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INTRODUCTION

Charcoal from two stone-lined earth ovens at site CA-LAN-857 in southern California
were submitted for identification. The earth ovens are part of a series of cooking features
recently exposed at the site, believed to be associated with the Tataviam cultural group.
Identification of charcoal will provide information concerning woods burned as fuel in these
features.

METHODS

The charcoal samples were weighed, then passed through a graduated screen (US
Standard Sieve) with a 2-mm opening. The charcoal remaining in the 2-mm sieve was
separated from the other sample debris and weighed. A representative sample of these
charcoal pieces was broken to expose a fresh cross section and examined under a binocular
microscope at a magnification of 70x. The weights of each charcoal type within the
representative sample also were recorded.

Macrofloral remains, including charcoal, were identified using manuals (Core, et al.
1976; Martin and Barkley 1961; Panshin and Zeeuw 1980; Petrides and Petrides 1992) and by
comparison with modern and archaeological references. Because charcoal and possibly other
botanic remains were to be submitted for radiocarbon dating, clean laboratory conditions were
used during screening and identification to avoid contamination. All instruments were washed
between samples, and samples were protected from contact with modern charcoal.

ETHNOBOTANIC REVIEW

Ethnological (historic) plant uses are important in interpreting certain charred macrofloral
remains as possible or even probable subsistence items in prehistoric times. The ethnobotanic
literature provides evidence for the exploitation of numerous plants in historic times, both by
broad categories and by specific example. Evidence for exploitation from numerous sources
can suggest a widespread utilization and strengthens the possibility that the same or similar
resources were used in prehistoric times. Ethnographic sources outside the study area have
been consulted to permit a more exhaustive review of potential uses for each plant.
Ethnographic sources do document that with some plants, the historic use was developed and
carried from the past. A plant with medicinal qualities very likely was discovered in prehistoric
times and the usage persisted into historic times. There is, however, likely to have been a loss
of knowledge concerning the utilization of plant resources as cultures moved from subsistence
to agricultural economies and/or were introduced to European foods during the historic period.
The ethnobotanic literature serves only as a guide indicating that the potential for utilization
existed in prehistoric times--not as conclusive evidence that the resources were used. Pollen
and macrofloral remains, when compared with the material culture (artifacts and features)
recovered by the archaeologists, can become indicators of use. Plants represented by charred
macrofloral remains are discussed in the following paragraphs in order to provide an
ethnobotanic background for discussing the remains.