The research potential of wood and other plant remains in burial contexts with dry soil conditions: Case studies from Bulgaria

Abstract

Burial context in regions with predominantly dry soil conditions are often challenging for standard archaeobotanical studies. Although plant remains can be preserved in structures with dry, anoxic conditions (desiccation) or when metal objects and their corrosion products (mineralisation) are present, they were often overlooked and their study neglected.

This paper considers case studies form 30 ancient necropoles from the territory of modern-day Bulgaria to illustrate the possibilities and limitations inherent in the sampling and analysis of plant remains that have been preserved by a mechanism other than charring. Among the plant remains wood was the most common finding in burial structures used as construction material, for coffins, or belonging to different grave offerings placed in the graves – mostly parts of armament or other wooden objects. In some cases, fruits (Amygdalus communis, Corylus avellana), flowers like Rosa sp. and plant fibres/textiles were attested. With this overview, we aim to increase awareness of this often-neglected source of abundant information, and strongly suggest more careful sampling and documentation of such organic matter. The paper thus provides examples of strategies for obtaining rich information regarding the role of plants and their products in ancient burial practices, as well as the depositional conditions related to these finds.