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Chronometric studies of charcoal production remains are largely based on 14C‐dating of associated charcoal. Owing to intrinsic limitations, however, this method provides no meaningful time resolution for post‐1650 CE features. We investigate the potential of optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating of heated sandy sediments as an alternative and complementary tool for dating charcoal kiln remains. Seven samples from five relic charcoal kilns and 11 complementary samples from the underlying sandy substrate are used. Through a range of procedural tests, we demonstrate that the single‐aliquot, regenerative‐dose procedure in combination with OSL signals from quartz allows determining equivalent doses both accurately and precisely. For four of the five investigated kilns, OSL ages are consistent with independent age information from 14C‐dating and written sources. Especially for post‐1650 CE features, the precision can be significantly better than that of 14C‐dating, and we highlight the potential of OSL dating for distinguishing, relatively, between charcoal production phases with an unprecedented time resolution. We conclude that the approach is a promising alternative to 14C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A heavy and impressive chest — part of the museum collection of the city of Antwerp — served as a strongbox to securely store the city's historical documents, including citizen privileges, public liberties, and responsibilities. A recent dendrochronological survey revealed that the tree-ring pattern of the lid dates to 1005–1294 CE, suggesting a felling date early in the 14th century. The Silver fir wood originated from the Vosges mountains in France, and hence was transported to the city of Antwerp that had already developed as an important trade centre along river Scheldt by the 13th century. The tree-ring pattern of the bottom plank could not be measured, but the presence of caulking material in some large cracks and metal clamps (sintels) revealed that this repurposed timber must have originated from a medieval ship. The archaeobotanical analysis of the mosses used as caulking material and of the pollen trapped in these mosses points toward two different locations where the ship was repaired, with at least one location outside the Low Countries. During the examination, a collection of wooden boxes stored inside the chest drew the attention. It was unclear whether the collection of boxes had any connection with the original content in the chest. Tree-ring dating on these wooden boxes made of oak and beech revealed their 14th to 16th century dating. Furthermore, inscriptions proved their relationship with historical documents. The combined dendrochronological, archaeobotanical, and historical examination demonstrates that this medieval chest was a privileged spectator of the city's turbulent history. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the medieval and post-medieval periods, charcoal production was a major industry in numerous forested regions of Northwest Europe. Utilizing LiDAR maps and field research, more and more remnants of charcoal production sites (relic charcoal kilns) are discovered. The charcoal fragments preserved in these remains are used in a wide range of scientific research, for instance, former forest composition, woodland exploitation, fuel production, and how biochar may affect soil properties. All of these fields of study necessarily require a chronological framework, which is most frequently established by 14C dating of charcoal. This method, however, is of very limited use for post-1650 CE features. For instance, the de Vries and Suess effects cause plateaus in the 14C calibration curve, implying that events from the last 350 years cannot be resolved in time. We previously reported on the potential of OSL dating of heated sediments associated with these past charcoal production, in particular for application to post-1650 CE features [1,2]. Here, we apply the same approach to kiln remains that are known to post-date 1930 CE and pre-date 1945 CE. The relict charcoal kilns were sampled in the Veluwe region, Central Netherlands. From a historical point of view, there was no real need to try and date these features. Their interbellum to end of World War II is well-established and inferred from aerial photographs, newspaper articles, and other written accounts. However, from an OSL-perspective, they are interesting. Can these features be dated as accurately? We use OSL signals from small (2 mm diameter) multiple-grain aliquots of quartz from the fine-sand fraction (125-180 µm) to document the OSL characteristics in terms of signal composition, sensitivity, dose-response, and the diagnostic tests commonly used to determine the suitability of the single-aliquot regenerative-dose (SAR) protocol for examining the distribution of equivalent dose (ED) in the samples. The outcomes are compared to known historical sources and will be presented during the meeting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paleoparasitological studies have made important contributions to our understanding of the past epidemiology of parasites, infection in past populations and lifestyle in the past. In some cases, these ancient parasites can also provide evidence for long distance travel or migration of people in the past. Three sediment samples from a 15th–16th c. CE latrine from the Spanish nation house in Bruges, Belgium were analysed for preserved helminth eggs using microscopy. Bruges was a major trading centre in medieval Europe, thus it was home to a large merchant population with extensive trading networks. Paleoparasitological analysis revealed a preserved parasite egg from Schistosoma mansoni , which causes intestinal schistosomiasis. Roundworm, whipworm, liver fluke and Taenia tapeworm eggs were also found in the latrine which is consistent with parasites previously found in the local population in the medieval period. These new data provide direct evidence for the movement of S. mansoni outside of its endemic area. Today the vast majority of S. mansoni infections occur in Sub-Saharan Africa, with additional endemic areas in the Arabian peninsula and South America. The introduction of S. mansoni into South America is proposed to have occurred relatively recently in human history, as the result of forced movement of people from Africa to the Americas with the Atlantic slave trade. Thus, this infection may have occurred in a merchant who acquired the parasite during trade voyages to Africa or in an individual living in Africa who migrated to Bruges.

The COST EU-PoTaRCh Action establishes a network focused on the past, present, and future significance, production, and use of major forest by-products in Europe and beyond. The Action centers around forest by-products-primarily potash, tar, resin, and charcoal (PoTaRCh), along with plant extracts-which have been produced and utilized for over 100,000 years due to their unique chemical, biological, and therapeutic properties. The primary goal of the Action is to demonstrate the importance of these products for the socio-economic development of European countries and beyond, as well as their impact on biodiversity and the natural environment. The Action's objectives are organized into five Working Groups (WGs), each aligned with specific areas of interest: heritage, chemical characterization, archaeology, environmental history, and future perspectives of PoTaRCh materials. A key aspect of the Action is its support for stakeholders outside the scientific community who possess knowledge of PoTaRCh products through their use in industries such as production, education, and the promotion of forests' natural and cultural heritage. In doing so, the Action brings together stakeholders with diverse activity profiles, including museums, state forests, the forestry industry, associations dedicated to preserving traditions, and the tourism sector. The EU-PoTaRCh Action adheres to the three key principles of COST's inclusiveness policy: participation of inclusiveness target countries, gender balance, and the involvement of young researchers, including in leadership positions., Competing Interests: No competing interests were disclosed., (Copyright: © 2024 Zborowska M et al.)