Icelandic volcanic ash from the Late-glacial open-air archaeological site of Ahrenshöft LA 58 D, North Germany

• Published in: Journal of archaeological science 2012-03, Vol.39 (3), p.708-716
• Main Authors: Housley, R.A., Lane, C.S., Cullen, V.L., Weber, M.-J., Riede, F., Gamble, C.S., Brock, F.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: AF555 tephra; Early Holocene; Environmental studies; Europe; Late-glacial; Methodology and general studies; North West Europe; Prehistory and protohistory; Radiocarbon dating; Suduroy tephra; Taphonomy; Tephrochronology; Vedde Ash
• ISSN: 0305-4403; 1095-9238
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jas.2011.11.003

Cryptotephra of Icelandic origin from the open-air archaeological site of Ahrenshöft LA 58 D (Kr. Nordfriesland, Schleswig-Holstein), northern Germany overlies a Late-glacial Havelte lithic assemblage, hitherto dated by 14C and biostratigraphy to the earliest part of the Late-glacial interstadial (GI-1e to GI-1c3). Peaks in ash shards are observed in two profiles. Major and minor element geochemistry indicates volcanic ash originating in the Katla system. Precise correlation to previously described tephra is uncertain due to overlapping chemical characteristics. The Ahrenshöft 14C determinations, litho- and bio-stratigraphy encompass a broad age-span for the cryptotephra bearing sediments, from the end of the Allerød to the Preboreal. The most plausible volcanic eruption correlates are the Vedde Ash (∼Younger Dryas), already known from the European mainland, tephra AF555 (late Younger Dryas) and the Suduroy tephra (∼Preboreal/Boreal), hitherto recorded only in the North Atlantic region. These three ash horizons have been dated to, respectively, 12,171 ± 57 yr b2k in the NGRIP ice-core, c.11,500 cal BP, in Scotland and c.8000 cal BP, by radiocarbon from the Faroe Isles. Ongoing research on deposits from the type sites for the tephra layers may in the future differentiate these markers leading to better discrimination of the chemistries and a resolution of this question. ► Analyse tephrostratigraphy of a Late-glacial open-air archaeological site in north Germany. ► Site taphonomy revealed as crucial factor in cryptotephra preservation. ► Geochemistry indicates one Icelandic rhyolitic eruption from Katla. ► Three potential correlates identified – Vedde Ash or AF555 tephra or Suduroy tephra.