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This paper presents the results of a multidisciplinary study of the necropolis of Salve (Lecce-south Puglia-Italy), in which tumuli were used as funerary monuments from the mid-4th to the mid-3rd millennia BC. Both cremation and burial rituals are attested. The discovery of anthracological finds among the remains of cremations in the necropolis of Salve offered an opportunity to study the role of plants in the funerary rituals of the Eneolithic communities of Puglia. The anthracological analysis sought to reconstruct the phases of the cremation ritual not directly visible at the site, such as the ignition of the pyre and the collection and transport of the burnt remains.The identified wood species are typical of the local Mediterranean vegetation, and consist mostly of evergreen oak (Quercus type ilex), deciduous oak (Quercus type deciduous) and olive (Olea europaea). Given the high energy density of these species, it is possible that they were used to sustain the prolonged fire of the pyre. Other wood species include green shrubs (Rhamnus/Phillyrea) and plum (Prunus sp.), perhaps used to start the fire.Differences between the mounds are visible in the selection of the fuel and are partly reflected in the building technique and the arrangement of the bodies inside the funerary structures. The results of the anthracological analysis offer new insights into prehistoric funerary rituals and provide a new perspective on the funerary customs of the Eneolithic communities of Puglia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyses and discusses the fuel and plant offerings found in 174 primary (pyre remains) and secondary contexts (ritual pits) of the necropolis of Via XVII in Bracara Augusta (Braga), in northern Portugal. This site is one of the largest Roman funerary complexes in the Iberian Peninsula, spanning from the last decades of the 1st century BC to the 7th century AD. More than 42500 charcoal fragments, comprising 44 different taxa, were analysed. Wood from deciduous Quercus was the most frequent, although other taxa such as Fraxinus sp., Fabaceae, Salix sp., Prunus sp., Rosaceae Maloideae and Castanea sativa were also relevant. The main criteria for the wood collection and use in the pyres might have been its availability in the region, although symbolic factors cannot be discarded. Evidence of wood from Fagus sylvatica and Pinus sylvestris , allowed to discuss the range of wood catchment area. A total of 407 remains of fruits and seeds were also identified in the samples, including shells of Juglans regia nuts, seeds and cones of Pinus pinea, endocarps of Prunus avium , P. domestica and P. persica , cotyledons of domestic pulses and a fragments of Cupressus sempervirens fruits. These remains were associated with symbolic and ritual aspects of the roman cremation ceremony. The results obtained were interpreted and contextualized according to their known use in the ritual process of Roman cremations by reviewing data from classical literary sources and other sites throughout the Roman Empire. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides a critical review of the main methodological achievements in sampling and quantitative analysis in anthracology, the study of wood charcoal macro-remains from archaeological contexts. The application of appropriate sampling protocols is a prerequisite for the study of all types of archaeo-anthracological assemblages, particularly when it comes to the study of wood fuel waste. Sampling directly impacts the quantitative taxonomic composition of a charcoal assemblage and its representativeness with regard to reconstructing ancient woodland composition. The selection of contexts and deposits appropriate for this purpose, the spatial sampling of charcoal scatters, sieving methods and mesh size, what constitutes optimal sample size and the outcomes of charcoal fragmentation, are all discussed. Provided that appropriate methods are followed, the case for the palaeoecological representativeness of archaeo-anthracological fuel waste deposits is argued in detail. This also includes a discussion of the contribution of laboratory experiments to understanding the impacts of combustion and post-depositional processes on archaeological charcoal preservation and the implications of fuelwood properties for wood collection. We argue that ancient firewood use was predicated principally on wood availability in past vegetation and its interdependence with ancient landscape management practices. Lastly, we discuss the application of multivariate methods in anthracology, and the insights they may provide for reconstructing archaeological charcoal taphonomy, and past woodland vegetation and fuel uses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous methodological developments in the field of anthracology have led to the definition of rigorous sampling methods in archaeological contexts, which provide highly accurate and reliable taxonomic frequency spectra as a basis for understanding past woodland vegetation. However, the fuelwood taxon frequency spectra represent a synthetic picture of forest composition in the environs of an archaeological site. Our aim in this paper is to describe the heterogeneity of woodland distribution. The Abeurador cave (Hérault) in the south of France, has