The use of timber and charcoal in mining centers of medieval Serbia: a case study from Brskovo and Rudnik

Vranić, Mirko and Fostikov, Aleksandra (2025) The use of timber and charcoal in mining centers of medieval Serbia: a case study from Brskovo and Rudnik. In: 31st EAA Annual Meeting (Belgrade Virtual, 2025) - Abstract Book. European Association of Archaeologists, p. 765. ISBN 978-80-88441-10-6

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Abstract

Previous research on medieval mining in the central Balkans, within the borders of medieval Serbia, provided a small amount of physical evidence on the use of timber and charcoal. These fragments were obtained through modern geological research, which cut old mining works with preserved wooden construction, as well as archaeo-logical excavations of shafts and furnaces for ore smelting and charcoal production. Additionally, charred remains were discovered inside the mining and trading settlements, representing remnants of the wooden building structure. For this study, anthracological analysis was conducted on several samples from the most extensively researched centers, Brskovo (northeastern Montenegro) and Rudnik (central Serbia), where intensive medieval mining activities took place from the mid-13th to the mid-15th century. By determining the tree species or genus and comparing it with present-day forest vegetation, as well as using comprehensive data concerning other types of evidence, we aim to reconstruct the appearance, species, and segments of timbers used for these activities, thereby contributing to a deeper understanding of their role and purpose in medieval Serbia. Furthermore, the previous knowledge regarding charcoal production in the mining and metallurgical industries of medieval Serbia will be highlighted, along with directions for future research

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