Fire-cracked rock
Encyclopedia
In archaeology
, fire-cracked rock, or FCR, is rock of any type that has been altered and split by deliberate heating. It is a feature of many archaeological site
s, particularly in the south-central United States
. In many cases, fire-cracked rock results when stones were used to line hearth
s or were heated to provide a longer-lasting heat-source (similar to a modern hot water bottle).
In other cases, fire-cracked rock results from stone being used to heat or boil water; the stones were heated and dropped directly into water held in containers made of skin or pottery
. This use has led fire-cracked rocks to be called 'pot-boilers' in Britain.
Central Texas
in the United States
in particular is well-known archaeologically for its burned rock midden
s, which are piles of fire-cracked rock—often exceeding several tons of material. These represent the remains of earth ovens used in cooking sotol
bulbs and other plants during prehistoric times. In Britain these features are referred to as 'burnt mounds'.
An FCR (Fire-Cracked Rock) Bibliography has been compiled by William Doleman published on the Tennessee Archeology Net Bibliography Page
Archaeology
Archaeology, or archeology , is the study of human society, primarily through the recovery and analysis of the material culture and environmental data that they have left behind, which includes artifacts, architecture, biofacts and cultural landscapes...
, fire-cracked rock, or FCR, is rock of any type that has been altered and split by deliberate heating. It is a feature of many archaeological site
Archaeological site
An archaeological site is a place in which evidence of past activity is preserved , and which has been, or may be, investigated using the discipline of archaeology and represents a part of the archaeological record.Beyond this, the definition and geographical extent of a 'site' can vary widely,...
s, particularly in the south-central United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. In many cases, fire-cracked rock results when stones were used to line hearth
Hearth
In common historic and modern usage, a hearth is a brick- or stone-lined fireplace or oven often used for cooking and/or heating. For centuries, the hearth was considered an integral part of a home, often its central or most important feature...
s or were heated to provide a longer-lasting heat-source (similar to a modern hot water bottle).
In other cases, fire-cracked rock results from stone being used to heat or boil water; the stones were heated and dropped directly into water held in containers made of skin or pottery
Pottery
Pottery is the material from which the potteryware is made, of which major types include earthenware, stoneware and porcelain. The place where such wares are made is also called a pottery . Pottery also refers to the art or craft of the potter or the manufacture of pottery...
. This use has led fire-cracked rocks to be called 'pot-boilers' in Britain.
Central Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in particular is well-known archaeologically for its burned rock midden
Midden
A midden, is an old dump for domestic waste which may consist of animal bone, human excrement, botanical material, vermin, shells, sherds, lithics , and other artifacts and ecofacts associated with past human occupation...
s, which are piles of fire-cracked rock—often exceeding several tons of material. These represent the remains of earth ovens used in cooking sotol
Sotol
Sotol is a distilled spirit made from the Dasylirion wheeleri , a plant that grows in the wilds of Northern Mexico, New Mexico, West Texas, and the Texas Hill Country . It is known as the state drink of Chihuahua, Durango and Coahuila. There are few commercial examples available...
bulbs and other plants during prehistoric times. In Britain these features are referred to as 'burnt mounds'.
An FCR (Fire-Cracked Rock) Bibliography has been compiled by William Doleman published on the Tennessee Archeology Net Bibliography Page