The contribution of geoarchaeology to understanding the environmental history and archaeological resources of the Trent Valley, U.K.

Abstract

This paper provides a review of the contribution that geoarchaeological research has played in elucidating the landscape history of the Trent Valley, U.K. Ameliorating climate in the immediate postglacial led to the expansion of mixed deciduous woodland across the valley floor and the development of an anastomosing channel. In the Lower Trent, fluvial and vegetation development may have been influenced by sea-level change. Around 4000 B.C., the character of the valley floor changed, demonstrated by the dating of tree trunks interbedded within gravel deposits. Synchronicity of changing geomorphological and hydrological processes is suggested, and, while the causal mechanism of this change are not fully understood, tree trunks which were clearly felled have been identified in the valley and provide significant evidence. The later prehistoric and historic archaeological remains, including fishweirs, bridges, and mill dams, point to increasing human activity, and environmental evidence documents the increasing effects of agriculture on the catchment.

Reconstructing riverine paleo-flow regimes using subfossil insects (Coleoptera and Trichoptera): the application of the LIFE methodology to paleochannel sediments

“…The River Trent has been the focus for several sedimentological (Brown et al 1994, Brown et al 2001, Howard 2005 archaeological (Salisbury 1992, Howard et al 2007) and paleoecological (Greenwood et al 2003 investigations. The River Trent has a catchment area of 7486 km 2 , a length of approximately 149 km and is one of the UK's most active rivers.…”

“…Floodplains and the sedimentary archive they contain constitute important repositories for paleolimnological, environmental and archaeological research (Brown 1996;Howard 2005). The sedimentary sequences present include those in abandoned channels and cut off water bodies (Brown et al 2001;Lewin et al 2005).…”

Lateglacial and Holocene fluvial dynamics in the Lower Scheldt basin (N-Belgium) and their impact on the presence, detection and preservation potential of the archaeological record

“…The attractiveness of these riverine environments for human occupation and the dominance of floodplain aggradation processes resulted in a rich geo-archaeological archive (Brown, 1997;Howard, 2005), often showing excellent preservation conditions due to high groundwater tables.…”

Wood as a driver of past landscape change along river corridors

“…Howard (2005) concludes that the size of the trees, the preservation of intact root boles and supporting palynological and entomological evidence suggests that the river was lined by a dense floodplain woodland that supplied downed trees to the river during floods. However, Howard (2005) also notes that the sedimentary sequences within the valley fill suggest the existence of multi channelled river systems from the early Holocene with dynamic braided systems being progressively replaced by more stable, lower energy, anastomosed channels.…”

“…Howard (2005) concludes that the size of the trees, the preservation of intact root boles and supporting palynological and entomological evidence suggests that the river was lined by a dense floodplain woodland that supplied downed trees to the river during floods. However, Howard (2005) also notes that the sedimentary sequences within the valley fill suggest the existence of multi channelled river systems from the early Holocene with dynamic braided systems being progressively replaced by more stable, lower energy, anastomosed channels. Palynological records from peat-filled palaeochannels demonstrate the existence of willow and poplar along the riverbank, succeeding to deciduous hardwoods with oak, lime (Tilia) and elm (Ulmus) on the floodplain, following the general model for temperate rivers (Pautou and Decamps, 1985), and indicating that associated processes (e.g.…”