engleski

Middle Ages forest and woodland cover in Drava region, archaeological perspective: Torčec, Virje and Hlebine case study

During several years of archaeological research on sites around Torčec, Virje and Hlebine in Podravina (Drava region), as part of the project TransFER Iron production along the Drava River in the Roman period and the Middle Ages: Creation and transfer of knowledge, technologies and goods (IP-06-2016-5047) funded by the Croatian Science Foundation, a large number of samples of burnt wood was collected. Anthracological analyses of samples collected in medieval houses have shown that in the everyday life a large number of wood species have been used, not only for the construction of houses, but also for the heating and possibly making of furniture or smaller items for everyday use. There is a documented change in the use of wood species from the second half of the 6th century to the beginning of the 14th century in the example of several sites in the vicinity of Torčec, which was confirmed on the sites around Virje and in Hlebine. Although oak (Quercus) prevails in all periods, its use from the 10th century is reduced, when other types of wood appear. Some medieval settlements were located near the workshops for iron smelting, an activity that over time led to over clearing of oak forests and to the transformation of forest habitats. Thus, anthropogenic influences have allowed the spread of other species such as elm (Ulmus), maple (Acer), ash (Fraxinus), alder (Populus), willow (Salix), birch (Betula) and blackthorn (Prunus spinosa).

Drava region ; Virje and Hlebine ; Middle Ages ; change in use of wood species

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