Prehispanic fuel management in the Canary Islands: A new experimental dataset for interpreting Pinus canariensis micromorphological degradation patterns on archeological charcoal

At Prehispanic sites of the Canary Islands (ca. 2nd–15th centuries CE), fuel gathering strategies have traditionally been interpreted as result a taxonomic selection based on physical properties each woody species, while little attention has paid to other criteria such soundness wood used, parameter which could significantly weighed indigenous firewood selection, hearth functions and supply areas. To explore this possibility, we created new experimental dataset microscopic decay features in charcoal Pinus canariensis, one most valued fuels. Following previous protocol, our results confirm correlation between macroscopic state wood, with gradual trend from healthy rotten according varying proportions low high micromorphological alteration within assemblage. It now becomes possible assess ante combustion archeological samples marker strategies. New were also obtained regarding vitrification, although origin phenomenon remains unclear. High vitrified fragments found batch composed resinous heartwood (pitch wood) highly degraded sapwood raise hypothesis relationship vitrification resin contents.