Five different quantification methods including touch point counts，computerized imaging technique，particle counting，size classes are employed to estimate the microfossil charcoal concentration. A comparison study shows that the results obtained with different quantification methods are significantly correlated (F value>0.7，p value<0.05) and display similar trend of change. The two touch point counts methods have a particularly high correlation coefficient (F value 0.93). The 202 touch point counts method is considered to be a better method for quantifying microfossil charcoal as it has high coefficients with other methods，smaller error and costs less counting time. The peak values of microfossil charcoal for these quantification methods are shown to coincide with the period of prosperous cultures and indicate strong human activities.