High resolution palynological, multiple profile and radiocarbon dating studies of early human impacts and environmental change in the Inner Hebrides, Scotland
The Inner Hebrides comprise a diverse range of environments and vegetation, andarchaeological evidence suggests that people were interacting with these from early Holocene times. There are relatively few detailed palynological investigations from the islands for the early Holocene and not all the published data include quantification of microscopic charcoal which may assist in the interpretation of human impacts. Radiocarbon dates are also lacking from a number of the published profiles so that inter-site comparisons and comparisons with the archaeological record are difficult. Some pollen profiles from the Inner Hebrides contain possible indications of human impact in the first half of the Holocene (Lowe and Walker, 1986a; Andrews et al., 1987; Herons and Edwards, 1990; Edwards and Berridge, 1994). These profiles lack detail however, and it was clear that a multiple profile approach would provide a clearer picture of vegetation change and allow more confident interpretations of the pollen data. The coring of several sites would assist in defining the spatial differences in early Holocene vegetation within the islands and differences in the scale of human impacts which may reflect different types of interference.
Sugden, Heather
High resolution palynological, multiple profile and radiocarbon dating studies of early human impacts and environmental change in the Inner Hebrides, Scotland. The Inner Hebrides comprise a diverse range of environments and vegetation, andarchaeological evidence suggests that people were interacting with these from early Holocene times. There are relatively few detailed palynological investigations from the islands for the early Holocene and not all the published data include quantification of microscopic charcoal which may assist in the interpretation of human impacts. Radiocarbon dates are also lacking from a number of the published profiles so that inter-site comparisons and comparisons with the archaeological record are difficult. Some pollen profiles from the Inner Hebrides contain possible indications of human impact in the first half of the Holocene (Lowe and Walker, 1986a; Andrews et al., 1987; Herons and Edwards, 1990; Edwards and Berridge, 1994). These profiles lack detail however, and it was clear that a multiple profile approach would provide a clearer picture of vegetation change and allow more confident interpretations of the pollen data. The coring of several sites would assist in defining the spatial differences in early Holocene vegetation within the islands and differences in the scale of human impacts which may reflect different types of interference.
high_resolution palynological multiple profile radiocarbon_date study early human_impact environmental_change inner_hebrides scotland inner_hebrides comprise diverse_range environment vegetation evidence_suggest people_interact time relatively detailed palynological investigation island publish_data include quantification microscopic charcoal may assist interpretation human_impact radiocarbon_date also lack number publish profile inter_site comparison comparison archaeological_record difficult pollen profile inner_hebrides contain possible indication human_impact edwards edwards profile lack detail however clear multiple profile would_provide clear_picture vegetation_change allow confident interpretation pollen data core several site would assist define spatial difference vegetation within island difference scale human_impact may reflect different_type interference