IDENTIFICATION OF CHARCOAL FROM METALLURGICAL FURNACES AT PULAC 050, SOUTHERN BOLIVIA

Charcoal samples from the base of two metallurgical furnaces at the Pulac 050 site in southern Bolivia were submitted for identification to determine if thola (Parastrephia) wood was burned in the furnace. This site appears to be a prehistoric metal working site that may date to the Middle Horizon, around 600-1000 CE. Pieces of modern reference wood were collected by a local man in Bolivia who was familiar with the vegetation. Wood was cut from a known thola shrub, and deadwood was collected from at least two shrubs known as thola. The archaeological charcoal was compared to the reference wood for identification.