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The archaeology of Rombalds Moor, West Yorkshire, is reviewed and discussed. Vegetational information is provided by thirteen pollen diagrams (nine percentage diagrams and four influx diagrams) for seven sites on the moor. At the end of the Late-Devensian period Rombalds Moor was aspecies-rich grassland. Following the Post-glacial warming of the climate-there was a succession of trees arriving in the area, but true woodland was not established until c.8800 years BP. Dates are proposed for two early Mesolithic forest burnings, and late Mesolithic disturbance has been noted, particularly at the Alnus rise. The morphology of the Alnus rise differs in diagrams from different parts of the moor. Differences in diagrams from the same site, together with radiocarbon dating evidence, points to the presence of one or more hiatuses in the late Boreal/early Atlantic. At this site there is evidence that Pinus persisted long after the Alnus rise. There was a small amount of clearance, but no agriculture, in the Neolithic period. In the Bronze Age there was more extensive clearance, some pastoralism, and a limited amount of cereal cultivation in the east of the moor. Pollen analysis of a buried soil provides evidence that a supposed 'Bronze Age' cairn represents a burial, but the radiocarbon date is Iron Age. Major deforestation took place in the Iron Age when the population moved from the higher land into the valleys and there were significant increases in both pastoral and arable farming. Cultivation stopped and woodland regrew in some areas towards the end of the Roman period. There is evidence that removal of the woodland cover led to soil degeneration on the higher parts of the moor which prevented later regrowth of woodland. In the late 13th and early 14th centuries remaining woodland was cleared and agriculture increased, particularly pastoralism. Recent changes involve the decline of heather as a result of overgrazing.

No description available.

This study elucidates the Postglacial vegetational history of lowland lake sites in Gwynedd using detailed palynological work integrated with radiocarbon dating, loss-on-ignition, chemical, charcoal, and X-ray diffraction analyses. An early Postglacial phase of Juniperus-Betula scrub was succeeded by open Betula-Corylus woodland at Llyn Cororion, a kettlehole site on the Arfon Platform (SH597688). Ouercus and tilmus were established by 8600 BP and Pinus dominated locally at 8425 BP. A subsequent water level rise and fire disturbance encouraged the spread of Alnus. Tilia was established by 5650 BP. Progressive deforestation began in the Late Bronze Age with increased fire use and spread of grassland; cereals are first recorded at 2900 BP. There is evidence that Llyn Cororion was used for Cannabis retting during Mediaeval times. Postglacial vegetation at Llyn Hendref (SH398765), an exposed lake basin on Anglesey, was dominated by CoryJ.us and Alnus; mixed, open oak woodland occurred away from the lake basin but Tili p and Pinus were never abundant. In the late Postglacial there was increased fire disturbance resulting in effective soil erosion and acceleration of mire development. Mire encroachment increased around 8700 BP resulting in lake shallowing and increased sediment erosion and redistribution. Site comparison with published work (Melynllyn and Nant Ffrancon) shows that there were variations in vegetational development within North Wales. Radiocarbon dating shows that similar vegetational events were time transgressive determined by migration rates, soil conditions, competition, hydrology and altitude.

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