circular or oval thermal hollows containing broken stones and charcoals. These hollows are the result of successive and contiguous fires with a diameter of 0.60 m. A hearth structure was preserved against the rock face and represents the last stage of an abandoned fire-setting attempt. The cross-section shows three particularly well characterised levels : a superficial filling material above a dense level of brown and grey sediments with numerous small plates of shale and quartz, then an unstable level with small plates of shale and quartz and charcoal. The ore was extracted with stone tools like those discovered in situ, including a riebeckite maul bearing percussion marks. Numerous small and dense cup-like marks are also visible on the green shale. More than one kilo of charcoals was collected during the excavation of the fire-setting open cut and from thermal hollows or hearths. From the point of view of species selection, it is obvious that the anthracological assemblage is not very rich. Only three species were identified, all trees. They were Pinus Cembra, largely dominant in our results, larch and pubescent birch. No shrubs, such as juniper, bilberry or rhododendron, were identified, pointing to a deliberate choice of the wood used. Pinus Cembra was especially selected for fire-setting, while larch and birch were merely occasional. On the contrary, the results of the anthracological study of the underground workings showed a preference for Norway pine/ Mugho pine. These results confirm those of the anthracological analysis of the fire-setting open cut, the underground workings and the mineralogical/ metallurgical workshop. Therefore, anthracological analysis of the material found in the fire-setting open cut at Saint-Veran provides interesting information about the choice of the combustible used preferentially for fire-setting, i. e. Pinus Cembra. It also proves that the alpine vegetation around the site was more wooded than at present and that prehistoric men used the wood found nearby. Thus, the mining activity largely contributed to deforestation of the mountainside and to rarefaction of the Pinus Cembra.

Flood frequencies reveal Holocene rapid climate changes (Lower Moulouya River, northeastern Morocco)

AbstractCurrent high‐resolution palaeoenvironmental records reveal short‐term Holocene coolings. One of these major Holocene rapid climate changes occurred between 3.2 and 2.7 cal. ka BP. The sensitivity of river systems vis‐à‐vis slight and short‐term Holocene climatic variations is a subject of controversy in the scientific community. In this paper, we present a 4.0 to 1.4 cal ka BP palaeoflood record from the Lower Moulouya River (northeastern Morocco) to demonstrate the high sensitivity of semiarid rivers in the southwestern Mediterranean towards Holocene environmental changes. The Lower Moulouya flood deposits are characterised by thick, well‐stratified, predominantly clayey to silty overbank fine sediments. These cohesive sediments show evidence of excellent preservation conditions against fluvial erosion and contain a continuous record of mid to late Holocene flood sequences. The Moulouya palaeoflood record can be interpreted in the context of regional and global high‐resolution proxy data, revealing a strong coupling with Holocene rapid climate changes. The centennial‐scale Moulouya palaeohydrological history will be discussed with palaeoenvironmental data from the same record (palaeomagnetics, sedimentary charcoal record, anthracological analyses, snail analyses) to generate new ideas about the mid to late Holocene hydrological cycle in the southwestern Mediterranean. The deduced features of pronounced Lower Moulouya flooding and the decreased fire recurrence during Holocene cooling remain somewhat inconsistent with the interpretation of other palaeohydrological and paleaoecological records from the southwestern Mediterranean. However, enhanced Lower Moulouya flood frequencies between 3.2 and 2.7 cal. ka BP agree with increased floodplain aggradation in other major river systems of Mediterranean North Africa. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Los Techos del Vecino: análisis antracológico de restos de construcción carbonizados de los sitios "Iglesia de los Indios" y "Piedras Blancas" (Catamarca)

The archaeological record of Ambato valley, in northwestern Argentina, has the particularity of preserving the timber used in the construction of the settlings, due to the fires that affected the region by the 11th century. We taxonomically identified 105 sample trunks, used as posts and beams in the construction of the “Iglesia de los Indios” and “Piedras Blancas”. The anthracological analysis revealed differences in the choice of timber, as for the Piedras Blancas site the material was from the valley itself, while for the Iglesia de los Indios site the timber came from outside. Based on those results, we discuss similarities and particularities between both sites about the selection, use and meaning of the different forest resources.

