Pollen analysis

Morphological trends in the fossil pollen of Decodon and the paleobiogeographic history of the genus

by Fridgeir Grimsson

2012
Fridgeir Grimsson, David K. Ferguson, Reinhard Zetter
International Journal of Plant Sciences

Palaeoenvironmental information from the palynology of an 800 year old bat guano deposit from Măgurici Cave, NW Transylvania (Romania)

by Vanessa Johnston

Anca Geantă, Ioan Tanţău, Tudor Tămaş and Vanessa E. Johnston. (2012) Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology, 174, 57-66.

Pollen analysis of a 270 cm deep guano deposit from Măgurici Cave (NW Romania) was performed to understand the... more Pollen analysis of a 270 cm deep guano deposit from Măgurici Cave (NW Romania) was performed to understand the vegetation dynamics and the influence of deforestation and farming activities that unfolded in the Transylvania area over the past 800 years. The study discusses the value of cave guano as a source of palaeoclimate data and tests if guano sequences record the same signals as other proxies (tree rings, speleothems, lakes or peat). The pollen record extracted from Măgurici Cave guano is consistent with the known vegetation history during the Late Subatlantic period, exhibiting two climate events: the Medieval Climate Anomaly and the Little Ice Age. Human influence on vegetation is also revealed, especially in modern times, by the decrease of arboreal pollen, the increase of herbaceous taxa related to grazing and the occurrences of cereals. Cave bat guano is emphasized as a source of valuable palaeoclimate data, especially in areas where no conventional archives are available.

Amorosi A., Ricci Lucchi M., Rossi V., Sarti G. (2009). Climatic Signature Of Millenial-Scale Parasequences From Lateglacial-Holocene Transgressive Deposits Of Arno Valley Fill (Tuscany, Italy). PALAEOGEOGRAPHY PALAEOCLIMATOLOGY PALAEOECOLOGY, vol. 273, p. 142-152, ISSN: 0031-0182

by Sarti Giovanni

Despite recent report of short-term cyclicity from Lateglacial–Holocene deposits of several coastal plainsmore Despite recent report of short-term cyclicity from Lateglacial–Holocene deposits of several coastal plains
worldwide, no precise documentation of the key factors controlling cyclic facies architecture has been made
available by previous work.
Detailed sedimentological analysis of a continuously-cored borehole, around the town of Pisa, in western
Tuscany, provides evidence for the occurrence of three high-frequency, transgressive–regressive cycles
within the post-Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) transgressive succession (13–8 cal. kyr BP) of the Arno incisedvalley
fill. These cycles, which are bounded by lateral equivalents of marine flooding surfaces, are 8–12 m
thick and correspond to small-scale parasequences. Micropalaeontological (foraminifers and ostracods)
investigations based upon differentiation of eight microfossil associations, allow to refine the stratigraphic
framework, emphasizing subtle changes in palaeosalinity across parasequence boundaries.
Diagnostic changes in vegetationpatterns, driven by opposite climate conditions, enable precise documentation of
parasequence development as a function of climate change. Pollen spectra invariably show expansions of broadleaved
forests atparasequence boundaries, suggesting that rapid shifts towarmer climate conditions accompanied
episodes of rapid sea-level rise. In contrast, stillstand phases sawthe developmentof cold-temperate communities
(upper parts of parasequences), suggesting transition to temporary colder climate conditions.
Reconstruction of parasequence architecture on the basis of adjacent stratigraphic data, combined with
palaeoclimate characterization and radiometric dating enable identification, within the transgressive Arno valley
body, of threemajor “regressive” pulsations that are tentatively correlatedwith themost important cooling events
of the post-LGM period. The sedimentary response to these short-term phases of climatic cooling is clearly
documented by episodes of widespread coastal-plain and bay-head delta progradation, leading to partial estuary
infilling and temporary establishment of continental environments in the proximal and central sectors of the
valley.

La excavación arqueológica de los Grandes Almacenes El Pilar (Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, España): un estudio arqueobotánico de silos de almacenaje medievales

by Andrés Teira Brión

Teira Brión, A.; Currás Domínguez, A.; Portillo, M.; Albert, R.M.; Pérez Mato, M. (2010) La excavación arqueológica de los Grandes Almacenes El Pilar (Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, España): Un estudio arqueobotánico de silos de almacenaje medievales. Estudos de Quaternário, 6: 75-90.

[The archaeological excavation of Grandes Almacenes El Pilar (Santiago de Compostela, Spain): an archaeobotanical... more [The archaeological excavation of Grandes Almacenes El Pilar (Santiago de Compostela, Spain): an archaeobotanical study of medieval storage pits.]
The use of archaeobotanical studies in medieval archaeological sites from Galicia, is not usual, except for occasional charcoal analyses. Pollen and phytolith identification in relation to storage pits is also rare, not only for this period but also for archaeological research in NW Iberia in general. The identification of several pits in the archaeological site of Grandes Almacenes El Pilar (Santiago de Compostela, Galicia) offered the opportunity to apply these types of analyses and in this way shed more light on the use of these structures at the end of the Early Medieval period in Santiago, a time when the city was developing and expanding. This study provides new information on the use of these features as storage pits for wheat, and shows the potential of pollen and phytolith analyses in complementing typological studies and aiding in interpretation.

