Physics
Scientific paper
Sep 1993
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1993e%26psl.119..387m&link_type=abstract
Earth and Planetary Science Letters (ISSN 0012-821X), vol. 119, no. 3, p. 387-394
Physics
3
Ashes, Ferromagnetism, Fires, Paleomagnetism, Planetary Evolution, Plants (Botany), Wood, Iron Oxides, Magnetic Measurement, Magnetite, Soils
Scientific paper
Magnetic studies were conducted on a variety of plant ash and ash material from fire pits to investigate the possible contribution of ash to the magnetic signature of hearths. The measurements included magnetic susceptibility, remanence acquisition to saturation (SIRM), alternating field demagnetization of SIRM and remanent coercivity (B(sub rc)). We conclude from these studies that wood ash produces fine-grained magnetic iron oxides. These oxides are probably magnetite that is concentrated enough to add to the magnetic signature of hearths and fire pits. At one site (Ellicottville, New York), the ash layer exhibits a magnetic susceptibility that is 22 times greater than a control soil sample from the site. We attribute this large enhancement to repeated burns at the site which continued to add ferromagnetic material to the fire pit. The source of the magnetic material is probably phytoferritin from plants. The variation in the intensity of magnetic anomalies over ancient hearths and fire pits may in part be caused by the magnetic contribution from ash.
Kean W. F.
McClean Richard G.
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