Wat stro, struikhei en dorsresten verbindt

Samenvatting

What links straw, heather and threshing remains. Excavations near Norg (province of Drenthe) unearthed part of an early medieval settlement with a wide variety of features, including wells and several house plans. A number of ‘double pits’ were found, some of which contained a thin black layer of charred material at the base. Botanical analysis suggests that these pits were in fact storage pits (‘silos’). Fire was used to sanitise these pits. This study shows that for this purpose straw, heather (Calluna vulgaris), and probably threshing remains were preferred over wood, because these produce a short, hot blaze. Perhaps even more importantly, the results of this study demonstrate the utmost importance of carefully considered sampling in the field and close collaboration between all of the specialists involved in the process of forming archaeological interpretations.