Search

This study reports results relating to the identification of wood samples from pile dwellings discovered during the archaeological excavation of the Middle-Final Late Bronze Age pile dwelling of San Savino (Lake Trasimeno, PG, Italy). Anatomical descriptions and identification of 16 wooden piles were performed by microscopic evaluation. In this study, the speciesQuercus petraea(Matt.) Liebl.,Quercus roburL. andPrunus spinosaL. were identified. For two samples, no precise identification of the species was carried out; however, these samples showed significant similarities toUlmusspp. In addition, among the charcoal fragments, some have been identified asFagus sylvaticaL. The detectedtaxareflect a species assemblage matching with a temperate deciduous mixed forest and, with reference to the current climate, it might be referred to conditions ranging from the mesotemperate to the Meso-Submediterranean bioclimatic belts. New information about the interactions between man and vegetation was provided. In fact, the wood species used in the construction of the Bronze Age pile-dwelling settlement in San Savino reflect a sensible choice; people living in that time period had solid knowledge and experience in the use of wood. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]