Huddart, D. & Glasser, N.F. 2007. Quaternary of Northern England. Geological Conservation Review Series No. 25, JNCC, Peterborough, ISBN 1 86107 490 5. The original source material for these web pages has been made available by the JNCC under the Open Government Licence 3.0. Full details in the JNCC Open Data Policy
Tables
(Table 1.1) Quaternary of northern England: tor evolution network
Site name |
GCR selection criteria |
Great Almscliff Crag, North Yorkshire |
Representative of Pennine tors developed on Millstone Grit; within the Dimlington Stadial ice limit |
Burbage Brook, High Peak |
Representative of Pennine tors developed on Millstone Grit; demonstrates relationship between tors, geological structure and slope evolution |
Brimham Rocks, North Yorkshire |
Representative of Pennine scarp-edge ton developed on Millstone Grit |
Wyns Tor, High Peak |
Representative of Pennine tors developed on dolomitized limestone; evidence for a former weathering cover surrounding tor |
Bridestones, North Yorkshire |
Representative of North York Moors tors developed on limestone |
Blackstone Edge, Greater Manchester |
Representative of the Pennine weathering cover (Millstone Grit grus); demonstrates that the majority of weathering is mechanical in origin |
Stiperstones, Shropshire |
Representative of quartzite tors developed adjacent to Dimlington Stadial ice limit; demonstrates association with periglacial landforms and sediments |
Cheviot Tors, Northumberland |
Representative of tors developed in andesite and granite; demonstrates relationship with deeply weathered bedrock and glacial landforms and sediments |
(Table 2.2) Relationships between the British Quaternary stratigraphical classification (after Mitchell et al., 1973), selected lithostratigraphical units, oxygen isotope stratigraphy and polarity (from Bowen, 1999).
1st Edition (1973) |
Lithostratigraphy |
Aminozone |
D-alle/L-Ile$ |
Age (ka)† |
δ18O and polarity |
|
Hailing Member |
Hailing |
0.036 ± 0.01 (3) |
10.9 ± 0.12 (14C) |
2 |
Devensian |
Stockport Formation δ Upton Warren Member |
Upton Warren |
0.07 ± 0.007 (3) |
|
3 |
|
Cassington Member |
Cassington |
0.08 ± 0.009 (6) |
~80 (OSL) |
5a |
Ipswichian |
Trafalgar Square Member |
Trafalgar Square |
0.1 ± 0.001 (11) |
124 ± 5.4 (U) |
5e |
|
Ridgacre Formation Δ Kidderminster Member |
|
|
159.5 ± 13 (36Cl) |
6 |
Wolstonian |
Strensham Court Bed |
Strensham |
0.17 ± 0.01 (4) |
~200 (OSL)* |
7 |
|
Rushley Green Member |
|
|
|
8 |
|
Hoxne Formation |
Hoxne |
0.26 ± 0.02 (9) |
319 ± 38 (ESR) |
9 |
Hoxnian |
Spring Hill Member |
|
|
|
10 |
|
Swanscombe Member |
Swanscombe |
0.3 ± 0.017 (34) |
~400 (U)* 471 ± 15 (TL)* |
11 |
Anglian |
Lowestoft Formation A |
|
|
|
12 |
|
West Runton Member |
West Runton |
0.35 ± 0.01 (9) |
~500 (ESR) |
13 |
Cromerian |
Waverley Wood Member |
Waverley Wood |
0.38 ± 0.026 (5) |
|
15 |
|
Kenn Formation Δ |
|
|
|
16 |
|
Grace Formation ‡ |
Grace |
0.43 ± 0.02 (4) |
810 ± 140 (ESR) |
21 |
|
$ Number of analyses in parentheses
† Age estimate – method in parentheses
* Age established at another locality of the aminozone
Δ Glacial formation
‡ Somme Valley, France |
|
|
|
|
(Table 2.3) Proposed climatostratigraphical stages in Britain (after Mitchell et al., 1973).
Stage |
Stratotype |
Notes |
Flandrian |
|
Begins 10 ka (14C); base at bottom of pollen zone IV |
Devensian |
Four Ashes, Staffordshire [SJ 914 082] |
Late: 26–10 ka (14C) |
|
|
Middle: 50–26 ka (14C): includes Upton Warren interstadial complex |
|
|
Early: preceding 50 ka (14C): includes Chelford interstadial ~60 ka (14C) |
Ipswichian |
Bobbitshole, Ipswich [TM 148 414] |
Base at beginning of pollen zone II |
Wolstonian |
Wolston, Warwickshire [SP 411 748] |
Includes Baginton–Lillington gravels, Baginton sand, Wolston series, |
|
|
Dunsmore gravels; base at bottom of Baginton–Lillington gravels |
Hoxnian |
Hoxne, Suffolk [TM 543 977] |
Base at beginning of pollen zone HI |
Anglian |
Corton Cliff, Suffolk [TM 543 977] |
Lowestoft Till, Corton Sands, Norwich Brickearth/Cromer Till; base at bottom of lower till |
Cromerian |
West Runton, Norfolk [TG 188 432] |
Upper Freshwater Bed; base at bottom of pollen zone C1 |
Beestonian |
Beeston, Norfolk [TG 169 433] |
Arctic Freshwater Bed; base at bottom of pollen zone PI |
Pastonian |
Paston, Norfolk [TG 341 352] |
Gravels, sands and silts; base at bottom of pollen zone BeI |
Baventian |
Easton Bavents, Suffolk [TM 518 787] |
Marine silt; base at bottom of pollen zone L4 |
Antian |
Ludham, Norfolk (borehole at [TG 385 199]) |
Marine shelly sand; base at bottom of pollen zone L3 (forams: Lv) |
Thurman |
|
Marine silt: base at bottom of pollen zone L2 (forams: Lm) |
Ludhamian |
|
Shelly sand: base at bottom of pollen zone L1 (forams: Ll) |
Waltonian |
Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex [TM 267 237] |
Older Red Crag; base at bottom of Crag at Walton |
(Table 4.4) Shell list from the Easington raised beach (based on Woolacott, 1920, 1922).
