DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7509-831-3-0243

Principles and procedures of the archaeological exploration of charcoal platforms 

Jakub Novák, Pavel Šlézar 

Charcoal platforms are landforms that refer to the historical burning of charcoal in the charcoal kilns.  Nowadays, it is possible to encounter these objects especially in forested environments, where they can be damaged not only by natural influences, but also by human activity and forest management. An archaeological field prospection was carried out in three selected areas of the Drahany Highlands (Czech Republic), which aimed to identify and document the relics of production platforms in the field and subsequently carry out archaeological field excavation of six selected objects. The aim of this paper is primarily to describe the archaeological principles and procedures of the actual excavation of the charcoal platforms. Not only the main methodological steps of excavation and documentation will be presented, but also the complete legislative framework of archaeological management. Emphasis is also placed on the issue of determining the cultural and historical value of chracoal platforms, their place in the issue of monument protection and nature and landscape protection as such.

Keywords: forest, nature conservation, cultural heritage, archaeological excavation

pages: 243-247, Published: 2022, online: 2022