KINDEROFFERS IN DE TOPHET (CARTHAGO); HOUTSKOOLONDERZOEK

Samenvatting

During Punic times (700- 146 BC) children were sacrificed at Carthage. The charcoal content of 88 urns has been examined. Some 25 wood species could be recognized, among which Olea, the olive, was predomi­nant. In the course of time a change in the choice of wood species took place. At first species of the natural vegetation were used, such as Pistacia lentiscus. In the 6th/5th century BC Olea was the fuel most used. Besides Olea, Quercus was important in the 4th century BC. Finds of Olea, Vitis and several Prunus types reflect the farm­ing activity around Carthage. Remains of Quercus, Ulmus and Cedrus point to in­creased building activity.