Species |
|
Littorina littorea |
common |
Littorina obtusata |
common |
Littorina rudis |
|
Patella vulgata |
common |
Nucella lapillus |
|
Cliona sp. |
|
Polydora sp. |
|
Saxicava sp. |
|
Buccinum undatum |
|
Arctica islandica |
|
Mytilus edulis |
|
Pecten sp. |
|
Rhynchonella psittacea |
|
Helix sp. |
|
(Table 4.5) Faunal list for the Speeton Shell Bed (after Lamplugh, 1881c; Thistlewood and Whyte, 1993).
Psammobia sp. |
Mactra sp. |
Cerastoderma edule (L.) |
Tellina balthica |
Cardium edule |
Macoma balthica (L.) |
Scrobicularia plan (da Costa) |
Scrobicularia piperata |
Littorina littorea (L.) |
L. rudis |
Hydrobia (Peringia or Sabanaea) ulnae |
(Pennant) |
Retusa obtusa (Montagu) var. pretenuis |
Mytilus edulis (L.) |
Utriculus obtusus |
Littorina saxatilis (Olivi) |
Littorina littoralis (L.) |
Balanus crenatus echinoid spines |
(Table 4.6) Amino acid (D/L) ratios of Macoma balthica from the Speeton Shell Bed (from Wilson, 1991).
Collection date |
Laboratory identification |
D/L ratio |
Mean |
1966 |
A |
0.172 |
0.178 ± 0.005 |
(L.F. Penny) |
B |
0.173 |
|
|
C |
0.182 |
|
|
D |
0.184 |
|
1988 |
50 cm* |
0.154 |
0.203 ± 0.035 |
|
1.20 cm* |
0.224 |
|
|
1.60 cm* |
0.230 |
|
*Depth collected from top of shell bed |
(Table 4.7) Pollen of the Speeton Shell Bed (from West, 1969).
Arboreal pollen |
Non-arboreal pollen |
Betula |
Corylus |
Pinus |
Gramineae |
Ulm us |
Cyperaceae |
Quercus |
Compositae (Ligulatae) |
Carpinus |
Filipendula |
Picea |
Plantago maritima |
|
Umbelliferae |
|
Sparganium-type |
|
Filicales |
(Table 4.8) Correlation of post-Hoxnian events, amino acid ratios and oxygen isotope stages (after Wymer, 1985; Bowen and Sykes, 1988).
Age (ka BP) |
Oxygen isotope stage |
D/L ratio (Macoma) |
Stage |
|
2 |
|
Dimlington |
24 |
3 |
0.085 |
|
59 |
4 |
|
|
71 |
5a–d |
|
|
122 |
5e |
0.16 |
Ipswichian |
128 |
6 |
|
Wolstonian 3 |
186 |
7 |
0.2 |
Ilfordian |
245 |
8 |
|
|
303 |
9 |
0.29 |
Hoxnian |
(Table 4.9) Faunal list for the Sewerby sedimentary units (after Lamplugh, 1891b; Boylan, 1967; Catt, 1987c).
|
Ipswichian beach gravel |
Colluvium |
Aeolian dune sand |
Mammalia |
|
|
|
Crocuta crocuta (hyaena) |
• |
|
• |
Ursus (bear) |
|
• |
|
Palaeoloxodon antiquus (straight-tusked elephant) |
|
|
• |
Didermoceros hemitoechus (narrow-nosed rhinoceras) |
• |
|
• |
Hippopotamus amphibius (hippopotamus) |
• |
|
|
Megaloceros giganteus (giant deer) |
|
• |
|
Bison cf. Priscus (bison) |
• |
• |
• |
Arvicola terrestris (water vole) |
|
• |
|
Mollusca |
|
|
|
Littorina littorea L. |
• |
|
|
Ostrea edulis L. |
• |
|
|
Mytilus edulis L. |
• |
|
|
Purpura lapillus L. |
• |
|
|
Pholas sp. |
• |
|
|
Saxicava sp. |
• |
|
|
Helix hispida L. |
|
• |
|
Helix pulchella Mull |
|
• |
|
Pupa marginata Drap. |
|
• |
|
Zua subcyclindrica L. |
|
• |
|
(Table 5.1) The mammalian fauna from the Pin Hole Mammalian Zone, Lower Cave Earth, Pin Hole Cave, Cresswell, Derbyshire (after Currant and Jacobi, 2001).