Correlating Archaeological and Palaeoenvironmental Records using a Bayesian Approach: A Case Study from Sutton Common, South Yorkshire, England. Journal of Archaeological Science, 36, 1477-1487.

by Ben Gearey

co-authored with P. Marshall & D. Hamilton

This paper presents a case study aimed at correlating archaeological 'events' (obtained from radiocarbon measurements... more This paper presents a case study aimed at correlating archaeological 'events' (obtained from radiocarbon measurements and dendrochronology) from the site of Sutton Common with a radiocarbon-dated pollen sequence obtained from a palaeochannel deposit adjacent to the area of the main archaeological activity. It demonstrates the use of a Bayesian approach to quantifying whether the timing of palynological 'events' interpreted as reflecting anthropogenic impacts are likely to be associated with archaeological 'events'. The results Suggest that Bronze Age activity in the form of a mortuary enclosure and associated cremation burials are probably not contemporary with the palynological evidence for disturbance to the oak-hazel woodland in this period. Subsequent evidence for local woodland clearance and agriculture is estimated to precede the construction of the large Iron Age enclosure in 372 BC, with increases in 'anthropogenic indicators' following this 'event'. The construction of the site does not appear to have had a pronounced impact on the local vegetation, with hazel the only woody taxon to show clear reductions. Despite the use of a substantial number of oak timbers in the enclosure palisade, percentages of oak remain remarkably stable. Later farming activity oil the site probably post-dates the end of activity in the enclosures. The value of the methodology is discussed in relation to quantifiable and robust correlations of archaeological and palaeoenvironmental narratives of landscape and human activity.

The Classic Surtarbrandur Floras

by Fridgeir Grimsson

2011
Thomas Denk, Fridgeir Grimsson, Reinhard Zetter, Leifur A Simonarson
Springer
Chapter 5

Pollen, fruits, and leaves of Tetracentron (Trochodendraceae) from the Cainozoic of Iceland and western North America and their palaeobiogeographic implications

by Fridgeir Grimsson

2008
Fridgeir Grimsson, Thomas Denk, Reinhard Zetter
Grana

Combined LM and SEM study of the Middle Miocene (Sarmatian) palynoflora from the Lavanttal Basin: Part I. Bryophyta, Lycopodiophyta, Pteridophyta, Ginkgophyta, and Gnetophyta

by Fridgeir Grimsson

2011
Fridgeir Grimsson, Reinhard Zetter, Christian Baal
Grana

Archäobotanische Analysen an Bodenproben der Grabung "Beim Märzenbad 9"im Lechviertel Augsburgs [Archaeobotanical analysis of the town excavation "Am Mârzenbad 9" in the Lech town quarter of Augsburg (Bavaria, Germany]

by Julian Wiethold

In : L. Bakker (Hrsg.), Augsburger Beiträge zur Archäologie, Sammelband 2000. Augsburger Beiträge zur Archäologie 3 (Augsburg 2001) p. 239-250.

Archaeobotanical results from the excavation of high medieval settlement structures from Augsburg (Bavaria, Germany)... more Archaeobotanical results from the excavation of high medieval settlement structures from Augsburg (Bavaria, Germany) are presented. The excavation of 1996 took place in the so-called "Lechviertel", a town quarter caracterized during medieval times by watermills and related craft activities. The layers dated to the 12th/13th c. revealed mainly waterlogged and well preserved plant remains. Resultats of environmental archaeology include also pollen and parasite analysis.

Studien zur jüngeren postglazialen Vegetations- und Siedlungsgeschichte im östlichen Schleswig-Holstein (mit einem Beitrag von H. Erlenkeuser)

by Julian Wiethold

Universitätsforschungen zur prähistorischen Archäologie 45. Bonn: Verlag R. Habelt, 1998, 365 p. (= PhD thesis, Institut für Ur- und Frühgeschichte der Christian-Albrechts-Universität Kiel 1997)

Una aproximación transdisciplinar a la historia del paisaje mediterráneo: la evolución de los sistemas de terrazas con muros de piedra seca en la sierra de Marina (Badalona, Llano de Barcelona)

by Santiago Riera

RIERA, S., PALET, J.M. (2008)
R. Garrabou, J.M. Naredo (eds.), El paisaje en perspectiva histórica. Formación y transformación del paisaje en el mundo mediterráneo. Monografía de Historia rural, 6: 47-90.

Djamali, M., F. Biglari, K. Abdi, V. Andrieu-Ponel, J-L. de Beaulieu, M. Mashkour and Ph. Ponel (2011) Pollen analysis of coprolites from a late Pleistocene-Holocene cave deposit (Wezmeh Cave, west Iran): insights into the late Pleistocene and late Holocene vegetation and flora of the central Zagros Mountains, Journal of Archaeological Sceince, doi:10.1016/j.jas.2011.08.001

by Fereidoun Biglari

Coprolite pollen analysis is increasingly used by palynologists to reconstruct the palaeovegetation especially in the... more Coprolite pollen analysis is increasingly used by palynologists to reconstruct the palaeovegetation especially in the arid to semi-arid regions where lakes and peat bogs are scarce. This study is the first palynological analysis of coprolites in Iran to examine their potential in palaeoenvironmental reconstructions. Four pollen-rich coprolite samples were studied from the Wezmeh Cave in western Iran with a recently discovered late Quaternary (70 ka to sub-recent) faunal assemblage dominated by carnivore remains. Pollen analysis of coprolites shows that a mountain steppe dominated the glacial landscapes of the area. Only one sub-recent sample indicates the presence of dispersed tree stands. One sample was rich in Tulipa pollen suggesting that tulips were relatively abundant during the glacial periods. Cousinia (Asteraceae) pollen was found in all samples with considerable values in one sample indicating its importance in the glacial landscapes of the Zagros Mountains. This study revealed that coprolite pollen analysis can provide an invaluable source of information to understand the floristic composition of palaeolandscapes of the Irano-Turanian region.