A step forward in tropical anthracology: understanding woodland vegetation and wood uses in ancient Sri Lanka based on charcoal records from Mantai, Kirinda and Kantharodai

The aim of this study is to present the anthracological results from three archaeological sites located in North, North West and South East Sri Lanka. based on observation analysis 1689 charcoal fragments using for support reference collection Indian wood at Institute Archaeology ( UCL), Inside Wood (2004-onwards) several anatomy atlases. Mantai (200 BCE-850 CE), an urban site, has yielded 25 taxa with significant presence cf. Cocos nucifera among other taxa. Kantharodai (400-170- BCE), 19 arid zones (Fabaceae, Rubiaceae), mangroves (Rhizophoraceae) dune (cf. nucifera). Kirinda (500–900 a fishing settlement, 24 including Fabaceae (Dalbergia, Acacia) Rubiaceae, belonging dry deciduous forest open savannas. This collective data set allows identification discernible patterns related use ecological interfaces between plains, used actively managed by humans, possibility identify if changed increase maritime trade and/or changes agriculture over time. provides evidence differences vegetation as well fuel specific uses each site examined. It also sheds new light tropical anthracology regarding quantification accuracy identification.