Homo species |
artefacts |
Lepus timidus |
mountain hare |
Spermophilus major |
red-cheeked suslik |
Canis lupis |
wolf |
Vulpes vulpes |
red fox |
Ursus arctos |
brown bear |
Mustela erminea |
stoat |
Mustela putorius |
polecat |
Crocuta crocuta |
spotted hyaena |
Panthera leo |
lion |
Mammathus primigenius |
woolly mammoth |
Equus ferus |
wild horse |
Coelodonta antiquitatis |
woolly rhinoceros |
Megaloceros giganteus |
giant deer |
Rangifer tarandus |
reindeer |
Bison priscus |
bison |
(Table 5.2) Radiocarbon dates (years BP) on spotted hyaena remains from the Cresswell area, Derbyshire (after Currant and Jacobi, 2001)
Robin Hood Cave |
OxA-6115 |
22 800 |
± 240 |
Robin Hood Cave |
OxA-6114 |
22 980 |
± 480 |
Church Hole |
OxA-5800 |
24 000 |
± 260 |
Ash Tree Cave |
OxA-5798 |
25 660 |
± 380 |
Church Hole |
OxA-5799 |
26 840 |
± 420 |
West Pin Hole (Dog Hole) |
OxA-5803 |
29 300 |
± 420 |
Robin Hood Cave |
OxA-5802 |
31 050 |
± 500 |
Pin Hole |
OxA-1206 |
32 200 |
± 1000 |
Robin Hood Cave |
OxA-5801 |
33 450 |
± 700 |
Pin Hole |
OxA-1207 |
34 500 |
± 1200 |
Pin Hole |
OxA-4754 |
37 800 |
± 1600 |
Pin Hole |
OxA-1448 |
42 200 |
± 3000 |
(Table 5.3) Coleoptera from the Chelford Formation (data from Coope, 1959).
Family |
Number of species |
Carabidae |
30 |
Dytiscidae |
12 |
Hydrophilidae |
4 |
Silphidae |
3 |
Leiodidae |
1 |
Staphilinidae |
13 |
Elateridae |
8 |
Helodidae |
1 |
Byrrhidae |
4 |
Coccinellidae |
2 |
Scarabaeidae |
2 |
Cerambycidae |
1 |
Chrysomelidae |
7 |
Curculionidae |
10 |
Scolytidae |
2 |
(Table 5.5) The flora and fauna of the Dimlington Silts.
Coleoptera |
Agabus bipustulatus L. |
Aleocharinae indet. |
Amara alpina Paykull |
Amara quenseli Sch. |
Aphodius sp. |
Arpedium brachypterum Gr. |
Bembidion sp. (lunatum group) |
Bledius fuscipes Rye |
Byrrhus sp. |
Cercyon sp. |
Feronia blandulus Mill. |
Hydrobius sp. |
Notaris aethiops F. |
Ostracoda |
Candona neglecta Sars |
Cypridopsis vidua (Mull.) |
Cyprinotus salinus (Brady) |
Eucypris gemella Bodina |
Ilocypyris gibba (Ramdohr) |
Plants |
Daphnia ephippia |
Eleocharis palustris (L.) |
Menyanthes trifoliata (L.) |
Pohlia wahlenbergii (Web. & Mohr) glacialis (Schleich.) |
Potamogeton alpinus Potamogeton filiformis |
Trees |
Pinus (sparse pollen) |
Betula (sparse pollen) |
(Table 6.3) Stratigraphy at Gransmoor (after Walker et al., 1993)
Lithological unit |
Depth (cm) |
Description |
16 |
0–17/23 |
Fibrous peat; boundary is sharp but irregular, suggesting a possible hiatus. Blocks of reworked Late-Glacial clay occur within the Holocene peats. |
15 |
17/23–37 |
Clay with sand laminae; laterally and vertically variable. |
14 |
37–41 |
Angular and rounded chalk fragments. |
13 |
41–88 |
Grey plastic day; clearly defined sand laminations at 49,74,82 and 89 cm. |
12 |
90–112 |
Clay unit with abundant sandy laminations, varying from a few millimetres to 1 cm in thickness. Each lamination continuous and of uniform thickness. |
11 |
112–115 |
Grey plastic day with small (<1 cm) pellets of chalk; latter appear flattened m the horizontal plane. |
10 |
115–120 |
Silt/clay; black 'felted' peat layer at 120 cm |
9 |
120–146 |
Laminated silt/clay with intercalations of 'felted' peat/plant debris. |
8 |
146–147 |
Plastic grey clay. |
7 |
147–172 |
Organic mud, but with clearly defined mineral/organic laminations in upper levels. Organic component variable, but maximum organic carbon values (~30%) towards the base of the unit. Bands of compressed plant debris occur in these lower levels. |
6 |
172–187 |
Grey/brown silt/clay. Slightly organic (10% or less) throughout, but clearly defined clay-rich sub-unit from 174–178 cm; fibrous root material abundant. |
5 |
187–203 |
Clay gyttja; organic content exceeds 20%, with maximum values (33%) near base of unit. |
4 |
203–207 |
Transitional unit with intercalations of organic mud and grey silt/clay. |
3 |
207–223 |
Clay marl with intermittent small (<2 cm) pellets of chalk; slightly organic (<10%) throughout. |
2 |
223–235 |
Sand and clay laminae (up to 1 cm in thickness); some fine rootlet casts in the upper part. |
1 |
Below 235 |
Sands and silts with intermittent horizons rich in gravel-sized particles of coal and occasional discrete lenses of slightly organic silt. |
(Table 6.4) List of climatically significant Coleoptera species from the Gransmoor stratigraphy (from Walker et al., 1993).
