Wood use and forest management at the Late Bronze Age copper mining site of Prigglitz-Gasteil in the Eastern Alps – A combined anthracological, archaeological, and palynological approach

•The study combines archaeological, anthracological, and palynological data sources.•Bronze Age mining impacted on the local forest, leading to secondary succession in small areas.•Gathering of firewood followed the principle of least effort.•We found evidence for a selective use of wood, but no hints of depletion of the forest.•Conifer needles indicate additional (as yet unknown) usage patterns for fir and spruce.