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Decayed wood occurs relatively frequently in charcoal assemblages from Iron Age sites in northwest Iberia, and the presence of fungal hyphae and wood-borer galleries has been identified in charred wood remains from different kinds of archaeological contexts. This study analysed the evidence of decayed wood, as a result of fungal and insect attack, including the affected taxa and other dendrological attributes, their association with firewood remains or evidence of wooden crafts and other contextual evidence, from nine Iron Age sites. The data available to date indicate that Corylus avellana, Quercus sp. deciduous, Alnus sp. and Fabaceae have been affected the most by the action of fungus and wood-borers, and evidence of xylophagous activity is correlated with the occurrence of fire events and/or the presence of worked wood. This paper highlights the potential of combining taxonomical identification with taphonomical and dendrological attributes to understand the processes of wood degradation in archaeological contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research presents for the first time a comprehensive study of charcoal directly related to the multiple burials interred in Tomb 2 of El Caño (Coclé province, Panama). This funerary context, which dates to between AD 880 to AD 1020, contained three different burial levels accompanied by substantial ceramic offerings and rich mortuary assemblages. The challenge of taxonomically identifying charcoal from tropical areas was addressed by combining standard procedures in tandem with chemical analysis (Py-GC-MS) of archaeological charcoal and fresh wood from the reference collection. Nine charcoal types were identified at the genus level: Avicennia spp., Rhizophora spp., Handranthus/Tabebuia, cf. Copaifera spp., Inga spp., Guettarda spp., Roupala spp., Allophylus spp. and cf. Ryania spp. Charcoal of cf. Copaifera spp., Roupala spp., Guettarda spp., and probably Handroanthus/Tabebuia might be related to their use as firewood for producing smoke. The presence of Copaifera and Roupala indicates the selection of odorous woods for burning in the sahumerios. Diverse habitats, such as coastal mangroves, riverine and dry forests, were exploited to obtain wood, highlighting the complex management of wild plant resources developed by the hierarchical societies of the Isthmo-Colombian area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Waterlogged woodcrafts and other plant remains were recovered at 65 Arcebispo Malvar Street (Pontevedra, Spain) from contexts from the 13th to 19th centuries AD, although most of the artefacts were concentrated in accumulations of organic remains dating to the 15th century AD. The site is located close to the Pontevedra's harbour and wooden dock. Plant-based crafts and other organic remains were classified into five groups: timbers, containers, personal items, fishing implements, and miscellaneous artefacts. The great majority of items are related to timber building or even shipbuilding, including planks, beams, posts, stakes, pegs, trenails and wedges. Other objects, such as a plate/lid, a basket, a cup, stave-built containers, and combs, provide information about day-to-day life, trade, fishing activities, etc. The timber assemblage offers a unique opportunity to expand our knowledge about wood-working techniques and the selection of raw materials from the Middle Ages onwards, complementing the information already known from written sources. In addition, the identification of an oar made of Fagus sylvatica verifies the written evidence of their importation from other areas of the Iberian Peninsula, while the identification of a cup made from a coconut shell suggests the arrival of objects from tropical areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]