Environmental Archaeology. The journal of human palaeoecology

Volume 7 Published October 2002

Research Papers

Ancient Fires on Southern Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada: A Change in Causal Mechanisms at about 2,000 ybp

Kendrick J. Brown and Richard J. Hebda

Abstract

Charcoal records were examined from seven sediment cores and two stratigraphic sections on southern Vancouver Island, Canada. Charcoal influx and climate trend regressions were established using high order polynomial functions. During the late-glacial (ca. 13,000-10,000 ybp), variations in the charcoal record suggest that fires likely responded to changes in fuel availability and climate. The high incidence of early-Holocene (ca. 10,000-7,000 ybp) fires may have been partly modified by human activity, though it seems more likely that climate exerted the greatest control. A decrease in fires during the mid- and early late-Holocene from 7,000-4,000 and 4,000-2,000 ybp respectively is consistent with a regional moistening trend, implying that fires were climatically limited. In the late late-Holocene from 2,000 ybp-present, several sites record an increase in charcoal influx even though climate was continuing to moisten and cool, suggesting that non-climatic factors were responsible for the observed increase in fire activity. Estimates of native populations range up to thousands of people for southern Vancouver Island before the arrival of Europeans. These people were knowledgeable of fire, suggesting that humans were responsible for the increase in fires during the late late-Holocene cool, moist interval.

Keywords: FIRE, CHARCOAL, POLLEN, CLIMATE, NATIVE PEOPLE

The Traditional, Historical and Prehistoric Use of Ashes as an Insecticide, with an Experimental Study on the Insecticidal Efficacy of Washed Ash

Tom Hakbijl

Abstract

Ashes and other inert dusts can be used as insecticides. Insect mortality results from desiccation, caused by damage to the protective epicuticular lipid layer by dust particles. Dusts are used in many societies in the protection of stored products. A brief survey is given of the traditional and historical use of ashes in stored products protection. Archaeological records from Egypt are connected with historical records dating back to the second millennium BC. The use of sorptive dusts against fleas and lice is discussed briefly. The possible use of ashes in pest control on house floors is described for the Early Iron Age farmstead ‘House Q’, Assendelver Polders, The Netherlands. Subsistence farmers in northern Cameroon use ashes to protect stored cowpeas, but they wash the ashes with water before use. The effect of washing on the insecticidal efficacy was investigated experimentally. Five insect species were used: four species of stored product beetles (Sitophilus granarius (Linnaeus), Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Stephens), Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) and larvae of Tenebrio molitor (Linnaeus) and a blow-fly species, Calliphora vomitoria (Linnaeus). For each of these species one sample was treated with ash from burnt cow dung and another sample was treated with similar ash, but boiled in water and dried. No food was supplied. The experiments showed that washed ash worked faster than unwashed ash. On average, washing shortened the mortality period of the beetles by 30% and the knock-down period by 45%. The background of the use of ashes in sacred purification rites is considered and connected with early ectoparasite control. The application of ashes and other dusts as insecticides throughout cultures and periods is of such importance that laborious ways of processing have evolved to increase their efficacy. In archaeology, therefore, ashes must not only be regarded as remains of burnt material, but also as an important, intentionally used product that can be recovered from a variety of contexts.

Keywords: INSECTS, ARCHAEOLOGY, ASH, INERT DUST, RITUAL, STORED PRODUCTS PROTECTION, ECTOPARASITES, EXPERIMENTATION

Sources of Meat in Colonial Diets: Faunal Evidence from Two Nineteenth Century Tasmanian Whaling Stations

Susan Lawrence and Catherine Tucker

Abstract

The analysis of faunal assemblages from two nineteenth century Tasmanian whaling stations provides information about meat in colonial diets. The assemblages include a combination of native mammal, bird, and fish species and European domesticates. The presence of diverse native species indicates occasional opportunistic hunting rather than a significant incorporation of local fauna in the subsistence system. The bulk of meat consumed was beef, pork, and mutton. Element representation and documentary evidence suggests that while the pork was almost certainly salted, the beef was a combination of fresh and preserved meat, and the mutton was fresh meat prepared locally. This analysis has implications for understanding colonial herd development and provisioning systems for maritime industries.

Keywords: FAUNAL ANALYSIS, DIET, SALT MEAT, WHALING, POST-MEDIEVAL, AUSTRALIA

Assessment and Further Development of the Recording and Interpretation of Linear Enamel Hypoplasia in Archaeological Pig Populations

Keith Dobney, Anton Ervynck and Beverly La Ferla

Abstract

Through the study of five archaeological collections, it has previously been established that there is a consistent pattern in the height distribution of Linear Enamel Hypoplasia (LEH) on the molars of pigs. Consequently, the hypothesis has been published, that the non-random occurrence of LEH along the tooth’s surface is explained by a consistent, underlying chronology, i.e. that of the major physiological events of birth, weaning and surviving winter. In this paper, the interpretations of the previous study were tested by the analysis of two further assemblages, i.e. those from Middle to Late Saxon Flixborough (UK) and from 15th century Raversijde (Belgium). The question whether the distinction between two different forms of LEH can shed more light on the aetiology of the condition, is also posed. In addition, the previously published hypothesis, i.e. that the relative frequency of LEH always roughly follows the same pattern along the molar row (a necessary assumption in order to compare the frequency of LEH between sites, on the basis of an index combining the data for individual teeth), has been tested by the analysis of the same two additional assemblages. The results are promising with regard to the further analysis of LEH in archaeological material.