Plant economy during the Neolithic in a mountain context: the case of “Le Chenet des Pierres” in the French Alps (Bozel-Savoie, France)

The analyses of archaeobotanical assemblages recovered in recent excavations in the northern French Alps permit a better understanding of the way people managed plant resources in a mountain context during the Middle Neolithic (4500–3500 cal b.c.). The aim of this paper is to shed new light on the question of crop cultivation as well as wood gathering and management from the results of the new archaeobotanical investigations at “Le Chenet des Pierres” in Bozel (Savoie, France; 1,000 m. a.s.l.). The study reveals the presence of cereals like einkorn (Triticum monococcum), emmer (T. dicoccum), naked wheat (T. aestivum/durum/turgidum) and barley (Hordeum vulgare/distichon). In addition wild fruits and nuts, probably gathered, such as hazelnuts (Corylus avellana), wild apples (Malus sylvestris), arolla pine kernels (Pinus cembra), sloes (Prunus spinosa) and raspberries (Rubus idaeus) were recorded. The anthracological analysis shows that the occupants exploited mostly a mixed oak forest, and the available woodland from the alluvial forest to the mountain areas. With the archaeobotanical study of “Le Chenet des Pierres” we also want to raise the question of crop cultivation in a mountain context. Although present data show that cultivation at higher altitudes is common, it is still difficult to demonstrate the inhabitants cultivated plants near their settlement during the Neolithic.

Environment and landscape management during the Middle Neolithic in Southern France: Evidence for agro-sylvo-pastoral systems in the Middle Rhone Valley

Rescue excavations in the Middle Rhone Valley have provided opportunities to develop innovative strategies for the study of palaeoenvironments. These strategies involve sampling and analysis of botanical remains, recovered not only from archaeological sites but also in “off-site” pedosedimentary sequences thought to be poor in botanical remains. Thus, these remains (phytoliths, pedo-charcoal) give access to unexplored depositional contexts, such as alluvial plains. Moreover, off-site data are useful because they minimise the hazard of cultural bias (e.g., selection of species during wood gathering). Comparison of data collected in the alluvial plain with data obtained via anthracological analyses of karstic caves and rock-shelters in the hinterland suggests a complex agro-sylvo-pastoral management of the landscape during the Middle Neolithic. We propose a pattern that supposes considerable specialization in use of plains vs. slopes in the landscape, and a strong and continuous human pressure on the vegetation and soils between 4500 and 3500 cal BC. Nevertheless, these constraints are not sufficient to explain the persistence of such a system for more than a millennium. Favourable climatic conditions are thought to have been a determining factor in the persistence of an ecologically meta-stable relationship between human societies and their natural environment.

Esquisse au charbon de bois des paysages d'altitude des Alpes du sud (France)

Pedoanthracological analysis is based on the identification and dating of charcoal fragments buried in soil. This method makes it possible to reconstruct with high spatial accuracy the history of burnt ligneous vegetation. When applied to the uppermost belt of the southern inner French Alps, it allows us to reconstitute the landscape history related to human activities. All of the samples (thirty four) derived from the treeless belt between 1950 m and 2919 m provided charcoal fragments. The latter are the testimony to the role of burning episodes in the establishment of present vegetational structures. Anthracological analysis shows that the upper forest belt as a whole was colonized by arolla pine (Pinus cembra L.) and larch (Larix decidua Mill.) : up to 2400 m, forest communities were relatively closed and dominated by the arolla pine. Between 2400 m and 2700 m, plant communities consisted mainly of a Juniperus arid Ericaceae heath, with scattered arolla pines and larches : the treeline reached 2700 m. Results show that the upper forest limit was about 500 m higher than today. Charcoal datings ranging from 5 000 BC to present demonstrate that agro-pastoral activities are responsible for vegetation changes and landscape structures. The present upper forest belt is the consequence of both human activities and climatic conditions.

Corondó: palaeoenvironmental reconstruction and palaeoethnobotanical considerations in a probable locus of early plant cultivation (south-eastern Brazil)

The site of Corondó, situated in Campos Novos, in the São Pedro D'Aldeia municipe (Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil), was dated between c. 4000 and 3000 years BP. The high prevalence of dental caries in its population suggests that it might have been a locus of plant cultivation, a hypothesis supported by the presence of diverse plant remains and by the high frequency of grinding artefacts at this site. Anthracological analysis aimed to identify the environment of the site. The charcoal spectrum suggests that it was situated in a restinga forest, near to the Atlantic forest and with the presence of mangrove and open restinga in the environment. Firewood supply was probably obtained by the random gathering of dead wood. The combination of anthracological results with data provided by archaeological and bioanthropological research indicated that the population which constructed this site (1) had a relatively stable sociocultural system; (2) carried out a range of individual activities that remained constant throughout the occupation period; (3) lived in a relatively stable environment.

