ASPECTS OF THE CHEMISTRY AND MICROMORPHOLOGY OF PLANT ASHES

Archaeological sites all over the world often contain layers of ash from plants, including wood ash. It can be a major component of cave sediments, as a result of their regular occupation and reduced leaching characteristics. At open-air sites, it is found in pit fills and in layers or lenses where the surrounding sediments are neutral to alkaline. Previous morphological studies have not fully explained the origin of some ash components, and the bulk characteristics have only been detailed in a few cases. This paper aims to offer a complete and consistent picture of the properties of ash, including optical, morphological and chemical characteristics.