Someone on this list (sorry, I don't recall who it was) once asked me how archaeologists find charcoal kilns in the pines. I don't think I ever responded, but for no apparent reason I was thinking about charcoal kilns on the way to work today. Often, finding them is incidental; we were excavating or testing for a different reason and uncover a thick, dark layer of charcoal. In order to find the limits of the size of the kiln (which vary greatly from about 10 feet in diameter to almost 30 feet in diameter), we use a small auger like this one :
http://www.forestry-suppliers.com/product_pages/View_Catalog_Page.asp?mi=7080
By auguring or "split spooning" at regular intervals radiating out from the original charcoal kiln "hit," we can establish the limits or the size of the below-ground remnants of the kiln site. In the same manner, if we were specifically looking for them, we could systematicall test an area at close intervals.
Sometimes, particularly around tree roots, the root-mat and organic top layer of soil erode away, exposing a charcoal layer that can be seen casually walking by. If any of you have seen such an exposed layer of charcoal while hiking through the pines, it would be great to report the find to one of the designated government authorities such as the Pinelands Commission or the New Jersey HPO, or even to an archaelogist, so that the kiln could be properly recorded and mapped.
And incidentally, since there is often concern on this site about theft and vandalism, let me assure any would-be pot hunters that there is NOTHING of economic value in a charcoal kiln. Just charcoal. Lots of charcoal.
http://www.forestry-suppliers.com/product_pages/View_Catalog_Page.asp?mi=7080
By auguring or "split spooning" at regular intervals radiating out from the original charcoal kiln "hit," we can establish the limits or the size of the below-ground remnants of the kiln site. In the same manner, if we were specifically looking for them, we could systematicall test an area at close intervals.
Sometimes, particularly around tree roots, the root-mat and organic top layer of soil erode away, exposing a charcoal layer that can be seen casually walking by. If any of you have seen such an exposed layer of charcoal while hiking through the pines, it would be great to report the find to one of the designated government authorities such as the Pinelands Commission or the New Jersey HPO, or even to an archaelogist, so that the kiln could be properly recorded and mapped.
And incidentally, since there is often concern on this site about theft and vandalism, let me assure any would-be pot hunters that there is NOTHING of economic value in a charcoal kiln. Just charcoal. Lots of charcoal.
