Dendroarchaeological Approach to Supply of Timber and Woodland Management to the Ancient City of Augustonemetum (Clermont-Ferrand, Puy-de-Dome)

Studies of waterlogged wood carried out on twenty ancient archaeological sites located in Clermont-Ferrand (Puy-de-Dome), have allowed assumption on wood supply: species selection according to timber use (construction, manufacture of objects) and the selection of trees according to age or diameter. These analyses aim to highlight the silvicultural practices in Antiquity in relation with the city Augustonemetum and its timber needs. The crossing of three disciplines (xylology, dendrology and dendrochronology) is performed to identify the wood species from archaeological excavations, dating them when the ring series is enough and to evaluate the morphology and age of the tree when it was felled down. These approaches aim to assess the changes in wood supply and outline their use in order to highlight forestry practices in this antique context.