Charcoal deposits in forest soils have been considered mainly in the context of wildfires. However, slash-and-burn cultivation was widespread in Northern Europe until the beginning of the 20^th century and extensive areas of former swiddens are now covered by forests. The study sites were in Karula National Park in Southern Estonia. Cadastral maps of the 19^th century were used to identify the historical land use. Macroscopic (visible) charcoal was studied in 57 soil pits, located in historical slash-and-burn sites, forests, former arable fields, recent forest fire sites, and experimental slash-and-burn fields. The locations of charcoal in the soil profile were recorded. In four sites, the charcoal samples were dated. In regions where the swiddens were common in the 19^th century, forest soil charcoal is widespread. The charcoal depth in the soil was related to agricultural land use duration and methods at different intensities. The depth of the charcoal-rich layer best reflected the historical cultivation, though patchy spatial distribution and the evident translocation of charcoal of different fire events complicate the interpretation of the charcoal pattern. At present time further studies should address soil charcoal origin and amount in the Baltic region.

Keywords: slash-and-burn cultivation, swidden, wildfire, land use history, soil charcoal, boreal forest