Charcoal and pitting

From: Brian Matthews <brian.matthews@tiscali.co.uk>
Subject: Charcoal and pitting
Date: Fri, 15 Nov 2002 17:31:10 +0000

Next Article (by Author): Re: [IAWA Forum] Computer-virus "Dr. Dirk Dujesiefken"
Previous Article (by Author): Computer-virus "Aichbauer & Schmid"
Top of Thread: Charcoal and pitting Philippe Gerrienne
Articles sorted by: [Date] [Author] [Subject]

I have had experience with identification of archaeological charcoal and 
found SEM examination of fractured surfaces to provide the best detail 
with no loss of structure of scalariform plates, tertiary thickenings 
etc. For comparison I would make charcaol from reference material by 
wrapping it in foil and heating at 400 C for an hour in a furnace (at 
this temperature the volatiles would be driven off leaving a 'clean' 
charcaol). Again there would be no obvious loss of detail if the surface 
is simply fractured. With material that was too difficult to make 
informed judgement on I could only assume this was the result of excess 
heat or decay or degradation prior to charcoalification?

Brian Matthews

Go to OSU College of Forestry LWGate Home Page.