O'Connell, Michael; Molloy, Karen (2018): Lough Sheeauns, Co. Galway (profile SHE III): a detailed record of the Elm Decline and Neolithic Landnam in north-west Connemara [dataset publication series]. PANGAEA, https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.896784
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Abstract:
Detailed pollen analytical investigations by K. Molloy were carried out on a lake sediment core from Lough Sheeauns as part of a PhD study (1985–89). This small, sheltered lake is situated near Cleggan, in north-west Connemara where there is much evidence (mainly megaliths) for Neolithic and Bronze Age activity.
A continuous, high-count, pollen record, consisting of 41 samples, enables the Elm Decline and Neolithic Landnam to be reconstructed in detail. It is concluded that the Elm Decline is caused by a disease that differentially affected elm. The Elm Decline is followed by Neolithic Landnam, a particularly intensive farming (mainly pastoral) phase. This dates to 3860–3610 cal. BC (intensive phase: 3860–3690 cal. BC).
The chronology is based on 12 14C dates (13 dates in all; one reversal; this omitted). The age/depth relationship has been constructed using CLAM v. 2.2 (details are provided).
Photos (scans of photographic slides, etc.) are provided in a pdf file.
Additional notes:
Three spectra from the top sediment are presented in a separate EXCEL file, SHE3-recent.
Profile SHE IV is an outline pollen profile from a peat deposit near the eastern edge of L. Sheeauns.
Related to:
Molloy, Karen (1989): Palaeoecological investigations towards the reconstruction of prehistoric human impact in N.W. Connemara, western Ireland [dissertation]. Department of Botany, UCG (NUIG), Galway, 192 pp
Molloy, Karen; O'Connell, Michael (1987): The nature of the vegetational changes at about 5000 B.P. with particular reference to the Elm Decline: fresh evidence from Connemara, western Ireland. New Phytologist, 106, 203-220
Molloy, Karen; O'Connell, Michael (1988): Neolithic agriculture - fresh evidence from Cleggan, Connemara. Archaeology Ireland, 2, 67-70
Molloy, Karen; O'Connell, Michael (1991): Palaeoecological investigations towards the reconstruction of woodland and land-use history at Lough Sheeauns, Connemara, western Ireland. Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology, 67, 75-113
O'Connell, Michael; Molloy, Karen (2001): Farming and woodland dynamics in Ireland during the Neolithic. Biology and Environment-Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy, 101, 99-128
O'Connell, Michael; Molloy, Karen; Bowler, M (1988): Post-glacial landscape evolution in Connemara, western Ireland with particular reference to woodland history. In: Birks, HH, Birks, HJB, Kaland, PE and Moe, D (eds.), The Cultural Landscape - Past, Present and Future.Cambridge University Press., 487-514
Coverage:
Latitude: 53.556860 * Longitude: -10.076080
Date/Time Start: 1984-09-01T00:00:00 * Date/Time End: 1984-09-01T00:00:00
Event(s):
SHE_III (Lough Sheeauns) * Latitude: 53.556860 * Longitude: -10.076080 * Date/Time: 1984-09-01T00:00:00 * Elevation: 15.0 m * Method/Device: Livingstone corer (LIVC) * Comment: The small lake, Lough Sheeauns, near Cleggan, Connemara, provides a record of woodland dynamics and human impact that spans most of the Holocene. The record is based on detailed pollen data and geochemical analyses and has a radiocarbon-derived chronology. Basin size:120 x 90 m, 0.9 ha. Estimated size/area in 1839 (1 ed. OS map): 190 x 116 m (2.2 ha). Sampled using 5 cm diameter Livingstone corer in 1 m drives from raft anchored near the centre of the lake. SHE I: 1-6 m collected; top 50 cm collected separately. Top sediment only analysed - results presented separately (3 spectra). Length of core (Holocene only) 6m (uppermost 2 m not collected). Spans from ca. AD 500 to early Holocene (short LG sequence in final drive, i.e. 5-6 m; not analysed). Organic-rich brown gyttja.
License:
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC-BY-4.0)
Size:
5 datasets
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Datasets listed in this publication series
- O'Connell, M; Molloy, K (2018): Age determination profile SHE III, Lough Sheeauns, Co. Galway. https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.896777
- O'Connell, M; Molloy, K (2018): Calender ages profile SHE III, Lough Sheeauns, Co. Galway. https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.896787
- O'Connell, M; Molloy, K (2018): Geochemistry profile SHE III, Lough Sheeauns, Co. Galway. https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.896779
- O'Connell, M; Molloy, K (2018): Pollen profile SHE III, Lough Sheeauns, Co. Galway. https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.896782
- O'Connell, M; Molloy, K (2018): Recent pollen profile SHE III, Lough Sheeauns, Co. Galway. https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.896783