MICROSCOPIC ANALYSIS OF SEDIMENTS TAKEN FROM THE EDGE OF MICKLEMERE, PAKENHAM, SUFFOLK.
Author(s): P E J Wiltshire
In 1983, a monolith of sediments was obtained from a section exposed by the excavation of a trench at the edge of Micklemere. The sediments were analysed for macrofossil content and loss on ignition by Peter Murphy and use has been made of his data in this report. The results from the microscopical analysis of pollen, fungal remains and charcoal are presented here. The pollen was exceedingly sparse and in poor state of preservation. Pollen analysis has shown that throughout the time period represented by the sediments analysed, the area was influenced by human activity. Two main agricultural phases have been recognised, the later one being Saxon (the early part of the phase being dated to about AD 660) and the earlier one probably Roman. Arable and pastoral farming seem to have been carried out in both agricultural periods. Pollen and microscopic charcoal evidence suggest that the water table was high before the Roman settlement, and that it might have dropped a little subsequently. The Saxon settlement seems to have coincided with a very marked rise in lake level and this may have been due to minor soil disturbance; but it was certainly not because of massive deforestation in the immediate area since the landscape seems to have been very open before the Roman settlement.
- Report Number:
- 209/1988
- Series:
- AML Reports (New Series)
- Pages:
- 5
- Keywords:
- Plant Remains Soil/Sediment
