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A sediment-based multiproxy palaeoecological approach to the environmental archaeology of lake dwellings (crannogs), Central Ireland

O'Brien, C.E.; Selby, K.A.; Ruiz, Z.; Brown, A.G.; Dinnin, M.H.; Caseldine, C.J.; Langdon, P.G.; Stuijts, I.

Authors

K.A. Selby

Z. Ruiz

A.G. Brown

M.H. Dinnin

C.J. Caseldine

P.G. Langdon

I. Stuijts



Abstract

A multiproxy study of Ballywillin Crannog, Lough Kinale, central Ireland is presented. The methodology used reveals the wealth of information that a multiproxy approach can contribute in lake settlement studies. Plant macrofossils, pollen and spores, diatoms, chironomids and Coleoptera from a lake core are used to reconstruct local and regional vegetation change and lake history to establish the age and function of the crannog. The palaeoecological evidence suggests that Ballywillin Crannog was constructed around AD620, with its most intensive period of occupation after AD1150. Cereals and a range of gathered fruits and nuts were brought onto and cooked on the crannog, and cereal grains were possibly stored there.

Citation

O'Brien, C., Selby, K., Ruiz, Z., Brown, A., Dinnin, M., Caseldine, C., …Stuijts, I. (2005). A sediment-based multiproxy palaeoecological approach to the environmental archaeology of lake dwellings (crannogs), Central Ireland. Holocene, 15(5), 707-719. https://doi.org/10.1191/0959683605hl845rp

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Jul 1, 2005
Deposit Date Apr 8, 2009
Journal Holocene
Print ISSN 0959-6836
Electronic ISSN 1477-0911
Publisher SAGE Publications
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 15
Issue 5
Pages 707-719
DOI https://doi.org/10.1191/0959683605hl845rp
Keywords Pollen, Plant macrofossils, Diatoms, Chironomids, Coleoptera, Crannog, Environmental archaeology, Llate Holocene, Ireland.