previously provided an exceptionally rich palaeoecological study. We further explore the spatial frequency distributions of the charcoal taxa found in charcoal scatters from two layers dated to the Mesolithic (Preboreal). The frequencies of abundant taxa have a unimodal distribution in the sampled grid squares, close to the normal distribution. The ratio s2/m (variance/mean) termed the 'distribution index', estimates the regularity of distribution of each taxon in the grid squares. We hypothesized that the frequency distribution of a taxon in a layer could be considered to be its statistical sampling distribution (i.e. probability distribution) in the firewood collection catchment at a given time, since the quantity of this taxon fluctuates in each firewood assemblage according to its probability of collection, relating to its distribution heterogeneity (or accessibility) in the past environment. The distribution index was then used to estimate the heterogeneity of the palaeoenvironmental distribution of each taxon and thus its random, uniform or clustered distribution. On this basis, we propose a mapped restitution of the evolution of the main woodland species in the surroundings of the Abeurador during the Early Holocene, integrated with the whole sequence dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to investigate the Sibudu Cave habitat that is dated to the late Pleistocene using archaeological wood charcoal, in order to reconstruct the environment and the activity of the people who interacted with the landscape. Standard anthracology procedures were applied in this qualitative study to analyse charcoal remains from the cave. A representative subset of charcoal remains was subsampled from a larger assemblage and environmental data, as well as evidence of wood use, are interpreted from 72 charcoal types that include 42 types that we identified taxonomically. We highlight that the environment at Sibudu supported a multi-layered Forest with Savanna vegetation based on the presence of many important taxa of these vegetation communities. The wood of the identified taxa has much rot fungi and was also burrowed by pests; however, it is not possible to infer at this stage if the fungi seen here were pathogenic. The presence of fungi is indicative of an environmental setting with high humidity and warm temperatures, such as is optimal for these types of fungi to flourish. Climatic conditions interpreted here agree with previous interpretations that were made from other environmental proxies. These conditions were only intense enough to disturb the microhabitat at Sibudu and did not change the vegetation near the cave. Also noted during the analysis, is that burning wood logs that were infected with brown rot consistently from c.73 to 72 ka probably produced very warm fires. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recovery and analyses of perishable non-charred archaeological wood is extremely rare. Traceological analyses in general are still scarce and mainly focused on waterlogged remains. Ancient desiccated wood from the Canary Islands offers an exceptional opportunity to identify the processes and techniques of the indigenous populations prior to the arrival in the 14th and 15th centuries AD of European colonists. This paper offers xylological and morpho-technological data linked to artefacts recovered in cliffside Prehispanic communal granaries in Gran Canaria (Canary Islands, Spain). The findings gleaned from a combination of xylological and traceological analyses are for the moment the first of their type of the archipelago's indigenous contexts. The data suggest the widespread exploitation of pine (Pinus canariensis) and fig tree (Ficus carica) and advances several analytical categories for wood artefacts and fragments. The identification and description of the different traces is followed by hypotheses as to the technical actions and the nature of the active edges of the stone tools. Thus, work-waste is identified and linked to several technical actions with the aim of reconstructing the chaînes opératoires. Moreover, further experimental research could offer a better understanding of the functions of these wooden artefacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Analysis of charcoal particles preserved in lake sediments has been frequently used to reconstruct fire, vegetation and climate history. Larger macroscopic particles (>125 μm) are attributed to local fires, whereas microscopic charcoal particles (<125 μm), observed on pollen slides, are a signal of regional fire. Taxonomic identification of the charcoal particles adds to the fire-history reconstruction by providing information about fuel composition and past fire conditions. Identification of charcoal can unravel one of the longstanding questions regarding past fire regimes, namely what was burning. This paper describes an analysis of charcoal particles preserved in the sediments of a small closed-basin lake in Yellowstone National Park. Blacktail Pond (44.954°N, 110.604°W; 2012 m elev) is located in steppe vegetation surrounded by conifer forest. Previous studies of the site have presented a multi-proxy environmental history of the last 14,650 years. The focus of this investigation was on the fire history of the early-Holocene (11,500–9900 cal yr BP). Thirty-nine sediment samples were taken