Archaeological Wood and Woodworking

This Element provides an accessible introduction to the many scientific and anthropological approaches to the study of archaeological wood.

Caroline Arbuckle Macleod (Author)

9781009054584, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 10 April 2025

96 pages
22.8 x 15.1 x 0.6 cm, 0.16 kg

Wood is, and always has been, one of the most common and versatile materials for creating structures and art. It is therefore also a ubiquitous element of the archaeological record. This discussion of the study of archaeological wood introduces a number of approaches to the analysis of these organic remains, including a brief overview of wood science, factors that impact the survival of wood materials, wood anatomy, and dendrochronology. These sections are intended to help archaeologists and other interested non-specialists prepare to encounter archaeological woods, and to understand the potential scientific data that these remains could contribute to our understanding of the human past. This is followed by additional approaches from the social sciences. The study of woodworking techniques and toolmarks, combined with ethnoarchaeology and experimental archaeology, can push wood analyses further. A combination of these approaches can help to create a more holistic view of humankind's relationship to wood.

1. Introduction
2. A Brief introduction to the science of wood
3. The sources, survival, and sample recovery of archaeological wood
4. The approach to taxonomic assessment of archaeological wood and charcoal
5. Dendrochronology and tree-ring research in archaeology
6. Assessing ancient woodworking
7. Case studies: analyzing wooden coffins in museums and the field
8. Final thoughts
References.

Subject Areas: Archaeology [HD]