Unpacking the burnt building: 3D spatial analysis challenges single-event interpretations of prehistoric house conflagration

Journal of Archaeological Science, vol. 193, pp. 106660

Abstract

House destruction is a common phenomenon in prehistoric societies. Were these acts of conspicuous consumption, ways to perpetuate the legacy of the inhabitants, or meant to end expressions of wealth? Most likely, the reasons for these practices varied across cultures and periods. One common characteristic in the archaeological interpretation of these practices is that usually a single destruction event is envisaged as a sudden and final end of an otherwise stable use-life of the structure. We present the stratigraphic analysis of a burnt structure at the Chalcolithic site of Chlorakas-Palloures, Cyprus, which contests that notion. Similar to other structures from this culture, it was caught in a substantial conflagration, when it was filled with stacks of ceramic and stone artefacts as well as other (combustible) materials. To understand fully the processes involved in this fire event, we recorded each individual sherd separately in 3D, and merged these in a 3D GIS system for spatial analysis. This enabled the visualization of the refitting links between sherds, and to contextualize these stratigraphically. This provided micro histories of the destruction of single vessels, which show that the sequence of destruction comprised at least two separate artefact depositions, rather than a single event. Our innovative approach is efficient, highly detailed, and allows for visualization of refits between sherds, which aids in the identification of pre- and post-depositional fragmentation and displacement of artefacts in complex three-dimensional artefact clusters. For the case of Chalcolithic Cyprus the results unequivocally problematize earlier interpretations of house destruction, and call for a thorough reassessment of the broader prehistoric burnt building phenomenon.

Authors 3

1. Victor Klinkenberg corresponding Aachen Faculty of Archaeology, Leiden University

   Leiden University · University of Cyprus

   Affiliation as printed

   Archaeological Research Unit, University of Cyprus, 2 Nikokreontos and Themistokli Dervi street, Nicosia, 1066, Cyprus

   Faculty of Archaeology, Leiden University, Einsteinweg, 22333 CC, Leiden, the Netherlands

2. Marina Gavryushkina Aachen Faculty of Archaeology, Leiden University

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Faculty of Archaeology, Leiden University, Einsteinweg, 22333 CC, Leiden, the Netherlands

3. Maria Hadjigavriel Aachen Faculty of Archaeology, Leiden University

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Faculty of Archaeology, Leiden University, Einsteinweg, 22333 CC, Leiden, the Netherlands