Firewood management and woodland exploitation during the late Neolithic at Lac de Chalain (Jura, France)

The paper presents results of the charcoal analysis from the lakeshore settlement of Chalain 4 in the French Jura (Dep. Franche-Comte), dated by dendrochronology from 3040 to 3000 bc. The investigated material comes from waterlogged organic layers (excluding fire events) where charcoals are assumed to be the residues of domestic fires only. The anthracological (charcoal) analysis reveals a complex domestic firewood management in balance with the social organisation and the technical and economic systems of the settlement. This firewood economy is characterised by the avoidance of wood species intended for other activities, such as building or foddering, and by the preferential use of wood less than 10 cm in diameter. The areas from which firewood was obtained are also connected to woodland clearance for cultivated land, which suggests that firewood was gathered along the paths, which were travelled daily.

Anthracological analysis from Kovacevo, southwest Bulgaria: woodland vegetation and its use during the earliest stages of the European Neolithic

Wood charcoal analysis from Kovacevo in southwest Bulgaria, one of the earliest Neolithic sites in southeastern Europe, provided information about the first stages of anthropogenic impact on vegetation during the Early Neolithic (6159–5630 cal b.c.). Deciduous oak was the most abundant and frequently used taxon in the wood charcoal assemblages. Cornus charcoal was also abundant, probably connected with the use of its twigs as building material in wattle and daub structures. The dominant deciduous oak forest was opened during the Kovacevo I period, as shown by evidence from the Kovacevo Ia and Kovacevo Ib occupation phases. Other types of vegetation, like Black pine (Pinus nigra) woodland, riverine forests and some sub-Mediterranean elements, were used only sporadically, indicating high and sustained availability of wood resources in the oak forests. Anthropogenic impacts were gradual, a pattern that matches contemporary studies elsewhere in the region.

Pollen, herds, jasper and copper mines: economic and environmental changes during the 4th and 3rd millennia BC in Liguria (NW Italy)

This paper reviews the interdisciplinary projects carried out during the last 25 years in eastern Liguria (NW Italy). These have brought together archaeologists, geographers, palaeobotanists and historians in a series of research exercises based upon many different types of evidence: archaeological excavation and survey, ecological analysis of existing landscapes, geoarchaeological, anthracological and palynological analyses. Taken together, the results of this research provide a rich source of material for developing an understanding of how humans in eastern Liguria have interacted with the landscape through time. The influence of human activity on the vegetation of Liguria, in the Late Neolithic, Copper Age (Chalcolithic) and Bronze Age, is part of a complex system of agricultural activity mainly involving transhumant pastoralism. Several peat sites and buried soils have supplied the palaeoecological data that indicate the considerable effect of this economic activity on the landscape: a reduction in fir woodland, a decrease in arboreal species and an increase in the diversity of light demanding herbaceous and fern taxa. The environmental and economic changes during the 4th and 3rd millennia BC in eastern Liguria are also testified to by the starting of quarrying and mining activities to obtain both red jasper and copper.

Holocene palaeoenvironmental evolution in the São Paulo State (Brazil), based on anthracology and soil δ13C analysis

This paper presents a reconstruction of the Holocene palaeoenvironmental evolution in the central São Paulo State (Brazil) based on anthracological analyses, in association with soil isotopic composition (δ13C) and radiocarbon dating from four sites. Anatomical identification of charcoal particles allows the reconstitution of past plant associations, and consequently of the vegetation and climate history. Rather precise interpretations may be achieved when associating anthracology and soil δ13C analysis. In the early Holocene, climate was dry and an open cerrado vegetation (savanna) covered most of this area. A cerradão (forested savanna) or a semideciduous forest existed in the more humid localities. After 3500/3000 14C yr BP the climate was more humid, similar to the present, leading to the establishment of forested vegetation in all the studied sites. Com parison of these results with various palaeoenvironmental studies carried out in the Brazilian phytogeographical zone of cerrado and semideciduous forest suggests that at least its greater part presented a similar trend in the climatic evolution during the Holocene. This phytogeographical zone presented a dry climate during the early Holocene, then a more humid climate during the late Holocene. Climatic conditions similar to the present appeared from 5000 to 1000 yr BP, depending on the site.