at 0.5 cm intervals to examine macroscopic charcoal particles, with attention on two large charcoal peaks at 10,970 and 10,200 cal yr BP that registered large or near-site fires. Twenty-eight samples contained 243 large-enough particles (180–250 μm) to be examined with scanning electron microscopy. We were able to identify charcoal of conifers (Pinus , Picea, and Abies or Juniperus), Artemisia and unidentified deciduous shrubs, and unidentified monocotyledons. The first fire burned a mixture of fuels, whereas the second episode burned Artemisia , shrubs and herbs but no conifers. The results are consistent with previous pollen interpretations at Blacktail Pond that indicate an open mixed-conifer forest in the early Holocene prior to 10,750 cal yr BP, replaced by Pinus contorta forest on the slopes and steppe in the valley. The relative dominance of Pinus contorta -type charcoal points to the importance of fire as a catalyst for the spread of this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding social-ecological interactions is a major research priority for sustainable management. However, the scarcity in multi-decadal records represents a big gap in information that hinders the development of above research. In this paper, we propose a framework to explore the long-term dynamic mechanisms between social and ecological systems, and present a case study in the Erhai basin, southwest China. Using paleolimnological proxies to reconstruct the long-term trends of ecological changes, the social-ecological system (SES) framework links the variations of ecosystem services (ESs) and ecosystem functions with social policies. According to the results of the Erhai basin, there were increasing social demands and wanted provisioning ESs but degraded ecosystem functions over the last 70 years. Typically, the introduction of four major Chinese carps since the 1950s, the construction of hydropower stations on the Xi'er river since the 1970s, and the development of tourism since the 1990s, have been implemented to meet the social demands for wanted fish provisioning, hydroelectricity provisioning, and culture services respectively. Although there were temporary benefits in above desired services, improper strategies have gradually impaired the functions of native fish diversity, hydrodynamic forces, and nutrient cycling. Degraded ecosystem functions threatened the sustainable provision of wanted ESs, which motivated the implementation of subsequent social policies, such as the fishing ban after the 1950s, water level control after the 1970s and restoration projects after the 1990s. By rounds of renewed social drivers/policies, the social system and ecosystem in the Erhai basin are tightly connected in the form of a feedback loop in the SES, rendering dynamic changes in wanted ESs. The current social-ecological trap in the Erhai basin emphasizes the significance of SES framework and advantages of a paleolimnological approach in revealing the long-term SES dynamics, which can help tailor proper management measures in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Srednaya Akhtuba outcrop provides a detailed record of the Late Pleistocene continental and marine deposits and paleosols from MIS5 to MIS1. The MIS5 chronozone is presented by a continuous pedosedimentary sequence with three well-developed paleosols. The paper is based on the study of depositional environment and pedostratigraphy, with OSL chronological framework and precise altitude references. Field data are supported by chemical analyses, micromorphology, and clay mineralogy. A detailed study of MIS5 paleosols was first conducted for the Lower Volga area. Pedosedimentary sequence at that time developed on the river terrace in a backswamp and/or wetland influenced by extremely slow-moving stream after long seasonal floods. Thin loess layers were deposited during the brief episodes of low flood activity, while fluvial heavy loams – at the time of more intensive flooding. Mollic Gleysols and Fluvic Chernozems have been formed in the arid or semi-arid climate with seasonal freezing under productive wet meadows. Changes in the depositional environment resulted in the formation of welded paleosols, marked by textural difference, cryogenic levels, and accretionary humus horizons. Despite the complicated depositional pattern and the influence of seasonal floods, the MIS5 pedosedimentary sequence may serve as a good stratigraphic marker for the onset of Late Pleistocene allowing correlation with loess-paleosol sequences of the whole Ponto-Caspian region and linking it with the global stratigraphic schemes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reconstruction of sedimentary evolution plays a significant role in the investigation of natural groundwater contamination and stratigraphic mineral resources. In this paper, the variation in sedimentary characteristics and sedimentary evolution were studied by lithology, chronology and organic matter with the high-resolution grain size parameters of boreholes for Quaternary in northern Jianghan Basin. Following more traditional plotting of grain size parameters and summary statistics, visual categorization and analysis of grain size frequency distribution curves provided an effective measure for the identification of sedimentary facies. Combining with the Fisher model, new and