Hiilituhojakauma

Hiilituhojakauma is a Finnish term that translates to "carbon damage distribution" or "charcoal damage distribution" in English. It refers to the spatial pattern of charcoal fragments and charcoal-rich soil layers found within archaeological or paleoecological contexts. This distribution provides insights into past fire events and their impact on landscapes and human activities.

The presence and distribution of charcoal are significant indicators of wildfires or controlled burning practices. Archaeologists and paleoecologists analyze hiilituhojakauma to reconstruct fire regimes, understand vegetation changes, and assess the intensity and extent of past burning. For instance, a concentrated patch of charcoal might suggest a specific hearth or a localized fire event, while a widespread, dispersed distribution could indicate a larger wildfire that affected a broader area.

Studying hiilituhojakauma can also help in dating archaeological sites, as charcoal can be radiocarbon dated. The analysis of charcoal size, type, and its association with other archaeological materials can further inform interpretations about the activities that led to the charcoal deposition, such as land clearing for agriculture, waste disposal, or ceremonial fires. Understanding the patterns of charcoal accumulation is therefore crucial for reconstructing past environmental conditions and human-environment interactions.