Preliminary Results

Robinson's Moss, Peak District UK

Karen Halsall

Sections analysed to date from samples at depth of 0-30cm; 190-219cm; 285-385 cm:-

The study set out to determine if a local fire regime for the early Holocene could be elucidated from charcoal fragment concentration analysis that would reflect the theory of local anthropogenic activity involving post glacial forest clearance followed by woodland or open habitat management by early settlers and possibly the use of small domestic fires alongside a natural fire regime, as proposed by Bennett, Simonson & Peglar (1990) in conjunction with climatic considerations. Utilising the pollen evidence for Tallis and Switsur (1990) and the charcoal fragment analysis, Sections of a detailed record of fire has been detected that would seem to fit with this theory.

High levels of charcoal fragment concentration from at least 9100 - 8000 cal BP were detected. High Pinus pollen concentrations were detected by Tallis and Switsur (1990) at this time lagging slightly behind the charcoal peak.
Cyclical levels of charcoal and reasonably consistent levels of woodland taxa pollen such as Quercus, Ulnus, Alnus, Betula and Corylus were recorded from 8000 to at least 6500 cal BP (Tallis & Switsur, 1990). This is thought to represent a Mesolithic woodland management regime.

High charcoal levels that occurs a second time ~ 6500 cal BP and the increase in Calluna at the same time could indicate an increase in acidic conditions that could have led to the onset of peat initiation by paludification enhanced by clearfelling.

Reduced charcoal levels were recorded from 4542 to at least 3932 cal BP which could indicate a movement away from a hunter gatherer style of harvesting to the early farming of the late Neolithic and early Bronze Age. (Pollen analysis still to be done).

Recent high levels of charcoal are recorded that would fit with the fire regime over the last 150 yrs for management by Grouse and possibly a signal from industrialisation although the age depth curve using radiocarbon dates from Tallis & Switsur (1990) was not accurate at this depth. (Radiocarbon dating still to be done).

I have also been comparing using Scion Image and counting by abundance. The results will eventually be displayed using area.

 

 

 Sample that processed well using scion Image.

 

Sample that did not process well using Scion Image due to the oxidised stems distorting the results