Wood in Archaeology

About this book

In this book, Lee A. Newsom offers an overview of wood in archaeology – how and where it is preserved and analyzed, its relevance to paleoecological and paleoenvironmental questions, as well as its role as an important source of information in modern archaeological science and related historical disciplines. Her book addresses a range of questions about wood reliance practices, sustainability, and the overall relevance of forest ecosystems to past cultures and cultural evolution. Newsom provides a step-by-step treatment of archaeological analysis with clear explanations and examples from various corners of the world. She also shows how the study of archaeological wood is relevant to modern restoration ecology and conservation biology that tracks long-term ancient ecosystems, including questions of global change. Demonstrating the vital role of wood and timber resources to past human societies, her book will interest scholars and students of archaeology, historical ecology, paleoecology, and wood science.

Contents

1. Introduction
2. Archaeological wood
3. Woody plants
4. Wood anatomy basics
5. Working with archaeological good: wood anatomy and identification process
6. Working with archaeological wood: primary data, analysis, and interpretation

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Biography

Lee A. Newsom is a professor of anthropology at Flagler College and professor emerita at Pennsylvania State University. She is a professional archaeologist and wood anatomist, with decades of expertise working with modern and archaeological wood. Her research and teaching emphasize archaeological wood in all forms and from all types of preservation environments. Her subjects include fuelwood, wood technology, resource management, human ecology, and cultural/forest resilience.