A high resolution palynological study of the Holocene vegetational development of central Holderness, eastern Yorkshire, with particular emphasis on the detection of prehistoric human activity
Compared to upland areas and Scotland, the Holocene vegetational history of lowland England is poorly known. This is particularly the case for the region of Holdemess, eastern Yorkshire, where only a low number of poor temporal resolution pollen diagrams have been published, none of which include analysis of microscopic charcoal content. The records are also largely undated and as a result reliable correlation between sites is not possible, and the timings of the key vegetation changes recorded in the data remain unknown. In this study, high resolution pollen and charcoal records were produced from four small (24 ha) infilled basins located within central Holderness. Complementary techniques of percentage loss-on-ignition and pollen preservation analysis were also employed, and a comprehensive radiocarbon-dating programme was undertaken to provide a secure chronological framework. The palaeoecological records produced provide a high temporal resolution reconstruction of the Holocene development of central Holderness, particularly during the Early-Mid Holocene, and allow consideration of the changing roles that ecological interactions, climate, and human influence have played in determining the Holocene vegetational
Tweddle, John C.
Prehistory; Pollen; Spores; Charcoal; Cereals
A high resolution palynological study of the Holocene vegetational development of central Holderness, eastern Yorkshire, with particular emphasis on the detection of prehistoric human activity. Compared to upland areas and Scotland, the Holocene vegetational history of lowland England is poorly known. This is particularly the case for the region of Holdemess, eastern Yorkshire, where only a low number of poor temporal resolution pollen diagrams have been published, none of which include analysis of microscopic charcoal content. The records are also largely undated and as a result reliable correlation between sites is not possible, and the timings of the key vegetation changes recorded in the data remain unknown. In this study, high resolution pollen and charcoal records were produced from four small (24 ha) infilled basins located within central Holderness. Complementary techniques of percentage loss-on-ignition and pollen preservation analysis were also employed, and a comprehensive radiocarbon-dating programme was undertaken to provide a secure chronological framework. The palaeoecological records produced provide a high temporal resolution reconstruction of the Holocene development of central Holderness, particularly during the Early-Mid Holocene, and allow consideration of the changing roles that ecological interactions, climate, and human influence have played in determining the Holocene vegetational
high_resolution palynological study holocene vegetational development central eastern yorkshire particular_emphasis detection prehistoric_human activity compared upland area scotland holocene vegetational history lowland england poorly know particularly case region eastern yorkshire low number poor temporal resolution pollen diagram publish none include analysis microscopic charcoal content record also largely undated reliable correlation site possible timing key vegetation_change record data remain unknown study high_resolution pollen charcoal record produce small basin locate_within central complementary technique percentage loss ignition pollen preservation analysis also_employ comprehensive radiocarbon_dating programme undertaken provide secure chronological_framework palaeoecological records produce provide high temporal resolution reconstruction holocene development central particularly early_mid holocene allow consideration change_role ecological interaction climate human influence play determine holocene vegetational