Reconstruction of ancient conflagration events via integration of forensic, stratigraphic and geoarchaeological science

Burnt structures are well known archaeologically throughout the Near East. This presentation will propose an integrated interpretational framework for reconstructing fires in mud-brick structures using stratigraphy, architecture and location of artefacts, spatial reconstruction of fire temperatures using micro-geoarchaeology, insights from experimental archaeology, and concepts from fire investigation. The utility of this integrative framework will be demonstrated in a high-resolution reconstruction of a destructive fire event that occurred in the Late Bronze Age North-East Temple at Tel Lachish, ca. 1210–1126 BCE. The area of ignition, the fire propagation path, and the cause of the fire would be reconstructed and the implications of the results for the history of the site will be discussed.