Pollen Analysis of Blanket Peat Deposits at Roman Lode, Burcombe, Exmoor, North Devon
Author(s): Ralph Fyfe
In August 2004 field work in association with the Exmoor Iron (ExFe) project recovered a short sequence of blanket peat 100 m SE of the excavation of the large iron extraction site at Roman Lode on Exmoor. The blanket peat was sampled with the intention of using pollen analysis to generate an environmental context for the locality prior to, during and subsequent to iron extraction and undertaking geochemical analysis on the peat to identify any periods of enhanced deposition of smelting pollutants and mining dust. This report focuses on pollen analysis from the sequence, which has been radiocarbon dated. Peat accumulation began at 350-115 cal BC, with peat growth continuing until the present day. Three main pollen zones have been delimited within the section, with the basal zone characterised by heather and grass-heath in the late Iron Age, with limited woodland cover (mostly hazel scrub) in the local area. The second zone represents a local landscape dominated by more species-rich grassland, with cotton grass rather than heathers dominating local vegetation. The uppermost zone represents a more mosaic landscape, with patches of heather, cotton grass and some species-rich grassland. The analysis suggests continuous, steady peat growth at the site.
- Report Number:
- 24/2009
- Series:
- Research Department Reports
- Pages:
- 9
- Keywords:
- Metal Working-Fe Pollen
