INTERIM REPORT ON THE MICROSCOPIC ANALYSIS OF BURIED SEDIMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH PALAEOLITHIC AND MESOLITHIC ARTEFACTS AT UXBRIDGE, MIDDLESEX.
Author(s): P E J Wiltshire
Analysis of a thin, black, humic silt overlying an artefact-bearing clay has indicated that the silt was deposited, under conditions of high water table, in late Boreal times. It has been tentatively dated to between 8500 bp (the base) and 8000 bp (the top) on the basis of the pollen evidence, and on comparison with previous palynological studies carried out on similar deposits. The pollen diagram shows that, in spite of relatively crude sampling, good resolution was obtained in the analysis. However, interpretation would benefit greatly from further work with finer sampling. Considerable changes were seen in the vegetation history of the site and these appear to be correlated with very large inputs of charcoal to the sediment. It would appear that Mesolithic peoples occupied the area throughout the period under scrutiny and that they were practising some form of environmental management with fire. The humic silt appears to be homologous with so-called 'peats' of Boreal age recorded from other sites in the Kennet, Lea and Colne Valleys which overlie artefacts of Maglemosian cultures.
- Report Number:
- 18/1989
- Series:
- AML Reports (New Series)
- Pages:
- 22
- Keywords:
- Soil/Sediment
