Recognising and reconstructing prehistoric landscapes : a new case study from eastern Cumbria
This research looks at the problems of integrating palynological and archaeological data in the context of landscape archaeology. Concentrating on the differences in spatial scale of the two data sets and using a case study from eastern Cumbria the research focuses on the recognition and reconstruction of prehistoric landscapes. The research tests the distribution patterns evident in the existing archaeological record to assess whether the spatial and chronological distributions are a reflection of human activity areas or the result of differential preservation, destruction and recovery. The research also assesses the level of intra-regional variation in vegetation and its relationship to the archaeological record. The methodological approach adopted for this research ensures that both data sets relate to the same geographical space. Four pollen sites, dominated by a local and extra-local pollen catchment, are sampled and intensive archaeological investigation carried out within the catchment area. It is shown that late mesolithic-early neolithic communities were utilising most sections of the landscape but that activities varied between one micro-region and another. Diversity in human/environment interaction
Skinner, Caroline
Recognising and reconstructing prehistoric landscapes : a new case study from eastern Cumbria. This research looks at the problems of integrating palynological and archaeological data in the context of landscape archaeology. Concentrating on the differences in spatial scale of the two data sets and using a case study from eastern Cumbria the research focuses on the recognition and reconstruction of prehistoric landscapes. The research tests the distribution patterns evident in the existing archaeological record to assess whether the spatial and chronological distributions are a reflection of human activity areas or the result of differential preservation, destruction and recovery. The research also assesses the level of intra-regional variation in vegetation and its relationship to the archaeological record. The methodological approach adopted for this research ensures that both data sets relate to the same geographical space. Four pollen sites, dominated by a local and extra-local pollen catchment, are sampled and intensive archaeological investigation carried out within the catchment area. It is shown that late mesolithic-early neolithic communities were utilising most sections of the landscape but that activities varied between one micro-region and another. Diversity in human/environment interaction
recognising reconstruct prehistoric_landscape new case_study eastern cumbria look problem integrate palynological archaeological_data context landscape_archaeology concentrating difference spatial_scale data_set use case_study eastern cumbria focus recognition reconstruction prehistoric_landscape test distribution_pattern evident exist archaeological_record ass_whether spatial chronological distribution reflection human_activity area differential preservation destruction recovery also_assess level intra_regional variation vegetation relationship archaeological_record methodological adopt data_set relate geographical space pollen site dominate local extra local pollen catchment sample intensive archaeological investigation_carry within catchment_area show late_mesolithic early_neolithic community utilise section landscape activity vary micro region another diversity human_environment interaction