The use of wood in funerary pyres: random gathering or special selection of species? Case study of three necropolises from Poland

In this study, the analysis of charcoal remains from three prehistoric necropolises is presented. This botanical material formed part of funerary pyres and thus represents purposely gathered wood used for cremation ceremonies. Therefore, its anthracological analysis may indicate a special selection of wood, which may be a source of palaeoethnographic information about past rituals. However, a question remains as to whether or not the charcoal assemblages that originated from graves may also provide some palaeoecological information. In order to test both hypotheses, analysis of three Polish necropolises dating to the Bronze and the Iron Age were performed. In all charcoal assemblages, a taxonomic diversity among charcoals was detected, which may suggest that the wood was collected based on availability. This may also be inferred after observing that the presence of the most ubiquitous and frequently found taxa may be strongly correlated with present-day vegetation growing in the vicinity of the necropolises.

► The charcoal from Polish necropolises dated to the Bronze and Iron Age was analyzed.
► The botanical remains from funerary pyres represent wood used for cremation.
► Anthracological data offer palaeoethnographic information about past rituals.
► Local vegetation growing in the proximity of the cemetery is characterized.