highly efficient discriminant formulas were established, and tested for the validity. Additionally, the sedimentary evolution process and the provenance of different sedimentary facies were identified with the help of organic matter and δ 13C org data, provided geological information to explore the natural contamination of reducing arsenic ions and excessive nitrate in strata. The identification results suggest that fluvial and lacustrine sediments are dominant in the area, and the regional sedimentary environment is uniform and not affected by the transgression. The analysis results of grain size with organic matter parameters are consistent for discriminating sedimentary facies, which verified the rationality of grain size analysis and confirmed the use of organic matter content to be effective in identifying the process of fluvial and lacustrine sediments. Based on the chronological results of Optically Stimulated Luminescence dating and sedimentary facies determination, the sedimentary evolutionary process was deduced during the Quaternary for the study area. This research has important significance for the division and correlation of Quaternary borehole strata, underground contamination study, as well as environmental planning and protection. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ongoing changes affecting Lake Urmia (NW Iran) are revealed by the lake water level decrease (~7 m in the last 20 yr) that was attributed to natural and anthropogenic causes but the exact impact of these factors on the state of the lake is still not identified. Indeed, lack of detailed record of environmental evolution of the lake in the past limits the understanding of actual and future processes. Our project aims to obtain a high-temporal resolution record of environmental changes in the lake area for the last ~30 kyrs. Sediment cores have been obtained from the recently dried out part of the lake near Urmia City, and surface and ground waters have been measured for electric conductivity. This paper presents results of water and sediments analyses. Six 14C AMS dating on organic fractions provide a chronological framework and indicate that the record covers the last ~30 cal kyr BP. During this period, evaporitic conditions were prevailing in the lake. The electric conductivity of brines from the sediment highlights changes in the lake water salinity. The data indicate a lake-level low stand at ~30 cal kyr BP that was followed by a water level rise and establishment of lacustrine conditions for the next ~9 kyr, this phase representing the highest lake level recorded since that time to date. From the LGM, the lake experienced several fluctuations of the water level. The relatively long-term lacustrine condition established during the Early Holocene before the water level decrease between ~5.5 and 4.9 cal kyr BP. Sediments from the two dry events at ~30 cal kyr BP and at 5.5–4.9 cal kyr BP are characterized by the presence of greigite, which indicates anaerobic early diagenetic conditions in the sediment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article has been retracted: please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal (https://www.elsevier.com/about/policies/article-withdrawal). This article has been retracted at the request of the Editor-in-Chief. The author has plagiarized part of a paper that had already appeared in the International Journal of Evolutionary Biology, 2012 (2012), 574851 (https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/574851). One of the conditions of submission of a paper for publication is that authors declare explicitly that their work is original and has not appeared in a publication elsewhere. Re-use of any data should be appropriately cited. As such this article represents a severe abuse of the scientific publishing system. The scientific community takes a very strong view on this matter and apologies are offered to readers of the journal that this was not detected during the submission process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies of the East Asian Neolithic have been conducted for more than a century and many attempts have been made to interpret the functions of prehistoric pottery, particularly the earliest ceramics. The unsophisticated pottery discovered in the Weijiawopu site opens a window for the study of early ceramic function. We conducted plant residue analyses of ceramics from the Weijiawopu Neolithic site; the largest Hongshan Culture settlement in Inner Mongolia, China. The site is thought to belong to the early to middle period of the Hongshan Culture, approximately 6500-5500 cal BP. Based on evidence from starch grains, we identified four main plant resources: 1) cereal grains; 2) Dioscorea plant tubers; 3) beans; and 4) nuts. None of the individual starch grains exhibit surface damage, indicating they did not undergo extensive processing such as grinding or cooking. Hence, we conclude that the pottery samples analyzed derive from food storage containers, indicating one major function of early pottery at the site. Furthermore, wild plants are thought to have been an essential part of the Weijiawopu people's subsistence base, suggesting a mixed economic pattern based upon both domestication activities and hunting-gathering-foraging lifeways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]