Evaluating the intensity of fire at the Acheulian site of Gesher Benot Ya'aqov—Spatial and thermoluminescence analyses

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0188091
• Publication Date: 2017-11-16T20:56:35Z
• Authors: Nira Alperson-Afil; Daniel Richter; Naama Goren-Inbar
• Keywords: Hearth; Intensity

This manuscript presents an attempt to evaluate the intensity of fire through spatial patterning and thermoluminescence methodology. Previous studies Layer II-6 Level 2 at Acheulian site Gesher Benot Ya'aqov suggested that hominins differentiated their activities across space, including multiple around a hearth reconstructed on basis distribution burned flint artifacts. A transect ~4 m was extended from center its periphery in order examine fire. Burned unburned microartifacts were sampled along this transect. The results earlier current (TL) analysis demonstrate general agreement with macroscopic determination burning, indicating possibility misinterpretation based observations is negligible. TL signal close hearth's shows unambiguous signs strong heating, whereas increasing distance can be interpreted as result decreasing temperatures and/or shorter durations exposure addition number flints showing damage. Our study identify some variation intensity, which allows more precise classification respect heating history.