Abstract:

Charcoal analysis, taphonomy and dendrology on threemodern pastoral structures fromPleta de l’Estall Serrer site (Madriu valley, Andorra) situated at 1980 meters a.s.l., shows us an almost absolute presence of mountain pine and the presence of bush taxa like Ericaceae. These are typical species in a subalpine forest. The almost absolute presence of this pine, has allowed us to observe different alterations of the internal structure of the wood, mainly alterations related to microorganisms. We have been able to distinguish several types of this alterations caused by xylophague insects and hyphae of fungi. In addition, we have been able to distinguish also some individuals of underground thermites, alived and carbonized. The alives ones attack the archaeological wood during the postdepositional processes and the carbonized ones were surely the cause of the deterioration of the pastoral structures and their posterior destruction by fire.