The word anthracology is used to define a methodology used in the collection, naturalistic recognition and preservation of charcoal and wood rescued from archaeological environments or natural deposits. These recovered remains are of great cultural and biological value, so they have a double attraction both for natural history, by recalling the trajectory of species and plant biodiversity, and for human history, since they allow a greater understanding of its relationship with the environment. The remains of coal and of wood that are found, can contain a lot of useful information, however, great care must be taken because the analysis methodology can be a bit destructive, thus agreeing on its study among specialists in order to avoid losing the information.
Among the various information that can be obtained through these are: Taxonomic data, these are obtained through a study of the vegetal tissue of coal or wood, in which the genus is identified, and in some cases, the species of woody plants. With this analysis, both the charcoal and the wood do not receive any type of chemical treatment for their botanical recognition.
Ecological Data, this information is obtained by collecting the remains of coal or wood with an archaeological and natural degree that provides a list of woody plants, which usually have an ecological link, to reconstruct the environmental character of an area at a given time. Data related to botany, with the remains of coal and wood, the paleo-vegetation of the area can be identified and the historical chronology of the plant species can be followed.
Ethnographic Data, this information is obtained when wood and charcoal remains are collected from handicrafts, construction wood, archaeological armor, musical instruments, etc.
Chronological Data, the pieces of wood or coal can be registered by radiocarbon to know which is the genus or species that is registered, allowing to follow its history in the determined area, yes, as long as this is done after its botanical identification, because the registration method can cause damage to the information obtained.
