An Archaeobotanical and Experimental Approach to Identifying Successive Fire Events in Hearth Structures in the Sanctuary of Apollo in Hierapolis (Turkey)

We use anthracological and experimental approach for decoding fire refuses and thermal alterations of soil in an area of the Sanctuary of Apollo in Hierapolis (Turkey). Results obtained from experimental hearth structures show that the escharon is the result of a series of ground-level hearths, pit hearths and secondary ash deposits. Important ritual implications derive from the contextual identification of these fire events that shed new light on the Apollo cult in the region.