Abstract
The close connections between the Archaeological–Palaeoecological–Ecological communities are particularly evident at peatland sites. The waterlogged conditions which make peatlands important in terms of biodiversity and modern Ecology also result in the exceptional preservation of the organic deposits at depth. These sediments contain palaeoecological remains used to identify past economies and reconstruct landscapes and environments, as well as preserving organic archaeological remains.
Although we have a common desire for the long-term preservation of peatlands and their constituent deposits, the impact of environmental changes on the preservation of Palaeoecological and Archaeological remains is often overlooked. However, better understanding these impacts is vital in determining the viability of their long-term preservation in-situ; obtaining initial condition data (e.g. through molecular analysis and/or scoring systems) is rarely undertaken, yet provides a crucial baseline against which subsequent data can be compared.
Using a series of case studies, we will demonstrate the importance of peatlands to the fields of Archaeology and Palaeoecology. By illustrating the importance of the archive preserved within these landscapes, we argue the need to recognise the potential effect on the Historic Environment of mitigation strategies.
Although we have a common desire for the long-term preservation of peatlands and their constituent deposits, the impact of environmental changes on the preservation of Palaeoecological and Archaeological remains is often overlooked. However, better understanding these impacts is vital in determining the viability of their long-term preservation in-situ; obtaining initial condition data (e.g. through molecular analysis and/or scoring systems) is rarely undertaken, yet provides a crucial baseline against which subsequent data can be compared.
Using a series of case studies, we will demonstrate the importance of peatlands to the fields of Archaeology and Palaeoecology. By illustrating the importance of the archive preserved within these landscapes, we argue the need to recognise the potential effect on the Historic Environment of mitigation strategies.
| Original language | English |
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| Publication status | Unpublished - 2018 |
| Event | Peatland Connections: Building Prosperity: IUCN Peatland Programme - Loch Lomond Duration: 2 Oct 2018 → 4 Oct 2018 |
Conference
| Conference | Peatland Connections: Building Prosperity |
|---|---|
| Period | 2/10/18 → 4/10/18 |