Cold-adapted species |
Warmth-adapted species |
Nebria nivalis |
*Bembidion grisvardi |
*Diacheila arctica |
Bembidion humerale |
*Diacheila polita |
Bembidion quadripustulatus |
Elaphrus lapponicus |
Bembidion octomaculatum |
*Bembidion fellmanni |
Pterostichus mater |
*Bembidion mckinleyi |
*Cymindis angularis |
*Agonum consimile |
Ochthebius pedicularis |
Amara alpina |
*Entomoscelis adonidis |
*Pycnoglypta lurida |
|
*Olophrum boreale |
|
*Acidota guadrata |
|
*Boreaphilus henningianus |
|
*Boreaphilus nordenskioeldi |
|
Oreodytes alpinus |
|
*Colymbetes dolabratus |
|
Dysticus lapponicus |
|
Gyrinus opacus |
|
*Helophorus sibiricus |
|
*Helophorus glacialis |
|
*Helophorus obscurellus |
|
*Simplocaria metallica |
|
*Hippodamia arctica |
|
(Table 6.5) Limnological characteristics of Hawes Water
Hawes Water |
|
Dimensions |
∼400 x 225 metres |
Elevation |
8 metres above sea level; distance to sea ∼5 kilometres |
Water depth |
Marl shelf ∼1.2 metres; maximum ∼12 metres |
Lake volume |
∼390 000 cubic metres |
Water supply |
Direct precipitation (∼1350 mm/a), spring, groundwater |
Water temperature |
Surface water 5–18°C; deep water –5–8°C |
Catchment area |
1.77 km2 |
Residence time |
2–6 months? |
Carbonate precipitation |
Seasonal Biogenic (skeletal): gastropods, bivalves, ostracods, Chara Biologically mediated (plants/microbial) |
Sediment record |
'Marl': (bio)micrite, clay, peat, gyttja |
(Table 7.2) The locations and lithologies of the main tors in Britain (compiled from various sources, including Goudie and Piggott (1981) and Ballantyne and Harris (1994)).
Area |
Lithology |
References |
1. England |
|
|
Isles of Scilly |
Granite |
Scourse (1987) |
Dartmoor (South-west England) |
Granite |
Linton (1955); Palmer and Neilson (1962); Eden and Green (1971); Gerrard (1974, 1978, 1988) |
Exmoor (South-west England) |
Sandstone |
Mottershead (1967) |
Weald (South-east England) |
Sandstone |
Robinson and Williams (1976) |
Charnwood Forest (Midlands) |
Granite, microdiorite and hornstone |
Ford (1967) |
Tabular Hills (Yorkshire) |
Silicified grits |
Palmer (1956) |
Derbyshire |
Dolomite |
Ford (1963, 1969) |
Derbyshire |
Gritstone |
Palmer and Radley (1961); Linton (1964); Cunningham (1964, 1965) |
Stiperstones (Shropshire) |
Quartzite |
Goudie and Piggott (1981); Clark (1994a) |
Cheviot Hills |
Granite |
Common (1954); Douglas and Harrison (1985) |
2. Wales |
|
|
Central Wales |
Igneous rocks, grits |
Potts (1971) |
Pembrokeshire |
Rhyolite |
Linton (1955) |
Preseli Hills |
Dolerite |
Linton (1955) |
3. Scotland |
|
|
Cairngorm Mountains |
Granite |
Linton (1949, 1955); King (1968); Ballantyne (1994) |
North-east Scotland |
Granite |
Linton (1955) |
Ochil Hills |
Andesite |
Linton (1955) |
Ben Loyal (Sutherland) |
Syenite |
Linton (1955) |
Caithness |
Sandstones and grits |
Linton (1955) |
Trotternish, Skye |
Basalt |
Ballantyne (1990, 1991) |
(Table 8.1) Radiocarbon dated pollen zone horizons at Scaleby Moss (after Godwin et al., 1957)
Sample number |
Depth related to pollen diagram B or C (cm) |
Pollen zonation |
Age (years BP) |
Q172 |
67.0–69.0 B |
Zone VIIb base |
5030 ± 119 |
Q171 |
69.0–71.0 B |
VIIa/VIIb boundary (Atlantic Sub-boreal/transition) |
4975 ± 134 |
Q173 |
71.0–73.0 B |
Zone Vila top |
5037 ± 122 |
Q166 |
174.5–176.5 B |
Zone VIIa base |
6998 ± 131 |
Q165 |
176.5–178.S B |
VINIIa boundary (Boreal/Atlantic transition) |
7475 ± c. 350 |
Q167 |
178.5–180.5 B |
Zone VI top |
7404 ± 146 |
Q161 |
−0.5–1.5 C |
Zone VI base (V/VI boundary) |
9052 ± 194 |
Q162 |
3.5–5.5 C |
Zone V fop |
8859 ± 192 |
Q155 |
44.5–46.5 C |
Zone V base |
9790 ± 183 |
Q154 |
46.5–48.5 C |
N/V boundary (Pre-boreal/Boreal transition) |
9607 ± 209 |
Q152 |
69.5–71.5 C |
Zone N base |
10 203 ± 193 |
Q151 |
71.5–73.5 C |
III/TV boundary (Post-glacial/Late-glacial transition) |
10 307 ± c. 350 |