Keywords: SUS SCROFA, DOMESTIC PIG, LINEAR ENAMEL HYPOPLASIA, METHODOLOGY, MIDDLE AGES

British Agriculture: Texts for the Zoo-Archaeologist

Simon J. M. Davis

Abstract

This article provides a compendium of quotations from early British writers on agriculture which may be of interest to the zoo-archaeology of late Medieval and post-Medieval periods.

Keyword: ZOO-ARCHAEOLOGY

Fish Otoliths and their Relevance to Archaeology: An Analysis of Medieval, Post-Medieval, and Recent Material of Plaice, Cod and Haddock from the North Sea

Wim Van Neer, Anton Ervynck, Loes J. Bolle, Richard S. Millner and Adriaan D. Rijnsdorp

Abstract

The growth increments were investigated of late medieval, post-medieval and modern otoliths of plaice, cod and haddock from the North Sea. Thin-sectioned otoliths were used to age all the analysed individuals and to reconstruct their growth patterns. In addition, fish lengths of the archaeological specimens were calculated after the relation between otolith width and fish length was established using modern material. The age and fish length distribution, and the growth patterns obtained on the archaeological material allow inferences about fish trade, market strategies and consumption behaviour on producer sites (coastal sites) and consumer sites. Differences in growth patterns were observed between the archaeological and recent populations of the three demersal species analysed which may be related to a change in fishing pressure through time. However, diachronic changes in species distribution, temperature, food availability and selection of catch in function of market strategies may have played a role as well. Age and body size data allow some inferences about the exploited fishing grounds, but the growth patterns are of limited use in this respect.

Keywords: OTOLITHS, GROWTH, FISHERIES, ARCHAEOZOOLOGY

Derivation and Application of a Food Utility Index (FUI) for European Wild Boar (Sus scrofa L.)

Peter Rowley-Conwy, Paul Halstead and Patricia Collins

Abstract

A Food Utility Index (FUI) is presented for European wild boar (Sus scrofa L.), derived from the experimental butchery of two individuals of differing ages. The results differ from FUIs produced for other species because of the different conformation of the species. Application of the FUI to the wild boar assemblage from the Mesolithic site of Ringkloster (Denmark) allows increased understanding of field butchery, transport and processing of the animals.

Keywords: FOOD UTILITY INDEX, FUI, BOAR, SKELETAL ELEMENT FREQUENCY, BUTCHERY, RINGKLOSTER

Short Contributions

A Donkey (Equus asinus L.) Partial Skeleton from a Mid-Late Anglo-Saxon Alluvial Layer at Deans Yard Westminster, London SW1

Ian L. Baxter

Abstract

A domestic donkey (Equus asinus) partial skeleton has been recovered from a mid-late Anglo-Saxon alluvial deposit situated below the present Westminster School at Deans Yard, Westminster, London. The remains have been radiocarbon dated to the 8^th-9^th century AD and, therefore, pre-date both the abbey of Edward the Confessor and the earlier foundation of St Dunstan. The skeleton is of particular importance as it is the only well dated specimen of its species recovered thus far in England from the Anglo-Saxon and Medieval periods.

Keywords: WESTMINSTER, DONKEY, SKELETON, ANGLO-SAXON

Iron Age Cultigen? Experimental Return Rates for Fat Hen (Chenopodium album L.)

Paul Stokes and Peter Rowley-Conwy

Abstract

Archaeological finds of fat hen (Chenopodium album L.) from later prehistoric sites in Europe indicate that the plant was deliberately collected, perhaps even cultivated. Experiments are described involving the collection and processing of the plant, allowing the return rate to be calculated. The return rate is probably similar to that of cultivated cereals, which may produce more seed per unit area but require much more processing. Chenopodium album was therefore a viable potential cultigen.

Keywords: CHENOPODIUM, RETURN RATE, COLLECTION, PROCESSING, CEREALS

Wetland Microfossils in Soil: Implications for the Study of Land Use on Archaeological Landscapes

Mark Horrocks, Martin D. Jones, Scott L. Nichol and Douglas G. Sutton

Abstract

In this study we identify wetland microfossils in agricultural soils in Polynesian stone mounds at Pouerua, northern New Zealand. These include diatoms, sponge spicules, pollen, and fern and algal spores. As the presence of these microfossils is most likely anthropogenic, and as the soils are porous and free-draining, this shows that wetland microfossils can provide evidence for land use (in this case agriculture) in dryland archaeological landscapes. However, whether the microfossils in the mounds at Pouerua are related to pre- or post-European activity is uncertain because at this stage the rate of microfossil percolation in local soils is unknown.

Keywords: MICROFOSSILS, PERCOLATION, BIOTURBATION, AGRICULTURE, NEW ZEALAND