Exploring ancient charcoal archives in Central Africa

Conference (2012, July)

Fossil pollen and charcoal fragments are preserved in lake sediments, in forest soils and in ancient human settlements, were they can be accompanied by artifacts. As such, vegetation history is remarkably ... [more ▼]

Fossil pollen and charcoal fragments are preserved in lake sediments, in forest soils and in ancient human settlements, were they can be accompanied by artifacts. As such, vegetation history is remarkably well archived and sometimes closely linked to cultural history. Direct evidence for Central African vegetation history has been mainly derived from pollen analysis, while the charcoal archive remains hardly explored. However, analysis of charred wood remains has proven worthwhile for palaeovegetation reconstructions in temperate and arid regions. One of the main challenges for charcoal identification in tropical regions is species diversity. Therefore we developed and present a transparent charcoal identification protocol within an umbrella database of species names and metadata, compiled from the on-line database of wood-anatomical descriptions (InsideWood), the database of the world’s largest reference collection of Central African wood specimens (RMCA, Tervuren, Belgium) and inventory and indicator species lists. We applied the protocol on radiocarbon dated charcoal collections sampled in the Mayumbe forest (Bas-Congo, DRCongo), in human settlements along the Aruwimi and Lomami rivers (Province Orientale, DRCongo), along the Sangha river (Sangha department, Republic of the Congo) and in Pallisco logging concessions (East Province of Cameroon). First charcoal identification results are promising and sometimes seem to be taxonomically more precise than pollen identification. However, next to opportunities, we also present some pitfalls when exploring ancient charcoal archives. [less ▲]

Forest anomalies and human occupation in Central Africa during the last two millennia

Conference (2012, June 23)

Central African rainforests are no longer considered as pristine, but as the outcome of a long history of changes due mainly to climatic variation. For the later part of the Holocene it has been ... [more ▼]

Central African rainforests are no longer considered as pristine, but as the outcome of a long history of changes due mainly to climatic variation. For the later part of the Holocene it has been hypothesised that climate changes together with human activities triggered modifications in terms of distribution and botanical composition. While developing a research project to explore the mechanisms of forest change, new research avenues for the archaeology of rainforests became apparent. In this paper, we outline the results of this approach, implemented on a forest concession (Cameroon). We introduce our methodology based on the analysis of botanical inventories (focused on large trees of human linked species and light demanding species), coupled to systematic core boring and test pits. A sampling strategy for the collection of charcoal and its identification is developed and archaeological remains found in association are analyzed at the Royal Museum for Central Africa. [less ▲]

Recent disturbances in the Congo Basin : an anthracological contribution to vegetation reconstructions

Poster (2012, March 01)

In contrast to the well-known vegetation history of the northern hemisphere, few is known about past vegetation change in Central Africa. However, recent palaeoecological and biogeographical studies ... [more ▼]

In contrast to the well-known vegetation history of the northern hemisphere, few is known about past vegetation change in Central Africa. However, recent palaeoecological and biogeographical studies suggest that early human disturbances had a substantial influence on Central Africa vegetation patterns, particularly allowing the expansion of light-demanding species. This interesting hypothesis is the basis of one of the main research questions of the ERA-net BIODIVERSA CoForChange project: what was and is the relationship between (increasing) human activity and vegetation change? A recently developed protocol for the identification of ancient Central African charcoal fragments opened the door for vegetation reconstructions with a high spatial and taxonomical resolution. Therefore, we chose to study macro-charcoals from pedoanthracological profiles situated in N Congo and SE Camero0n. In total, 48 taxa were found in nine radiocarbon dated profiles. At the moment, three taxa have been identified down to species level. First, we found numerous fragments of Gilbertiodendron dewevrei under a current monodominant forest of G. dewevrei (40 cm depth, 1421-1327 cal. BP). This seems to confirm the presumption that monodominant forests of G. dewevrei, shade-bearer species, are relatively stable. Second, we evidenced the lack of Triplochiton scleroxylon charcoals under a T. scleroxylon stand, which could confirm the hypothesis of the recent nature of those stands. Finally, our results suggest that taxonomic diversity of charcoal findings in open canopy Marantaceae forests is greater than in dense forests. Pterocarpus soyauxii and Millettia drastica have been found under an open Marantaceae forest at 40 cm depth (1184-1055 cal. BP). The abundance of the light-demanding species P. soyauxii appears to be decreasing over time (levels 20 to 40 cm depth) to the benefit of giant herbs. Anthracology in Central Africa is on the rise and the first results of the CoForChange project are promising. More identifications will follow, resulting in a better understanding of the evolution of Central African forests. [less ▲]