Q153 |
73.5–75.5 C |
Zone III top |
10 368 ± 215 |
Q144 |
109.5–111.5 C |
Zone III base |
10 878 ± 185 |
Q147 |
123.0–125.0 C |
Zone II top I combined [with Q148] |
10 748 ± 207 |
Q148 |
125.0–127.0 C |
Zone II top — [see Q147 age] |
|
(Table 8.3) Stratigraphy at Valley Bog (after Chambers, 1978)
Depth (cm) |
Stratigraphy |
0–50 |
Not sampled |
50–75 |
Sedge peat of low humification (H4) with some Calluna remains |
75–100 |
Sedge peat of low humification-(H3) with some Calluna |
100–150 |
Sedge peat of low humification (H4) with abundant pieces of Calluna |
150–200 |
Slightly muddy sedge peat of medium humification (H5–6) with Calluna |
200–250 |
Slightly muddy sedge peat of low humification (H3–4) with Betula wood |
250–290 |
Slightly muddy sedge peat of low humification (H5–6) with less Betula |
290–525 |
Slightly muddy sedge peat of low humification (HS-6) with abundant pieces of Betula wood |
525–580 |
Bryophyte peat of low humification (H3) composed mainly of Paludella squarrosa together with some |
|
Eriophorum sedge remains |
580–600 |
Sedge peat of low humification (H3–4) with some Eriophorum |
(Table 8.4) Stratigraphy at TSI, Red Sike Moss (after Turner et al., 1973)
Depth (cm) |
Description |
0–12 |
Dark brown crumbly Calluna peat with some Eriophorum remains, Juncus seeds, megaspores of Selaginella selaginoides with Carex seeds |
12–25 |
Light brown, Calluna–Eriophorum peat containing remains of sedges and megaspores of Selaginella |
25–40 |
Dark brown peat containing burnt Calluna stems |
40–112 |
Dry, moderately humified, light brown Phragmites peat with burnt Calluna stems, seeds of Carex sp. and Menyanthes trifoliata and megaspores of Selaginella |
112–135 |
Light brown Phragmites peat containing twigs of Betula, leaves and seeds of B. nana, seeds of Menyanthes and Carex sp., a single seed of Lychnis flos-cuculi, Chara oospores and megaspores of Selaginella |
135–143 |
Phragmites peat with a few Betula fragments and seeds of Carex sp., Carduus cirsium sp., Viola sp. and Lychnis flos-cuculi and megaspores of Selaginella |
(Table 8.6) PIC dates from TSI, Red Sike Moss. They were dated at the Gakushuin laboratory (Japan) and the dates were based on the Libby half-life of 5570 ± 30 years (after Turner et al., 1973)
Laboratory code |
Depth (cm) |
Pollen horizon |
Age, in radiocarbon years BP (before 1950) |
GaK-2027 |
14 |
Rise in Gramineae Callum and Plantago; beginning of zone G |
2570 ± 80 |
GaK-2028 |
44 |
Beginning of zone A |
3390 ± 90 |
GaK-2029 |
70 |
Beginning of subzone Oc |
6150 ± 160 |
GaK-2030 |
120 |
End of zone H |
8250 ± 280 |
GaK-2031 |
135 |
End of zone J |
9900 ± 190 |
(Table 8.8) Stratigraphy at Mere Sands Wood (after Baxter, 1983; Tooley, 1985; Wilson, 1985; Bateman, 1995).
Unit |
Depth (cm) |
Lithology |
9 |
0–90 |
Mere Sands (Wilson, 1985) |
8 |
90–98 |
Sandy substantia humosa |
7 |
98–105 |
Fine detrital mud |
6 |
105–139 |
Turfa herbaceae |
5 |
139–140 |
Turfa menyanthis |
4 |
140–141 |
Fine detrital mud |
3 |
141–157 |
Fine–sandy detrital mud and Turfa herbaceae |
2 |
157–160 |
Fine detrital mud and Turfa herbaceae |
1 |
160–Locally up to 5 metres thick |
Shirdley Hill Formation: loose fine to medium moderately to moderately well sorted sands displaying weak cross-bedding and cryoturbation structures |
(Table 8.9) Generalized stratigraphy of Old Mere, Hornsea (source: Beckett, 1981)
Depth in core (cm) |
Description |
0.00–0.50 |
Made ground |
0.50–1.40 |
Sandy clay |
1.40–1.75 |
Clayey detritus mud with organic matter |
1.75–9.30 |
Fine detritus mud with no recognizable plant material |
9.30–12.30 |
Silty clay with occasional organic matter |
12.30–12.60 |
Clayey fine detritus mus with some silt |
12.60–13.80 |
Gravelly clay |
(Table 8.10) Peat stratigraphy at Fen Bogs, North York Moors (after Atherden, 1976a; Chiverrell, 1998).
