Neolithic land-use dynamics in northwest Ireland: multi-proxy evidence from Lough Arrow, County Sligo

Stolze, Susann; Monecke, Thomas

doi:10.1007/s00334-020-00792-0

Cited by 3 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 53 publications

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“…A similar pattern of re-afforestation is implied during the Middle Neolithic in other parts of Ireland (e.g. Chique et al, 2017; Ghilardi and O’Connell, 2013b; Molloy et al, 2014; Stolze and Monecke, 2021). It has been suggested the Middle Neolithic saw a reduction in human activity overall (Whitehouse et al, 2014), rather than a shift in location, as reflected by the archaeological record: the number of confirmed Middle Neolithic archaeological sites in the region is substantially lower than in the preceding Early Neolithic, also in keeping with the archaeological evidence from across Ireland.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 55%

“…This characteristic pattern can also be traced in the archaeology in the southeast (Eogan et al, 2015). Comparison with data from recently published Irish pollen records indicates a broadly coherent pattern during the Early to Middle Bronze Age of consistent and increasing woodland clearance and agriculture, followed by fluctuating human activity during the Late Bronze Age (Chique et al, 2017; Spencer et al, 2020; Stolze and Monecke, 2021). Plunkett (2009) has previously drawn attention to a similar pattern, suggesting a link between increased archaeological visibility during the Late Bronze Age and palynological evidence for intensified pastoral activity, and indicating that the end of this period may have been characterised by consolidation of settlement and agriculture.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 70%

“…BC , a period of woodland regeneration of estimated 660–1120 years , followed by a renewal of arable and pastoral activity. The reappearance of agricultural activity during the Late Neolithic is indicated in other pollen records (Molloy and O’Connell, 2004; Molloy et al, 2014; Stolze and Monecke, 2021) whilst the archaeological record also suggests a limited Late Neolithic presence in south-east Ireland (Monteith, 2011; Tierney, 2005; Wren, 2006b).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 87%

“…Recent detailed palaeoenvironmental studies have focussed on the west and north of the island (e.g. Chique et al, 2017; Spencer et al, 2020; Stolze and Monecke, 2021) but there has been relatively little research in the southeast (see Eogan et al, 2015). In this paper, we describe and discuss the results of a multi-proxy palaeoenvironmental analysis of a 7.75 m core from Lough Cullin, Co. Kilkenny, southeast Ireland, which is supported by a high-resolution radiocarbon chronology.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A multi-proxy Holocene palaeoenvironmental record of climate change and prehistoric human activity from Lough Cullin, southeast Ireland

et al. 2022

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A multiproxy (pollen, microcharcoal, loss-on-ignition, magnetic susceptibility and geochemistry) sequence from Lough Cullin, southeast Ireland, supported by a high-resolution radiocarbon chronology, modelled using Bayesian approaches, provides a record of environmental change for much of the Holocene. Following the establishment of mixed deciduous woodland, climatic deterioration was likely responsible for pronounced vegetation change and erosion, 7615–6500 cal. BC to 6245–5575 cal. BC, evidence for the ‘8.2 Kyr’ BP climate event. The so-called ‘elm decline’ is dated to 4220–3980 cal. BC and whilst there are possible indications of an anthropogenic cause, clear evidence of woodland clearance with cereal pollen is recorded at 3900–3700 cal. BC, 3790–3580 cal. BC and 3760–3650 cal. BC, during a period of clearance and farming of 320–450 years duration. A reduction in farming/settlement and woodland regeneration during the Middle Neolithic parallels the archaeological record, with low levels of activity during the Late Neolithic/Chalcolithic after 2960–2525 cal. BC, prior to increases during the Bronze Age then woodland clearance and agriculture between 1500–1410 and 1275–1000 cal. BC, corresponding with the archaeological evidence. A subsequent ‘step-wise’ reduction in human activity follows, from the latter date to 815–685 cal. BC, and a brief but pronounced cessation at 690–535 cal. BC. Renewed woodland clearance and agriculture commenced until 415–250 cal. BC. From the latter date until cal. AD 390–540, the Late Iron Age/Early Medieval period, a phase of woodland recovery is attested, followed by renewed landscape disturbance and arable agriculture in particular, continuing to the close of the record at cal. AD 780–1035.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 55%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 70%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 87%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A multi-proxy Holocene palaeoenvironmental record of climate change and prehistoric human activity from Lough Cullin, southeast Ireland

et al. 2022

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“…This is interpreted as evidence of pastoral farming in the locality. Palynological evidence from other Irish investigations (Ghilardi and O'Connell 2013;Chique et al 2017;Spencer et al 2019;Stolze and Monecke 2020) also provide evidence of land-use intensification and pastoral farming during that period.…”

Section: Bronze Age Farming and Mining Impactsmentioning

confidence: 73%

Palynological investigation of a later Bronze Age copper mine at Derrycarhoon in south-west Ireland

Kearney¹,

O’Brien²

2021

Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy

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This paper presents the results of a recent palynological analysis at a prehistoric mine in the Mizen Peninsula of West Cork. Archaeological survey and excavation confirm Derrycarhoon is the first copper mine in Ireland dated to the later Bronze Age, c.1400-1000 BC. The production there represents the end of a mining tradition in the south-west region that began a millennium or so earlier at Ross Island, Co. Kerry. The palynological study at Derrycarhoon examines the contemporary environment of the early mine, to understand its effect on local vegetation during the later second millennium BC. This environmental impact was reduced by the small scale of ore extraction over several centuries, and by a mining technology that did not significantly impact local woodland at a location where contamination from surface ore-processing was both short-lived and localised. The results add to information on the variability of environmental impacts caused by mining and metal production in prehistoric Europe. Finally, this study contributes to a wider understanding of vegetation history and anthropogenic influences during the Holocene in the West Cork region.Public concern with mining today often centres on the negative consequences for the natural environment, as well as health and quality of life implications for local communities. This includes the physical alteration of landscape, atmospheric and groundwater pollution, and resulting effects on vegetation and the food chain. There were also various environmental impacts around the extraction of metal in prehistory, the scale of which largely depended on the intensity and duration of mining at different locations. This ranged from short-lived operations, often seasonal, producing small amounts of metal for local needs, to more sustained activity undertaken by established mining communities that supplied significant amounts of metal over a wide area through organised trade.The environmental impact of most prehistoric copper mines was confined to the extraction site and its immediate surroundings. There are examples where the scale of operations had greater consequences for the local or wider

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Post-glacial vegetation and landscape change in upland Ireland with particular reference to Mám Éan, Connemara

O’Connell

2021

Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology

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Neolithic land-use dynamics in northwest Ireland: multi-proxy evidence from Lough Arrow, County Sligo

Cited by 3 publications

References 53 publications

A multi-proxy Holocene palaeoenvironmental record of climate change and prehistoric human activity from Lough Cullin, southeast Ireland

A multi-proxy Holocene palaeoenvironmental record of climate change and prehistoric human activity from Lough Cullin, southeast Ireland

Palynological investigation of a later Bronze Age copper mine at Derrycarhoon in south-west Ireland

Post-glacial vegetation and landscape change in upland Ireland with particular reference to Mám Éan, Connemara

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