How Charcoal was Made in the Middle Ages [Medieval Professions: Charcoal Burner]?

Charcoal was made by people who worked really hard to turn wood into something special for cooking and heating.

In the Middle Ages, charcoal burners used a clever trick: they put wood in a big hole in the ground called a beehive kiln, which looked like a big honeycomb. Then they covered it with dirt and let it cook slowly, almost like baking cookies in an oven!

1. The wood was packed tightly into the beehive kiln.
2. They sealed it up with soil, so no air could get in.
3. After a few days, the heat from the burning wood turned the wood into charcoal, which is like super-smoky, black sugar that burns really hot and lasts longer than regular firewood.

It was kind of like making candy, you start with something sweet (wood), and after some cooking, you get something even better (charcoal)!

The charcoal burners were like the chefs of the fire world. They made sure everyone had enough fuel to keep warm during cold winter nights.