Bed |
Depth (cm) |
Environment |
Stratigraphy |
1 |
0–140 |
Ombrogenous mire |
Poorly humified Sphagnum and Monocotyledonous peat |
2 |
0–140 |
Ombrogenous mire |
Well-humified Monocotyledonous peat |
3 |
140–600 |
Phragmites reed-swamp |
Well-humified Phragmites australis peat, with occasional other mire plant remains (Eriophorum spp., Ericaceae and Sphagnum) |
|
|
Partially wooded |
Well-humified Phragmites peat, with occasional |
|
600–820 |
Phragmites reed-swamp |
wood remains (Betula, Alnus and Salix) |
|
|
|
Well-humified wood peat, with Betula, Salix and |
4 |
820–920 |
Fen/Carr woodland mire |
occasional Phragmites remains |
5 |
920–960 |
Mire inception |
Well-humified peat rich with inorganic material |
6 |
960– |
Periglacial valley |
Blue-grey clay solifluction deposits |
(Table 8.11) Characteristic pollen taxa of the 16 pollen assemblage zones and subzones from Thorpe Bulmer (Bartley et al., 1976).
Phase |
Major taxa |
Lesser taxa |
TBIXc |
Gramineae, Cyperaceae |
Plantago lanceolata, Ericaceae |
TBIXb |
Gramineae, Taraxacum, Plantago lanceolata, P. majormedia |
Alnus, Cyperaceae |
TBIXa |
Alnus, Gramineae, Cannabis |
Plantago lanceolata |
TBVIII |
Corylus |
Quercus, Alnus |
TBVII |
Corylus |
Betula |
TBVI |
Betula |
Salix, Filipendula |
TBVb |
Betula, Filipendula, Salix |
Juniperus, Empetrum |
TBVa |
Gramineae, Empetrum |
Cyperaceae, Betula, Galium |
TBIVc |
Cyperaceae, Thalictrum |
Gramineae, Ranunculus, Artemisia |
TBIVb |
Cyperaceae, Gramineae |
Thalictrum, Artemisia, Caryophyllaceae |
TBIVa |
Cyperaceae, Gramineae |
Rumex, Caryophyllaceae |
TBIIIc |
Betula, Filipendula |
Gramineae, Cyperaceae, Empetrum |
TBIllb |
Gramineae, Cyperaceae |
Betula, Juniperus, Filipendula |
TBIIIa |
Betula, Empetrum |
Juniperus, Filipendula |
TBII |
Juniperus |
Helianthemum, Cyperaceae, Gramineae |
TBI |
Cyperaceae, Gramineae |
Betula nana, Salix, Juniperus, Ruderals |
(Table 8.12) Radiocarbon determinations from Lindow Moss (data from Ambers et al., 1986; Gowlett et al., 1986; Otlet et al., 1986; Housley et al., 1995; Leah et al., 1997)
Laboratory reference |
Sample type |
14C age (years BP; ±1σ)reference |
Lindow I |
|
|
OxA-114 |
Collagen from bone |
1740 ± 80 |
Lindow II (Lindow man) |
|
|
OxA-531 |
Amino acids from hair |
1920 ± 20 |
OxA-604 |
Amino acids from bone |
1850 ± 80 |
Ox.A-605 |
Amino acids from soft tissue |
2125 ± 80 |
OxA-781 |
Standard amino acids |
1940 ± 80 |
OxA-782 |
Pre-bleach amino acids |
1950 ± 80 |
OxA-783 |
Hyroxyproline |
1920 ± 80 |
03(A-784 |
Standard amino acids |
1900 ± 80 |
OxA-785 |
Proline |
1900 ± 80 |
OxA-786 |
Collagen, Oxford preparation |
1800 ± 80 |
OxA-787 |
Collagen, Harwell preparation |
1870 ± 80 |
03(A-788 |
Collagen, Harwell preparation |
1870 ± 80 |
OxA-789 |
Humic (standard amino acids) |
2190 ± 100 |
OxA-790 |
Humic (bleach) |
1970 ± 80 |
OxA-1040 |
Stomach contents |
1910 ± 60 |
OxA-1041 |
Humic from stomach contents |
2210 ± 60 |
HAR-6224 |
Wrist bone |
2420 ± 100 |
HAR-6235a |
Leg bone |
1540 ± 100 |
HAR-6235b |
Leg bone |
1650 ± 80 |
HAR-6491 |
Skin |
1550 ± 70 |
HAR-6492 |
Rib bone |
1625 ± 80 |
HAR-6493 |
Skin and hair |
1530 ± 110 |
HAR-6856a |
Vertebra |
1480 ± 90 |
HAR-6856b |
Vertebra |
1610 ± 80 |
Lindow III |
|
|
|
Bone (P2255) |
|
OxA-1S17 |
Amino acids from unbleached collagen |
1740 ± 90 |
OxA-1518 |
Amino acids from bleached collagen |
1750 ± 90 |
HAR-9094 |
Unbleached collagen |
2010 ± 80 |
|
|
|
|
Skin (P2256) |
|
OxA-1519 |
Amino acids from unbleached collagen |
1850 ± 90 |
OxA-1520 |
Amino acids from bleached collagen |
1700 ± 120 |
HAR-9092 |
Unbleached collagen |
1880 ± 80 |
|
Skin (P2257) |
|
OxA-1521 |
Amino acids from unbleached collagen |
1890 ± 100 |
0xA-1522 |
Amino acids from bleached collagen |
1760 ± 150 |
|
|
|
|
Bone (P2258) |
|
OxA-152.3 |
Amino acids from unbleached collagen |
2000 ± 100 |
OxA-1524 |
Amino acids from bleached collagen |
2040 ± 90 |
|
|
|
HAR-9093 |
Unbleached collagen |
