Abstract
Palaeoenvironmental analyses of micro-fossils (pollen, non-pollen palynomorphs (NPPs) and micro-charcoal) and macro-fossils (archaeological charcoal, charred cereal grain and pulses) from three sites in the vicinity of the township of Landscape, Co.Wexford, have produced data which reveal a chronology of human–environmental impacts in this area during (i) the Bronze Age, (ii) a subsequent phase of abandonment or downturn in human activity during the Iron Age/late Iron Age, (iii) renewed anthropogenic activity during the Early Christian period, and (iv) the intensification of animal husbandry and consolidation of a large settlement during the medieval/late medieval period. This paper presents palaeoenvironmental data that not only provide a landscape perspective for the archaeology but also build on the current small number of palaeoecological studies in south-east Ireland. The correlation of archaeological and environmental evidence presented also demonstrates the potential for such studies and the shortage of multi-proxy research to demonstrate the subtlety of the human–environment interface through time.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 17-34 |
Number of pages | 18 |
Journal | Journal of Irish Archaeology |
Volume | 21 |
Publication status | Published - 1 Nov 2012 |
Keywords
- Pollen
- medieval
- Iron Age
- Landscape
- Plant macrofossils
- non-pollen palynomorphs
- Archaeology
- Ireland