PAKENHAM, SUFFOLK (PKM 027): ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC STUDIES.
Author(s): P Murphy, P E J Wiltshire
This report presents results from the study of carbonised plant remains from excavated features of late neolithic, Iron Age and Roman date and from sedimentary stratigraphy, pollen and macrofossil analysis at the adjacent infilled lake basin of Micklemere. A long-term reconstruction of environmental and economic change is presented, together with a more detailed discussion of Roman crop production and processing. A late neolithic feature produced some carbonised Corylus nutshells. The local landscape from the Iron Age onwards was predominantly open grassland, and the sediments and pollen indicate two main phases of arable farming: in the Roman period and again from AD660, with a hiatus between. The Roman carbonised plant remains relate mainly to large-scale disposal by burning of cereal chaff (mostly Triticum spelta), weed seeds and straw. High frequencies of grassland taxa in some samples may indicate burning of waste animal fodder. Other crops included flax, pulses, fruits and nuts. Reports on marine mollusc shells and avian eggshell are also included.
- Report Number:
- 99/1989
- Series:
- AML Reports (New Series)
- Pages:
- 49
- Keywords:
- Environmental Studies