1860 ± 70 |
UB-3237 |
Peat 20–22 cm depth |
1488 ± 44 |
UB-3238 |
Peat 55–57 cm depth |
1764 ± 48 |
HAR-6521 |
Peat between right arm and head |
2300 ± 70 |
HAR-6562 |
Peat monolith 125 0–3 cm |
2290 ± 90 |
HAR-6565 |
Peat, upper body contact (LII) |
2280 ± 70 |
UB-3239 |
Peat 117–119 cm depth |
2345 ± 45 |
BM-2398 |
Peat, underside of arm (LII) htunin |
2590 ± 170 |
BM-2399 |
Peat, underside of arm (LII) humic |
2470 ± 250 |
BM-2400 |
Peat below recurrence surface humin |
2450 ± 80 |
BM-2401 |
Peat below recurrence surface humic |
2400 ± 80 |
UB-3240 |
Peat 119–121 cm depth |
2447 ± 43 |
UB-3241 |
Peat 188–190 cm depth |
3724 ± 55 |
HAR-8875 |
Charcoal-rich soil |
4980 ± 70 |
GU-5562 |
Peat |
4060 ± 70 |
GU-5566 |
Peat |
7780 ± 70 |
(Table 8.13) Stratigraphy and pollen analyses from Wybunbury Moss (compiled from data in Poore and Walker, 1959)
Depth (metres) |
Description |
Dominant pollen |
0.00–0.50 |
Unconsolidated peat |
Sphagnum |
0.50–0.75 |
Sphagnum peat |
Sphagnum |
0.75–1.26 |
Sphagnum pool peat |
Sphagnum, Calluna, Gramineae, Alnus, Quercus |
1.26–1.50 |
Sphagnum peat with rootlets |
Sphagnum, Quercus |
1.50–2.77 |
Sphagnum peat |
Sphagnum, Quercus |
2.77–3.20 |
Sphagnum pool peat with rare Oxycoccus |
Sphagnum, Quercus, Betula |
3.20–3.50 |
Sphagnum peat with Calluna fragments |
Sphagnum, Quercus, Betula |
3.50–6.50 |
Sphagnum cuspidatum peat with Oxycoccus and rare Eriophorum vaginatum |
Cyperaceae, Corylus |
6.50–8.80 |
Coarse detritus mud with Phragmites, Carex and Menyanthes remains; Pinus bark at 7.35 metres |
Pinus, Corylus |
8.80–8.90 |
Wood fragments |
Pinus, Corylus |
8.90–9.50 |
Hypnum mud with Carex and Menyanthes remains |
Pinus, Corylus |
9.50–10.00 |
Woody coarse detritus mud |
Pinus, Corylus |
10.00–10.20 |
Liquid mud |
|
10.20–10.40 |
Woody coarse detritus mud |
Pinus, Corylus, Betula, Cyperaceae |
10.40–10.46 |
Clay mud |
Pinus, Corylus, Betula, Cyperaceae |
10.46–10.50 |
Grey clay |
Pinus, Corylus, Betula |
(Table 8.14) Comparison of the timing of wet shifts from Bolton Fell Moss and Walton Moss (data from Hughes et al., 2000). All ages are approximate and are years BP
Bolton Fell Moss |
Bolton Fell Moss |
Bolton Fell Moss |
Bolton Fell Moss |
(Barber, 1981) |
(Stoneman, 1993) |
(core BFMJ)(Barber et al., 1994b) |
(core WLM11) |
c. 200 |
|
|
c. 100 |
c. 500 |
c. 350 |
|
c. 300–350 |
c. 1000 |
|
c. 1300 |
c. 1450 |
|
|
|
c. 1650–1750 |
|
c. 2400 |
c. 1900–2200 |
c. 2100 to 2040–2320 |
|
c. 3100 |
c. 2650–2900 |
c. 2600 to 2680–3170 |
|
c. 3550 |
c. 3300–3600 |
c. 3500 |
|
|
c. 4000–4350 |
c. 3800 to 3990–4410 |
|
|
|
c. 4900–5300 |
|
|
|
c. 6800–7800 |
(Table 8.15) Stratigraphy for WH19 (data from Horton et al., 1999c)
Unit |
Depth (cm) |
Description |
12 |
0–4 |
Limus with herbaceous roots |
11 |
4–10 |
Silty limos |
10 |
10–14 |
Fine limus |
9 - |
14–22 |
Coarse limus with Phragmites |
8 |
22–24 |
Fine limus with Phragmites |
7 |
24–51 |
Blue-grey silty clay |
6 |
51–55 |
Coarse limos |
5 |
55–58 |
Silty limos |
4 |
58–59 |
Sand |
3 |
59–63 |
Limus with herbaceous roots |
2 |
63–75 |
Silty limus |
1 |
75+ |
Stiff clay |
(Table 8.16) Stratigraphy for HB4 (data from Horton et al., 1999c)
Unit |
Depth (cm) |
Description |
10 |
0–17 |
Slightly organic clayey silt |
9 |
17–40 |
Silty-clayey limos with some Phragmites |
8 |
40–45 |
Laminated light grey-brown silty clay with some limus and Phragmites |
7 |
45–58 |
Slightly clayey limus with herbaceous detritus and Phragmites |
6 |
58–66 |
Woody detrital peat with limus and Phragmites |
5 |
66–71 |
Dark brown limus with charcoal fragments and herbaceous detritus |
4 |
71–76 |
Light grey, slightly organic silty clay with charcoal and some herbaceous detritus |
3 |
76–79 |
Minero-organic sandy silt with plant rootlets and charcoal |
2 |
79–82 |
Very sandy clay with some herbaceous rootlets |
1 |
82+ |
Sandy blue clay with pebbles |
(Table 8.17) Marine transgressions in the Fylde (after Tooley 1978a).
