The Palaeoenvironment and the Vegetation History of a Later Prehistoric Field System at Stoke Flat on the Gritstone Uplands of the Peak District

• Published in: Journal of archaeological science 1998-06, Vol.25 (6), p.505-519
• Main Authors: Long, Deborah J., Chambers, F.M., Barnatt, John
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bronze Age; Europe; LATER PREHISTORIC FIELD SYSTEMS; Metal Ages; North West Europe; PEAK DISTRICT; POLLEN ANALYSIS; Prehistory and protohistory; VEGETATION HISTORY
• ISSN: 0305-4403; 1095-9238
• DOI: 10.1006/jasc.1997.0209

The reconstruction of the local palaeoenvironment of a site at Stoke Flat on the East Moors of the Peak District has been achieved through palynological and sedimentological analyses of sediment deposits within and adjacent to a later prehistoric field system. The site at Stoke Flat is situated on a high gritstone shelf, between the gritstone upland of the East Moors and the Derwent valley below. A small peat deposit, adjacent to one of the field systems here, has provided a palynological record of vegetation change, dating back to approximately 4000 yearsBP. Samples for pollen analysis were also taken from a field boundary within the field system. Together, these samples have been used to identify both vegetation change around the field system and the influence of human activity associated with these remains on the local vegetation history. A key aim of this study was to add to the existing archaeological interpretations of the field system at Stoke Flat with particular reference to its date, function and longevity of use. Implications for the interpretation of field systems elsewhere in the British uplands are discussed.