Investigating combustion structures through experimental approaches at Iron Age Calafell archaeological site (Tarragona, Spain)

27th Annual Meeting of the European Association of ArchaeologistThe goal of this paper is to present the first phase of experimentation on Iron Age combustion structures in the framework of the TRANSCOMB (Transdisciplinary and experimental study of combustion structures in the western Mediterranean during Protohistory) project. Experimental work is carried out in the "Iberian Citadel of Calafell" (Calafell, Tarragona, Spain), a reconstructed Iron Age site, open to the public since 1995, and also a field of experimental archaeology. The experiment is performed on present-day replicas of archaeological hearths and ovens, located both indoors and outdoors. The structures correspond to a varied typology, based on archaeological documentation from the excavation of Iron Age sites in the western Mediterranean (flat, semi-excavated and elevated hearths, hearths with and without a preparation layer, ovens). Experimental works include the use of various fuel-types (wood, grasses and animal dung), according to the available archaeobotanical records. Variables such as increased heating and time are measured, in order to determine whether variations occur, depending on the fuels used, the type of structure or its location. Liquid boiling and meat cooking tests are also being performed. In this paper, the first results obtained will be discussed. In the medium to long term, these will contribute to a better understanding of the functioning of the combustion structures in the analysed area and period. Information on daily activities such as food or natural resource management is expected to increase, which will ultimately help to improve the knowledge of the household organisation