Transgression |
Time limits (radiocarbon years BP) |
Lytham I |
9270–8575 |
Lytham II |
8390–7800 |
Lytham III |
7605–7200 |
Lytham IV |
6710–6157 |
Lytham V |
5947–5775 |
Lytham VI |
5570–4897 |
Lytham VII |
3700–3150 |
Lytham VIII |
3090–2270 |
Lytham IX |
1795–1370 |
Lytham X |
c. 817 |
(Table 8.18) Radiocarbon dates from the New Cut (after Huddart, 1992; Middleton et al., 2001).
Site name |
Coordinates |
Grid reference |
Material dated (after Troels-Smith, 1955) |
Palaeoenvironment represented |
Stratigraphical position of sample |
Laboratory code |
14C date (years BP ±σ) |
Height of top of sample (metres OD) |
Thickness of sample (metres) |
Depth of top of sample from ground surface (centimetres) |
Interpretation |
New Cut-A |
55°33'39"N 03°01'05"W |
[SD 3260 0762] |
Sh4, Th(Phra)2 + Th(Cladii)2 + Humous substance with Cladium and Phragmites |
Saltmarsh to reedswamps |
Silt overlaid by organic stratum |
Hv.12540 |
6870 ± 235 |
+0.52 |
0.02 |
134 |
Regressive overlap |
New Cut-A |
55°33'39"N 03°01'05"W |
[SD 3260 0762] |
Sh4, Th(Phra)2 + Humous substance with Phragmites |
Reedswamps to saltmarsh |
Organic stratum overlaid by silty clay |
Hv.12539 |
6840 ± 95 |
+0.99 |
0.02 |
87 |
Transgressive overlap |
New Cut-F |
53°33'47.5N 03°00'42'W |
[SD 3304 0787] |
Ld33, Th(Phra)21 Laminated limus with Phragmites |
Saltmarsh to reedswamps |
Silt overlaid by organic stratum |
Hv.12537 |
7015 ± 90 |
–0.20 |
0.02 |
180 |
Regressive overlap |
New Cut-F |
53°33'47.5"N 03°00'42'"W |
[SD 3304 0787] |
Ld34, Th3 + Laminated limus |
Reedswamps to saltmarsh |
Organic stratum overlaid by clayey silt |
Hy.12538 |
7435 ± 300 |
+0.16 |
0.02 |
144 |
Transgressive overlap |
New Cut |
|
|
Th2(Phra)3, Sh1, Dl+ Dh++ |
Phragmites turfa |
|
Gu-7229 |
5670 ± 70 |
+0.73 |
|
|
|
New Cut |
|
|
Dh3, Shl, Ag+ Dl+ Th(Phra)1+ |
Woody detritus |
|
Gu-7230 |
5810 ± 80 |
+0.60 |
|
|
|
New Cut |
|
|
Th2(Phra)3, Sh1, Ag+ Dh++ |
Phragmites turfa |
|
Gu-7231 |
6610 ± 80 |
–0.19 |
|
|
|
(Table 8.19) Radiocarbon dates associated with the Hightown stratigraphy illustrated in (Figure 8.115).
Sample number |
Laboratory number |
Date (years BP) |
Description |
56.01 |
Beta-119011 |
1180 ± 50 |
Silver birch tree growing in organic sand |
56.02 |
Beta-119012 |
4270 ± 60 |
Silver birch bark from the top of the peat bed |
56.03 |
Beta-119013 |
4310 ± 50 |
Osmunda regalis (Royal fern) stems from the top of the peat bed |
49.01 |
Beta-119007 |
4750 ± 80 |
Intermittent thin band of Phragmites peat covering the trackway |
49.13 |
Beta-119009 |
4430 ± 80 |
Wooden peg into the trackway |
49.16 |
Beta-119010 |
4910 ± 60 |
Part of lowest trackway resting on blue clay |
49.11 |
Beta-119008 |
5080 ± 60 |
Part of wooden trackway |
(Table 8.20) Tree and shrub species and the type of fossil remains at Hightown (from Travis, 1926).
Species |
Type of remains |
Pinus sylvestris |
Bark, wood |
Pinus sp. |
Pollen |
Myrica gale |
Cones, seeds and leaves |
Quercus sp. |
Bark, wood, acorns, pollen |
Betula sp. |
Bark, wood, pollen |
Alnus glutinosa |
Cones, seeds |
Corylus avellana |
Wood, nuts, pollen |
Tilia europaea |
Pollen |
Salix cinerea |
Leaves |
Salix aurita |
Leaves |
Salix sp. |
Pollen, wood |
Ilex aquifolium |
Leaves |
References