Man and Vegetation in Southeastern Brazil during the Late Holocene

Despite the great interest shown by archaeologists in the environment of Brazilian fisher–gatherer–hunter populations and their diet, little is known. Desiccated plant remains are rarely recovered in these archaeological sites, but charcoal, an invaluable source of palaeoenvironmental information, is usually abundant. Six shell-mounds from the southeastern coast of Rio de Janeiro State (Brazil) were studied. Anthracological analysis of over 15,500 charcoal fragments showed that this region was covered by different plant associations during the Late Holocene, and that no significant variations affected the vegetation during this period. Palaeoethnological observations suggest that the random gathering of dead wood supplied most of the wood fuel used by man. Gathering of plant food was certainly much more important to these populations than it has been previously thought. The great number of carbonized palm fruit shells, seeds and monocotyledon tubers found testifies to their importance on human diet.

Résultats préliminaires des études palynologiques et anthracologiques du site phénicien punique de Tharros (Sardaigne).

This study is aimed at the reconstruction of the physic and anthropic environment in the phoenician- punic site of Tharros, located on the Western coast of Sardinia. Since its origin this site is characterized by the role of leadership in economy, craftsmanship and administration politics, that it will have in the punie eparchy of Sardinia. The samples traited for the palynological analysis were found to be quantitatively poor in pollen but mostly rich in pollen types (about 60). The reconstructed flora exhibits a predominance of herbaceous taxa. The constant presence of Cupressaceae type Juniperus, Quercus type ilex/coccifera, Corylus, Cistus, Ericaceae and Olea pollen, proves the presence of a maquis with a few trees. The anthracological analysis of the charbon rests from fires also confirms this hypothesis. Among the herbaceous dominant species it is possible to find pollen of cultivated (cabbage, mustard, fennel, carrot, broad bean, lentil, garlic, onion, cereals) or ruderal plants (Urtica, Plantago, Asteroideae, Cichorioideae, Chenopodiaceae), accompanying the human presence on the territories ; the low frequencies of cereals would exclude they were the only cultivation on the area. The current state of the studies make us thinking that Carthago could have granted Tharros a relative diversity of cultivations : cereals, crops, orchards.

Le site néolithique moyen de Derrière-les-Prés à Ernes (Calvados)

The Derrière-les-Prés passage grave at Ernes (Calvados) is situated 25 km south of Caen, on the western slope of the Laizon valley. It was partially explored around 1840 par Mr Bellivet, member of the Société des Antiquaires de Normandie. The recent large scale excavation ended in 1990. Under the remains of the levelled limestone dry stone walled monument and its rubble, artefacts and features corresponding to two anterior occupation phases were fossilized in the ancient land surface. The oldest occupation can be clearly attributed to the Cerny civilisation by a concentration of pottery and lithic artefacts. The radiocarbon dating of a surface hearth (4740- 4070 B.C.) preserved under the monument enables us, with some reservations, to associate the feature to the Cerny period. The second occupation before the use of the grave is attributed to the Middle Neolithic II, by scarcer lithic and pottery artefacts. The radiocarbon dates from two hearths in shallow pits under the rubble (4072-3797 and 4080-3743 B.C.) enable us to attribute them either to a domestic occupation prior to the grave, or to an occupation associated to its erection and use. The monumental phase begins with the laying out of the funerary chamber, probably by temporary pegging, marked in the ancient ground level by a circle of post hole stones. This state has not been dated, neither has the construction of a double faced wall. The later consolidation however, consisting of an annular mass of stones, is dated by animal bones abandoned in the stone work (3950-3528 B.C.). The grave use is certified by a bone date (3950-3190 B. C.) from a single skeleton, that of a dwarf, found partially in situ. A pedestal based dish found in the sepulchral area confirms that the passage grave was in use during the Middle Neolithic II. The mid-neolithic environment is mainly defined by anthracological analysis. The results show selective use of large pines and oaks. The presence of ash shows use of valley bottom resources. Hazel and Pomaceaous trees mark the transition to the agrarian space in which we find cereal growing (wheat), and classical animal husbandry (Bovidae, Ovicapridae and pigs) in a not well defined area.