Characterization and Palaeoecological Significance of Archaeological Charcoal Assemblages during Late and Post-Glacial Phases in Southern France

• Published in: Quaternary research Vol. 50; no. 1; pp. 56 - 68
• Main Authors: Heinz, Christine, Thiébault, Stéphanie
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, USA Cambridge University Press 01.07.1998; Elsevier Inc; Elsevier
• Subjects: Bgi / Prodig; charcoal analysis; correspondence factor analysis; Environmental Sciences; Holocene; human impact; Late Glacial; Mediterranean region; Original Articles; palaeoecology; Palaeogeography; Physical geography; Quaternary; France; Southern France; correspondence factor analysis; charcoal analysis; human impact; Mediterranean region; Holocene; palaeoecology; Late Glacial; Human impact; Mediterranean area; C 14 dating; Lateglacial; Palaeo-ecology; Quaternary; Taxonomy; Vegetation; Multivariate analysis; Charcoal
• ISSN: 0033-5894; 1096-0287
• DOI: 10.1006/qres.1998.1978

Archaeological sites at Abeurador and Font-Juvénal have produced extensive charcoal-rich horizons. The results of the charcoal analysis, based on the identification of woody species from anatomical features, contribute to the elaboration of plain phases within the development of vegetation in southern France. They are presented here in a new diagram and are interpreted as four major vegetation phases from 11,00014C yr B.P. to the recent past. In order to interpret the palaeoecological significance of the charcoal assemblages we have used multivariate analysis. The data base consists of 42 taxa and 48 archaeological levels. The division into four vegetation phases based on analytical interpretation is complemented by the more synthetic interpretation based on correspondence factor analysis (CFA). The results reveal the patterns of the vegetation history over the last 11 millennia, each being characterized by a key plant species.