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Multi-proxy investigations at 2 Pier Road, North Woolwich, London, UK, have revealed deposits spanning the Middle-Late Holocene from the late Mesolithic (c. 4360 cal BC) onwards. Pollen data show an Elm Decline at c. 4210–3950 cal BC followed by landnám clearances at c. 4210–3910 cal BC and c. 3710–3030 cal BC and the first appearance of cereal at c. 3540–3030 cal BC. These events are potentially contemporary with the construction of nearby Neolithic trackways, providing indirect evidence for agriculture and settlement. REVEALS modelling shows the first significant reduction in woodland cover is coincident with the Neolithic Elm decline, but the main step-change to open conditions occurred in the Early Bronze Age, following a decline in lime at c. 2110–1630 cal BC. Palaeo-topographic modelling of the region shows that although the trend towards increasing openness coincides with gradual wetland expansion, the shift to open vegetation cover cannot be explained by this and is probably the result of human activity. This study highlights the value of combining deposit and vegetation cover modelling to contextualise wetland archaeology and shows that together these provide useful proxies for landscape-scale human activity that can identify ephemeral signals of prehistoric activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iona is renowned for its early monastery, founded following the arrival of Columba in AD 563. This paper uses palaeoecological data to provide insight into the social and environmental transformations that influenced the landscape of Iona during the later prehistoric and historic periods. The identification of cereal pollen suggests that arable farming occurred during the Bronze Age and possibly continued through the Iron Age. Pastoral farming was also practiced. It remains unclear as to whether there were people living on the island at the time of the monastic community's arrival. Between AD 630 and 1100, woodland clearance and farming occurred. There were also two phases of woodland regeneration and agricultural decline. The first phase coincides with the period of Viking raids and may have witnessed a decline in population. The second phase occurred in conjunction with increased Scandinavian influence and political restructuring across the wider region; however, small-scale farming continued. After c. AD 1000 there was renewed intensification of landscape management prior to the arrival of Benedictine monks and Augustinian nuns (c. AD 1200). This may be linked to climatic amelioration during the Medieval Warm Period and economic growth in the Hebrides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article describes the development of a parcel of land now occupied by 84--90b Fulham High Street. During the Holocene this portion of the Thames floodplain was criss-crossed by a series of palaeochannels; it appears that by the Roman or early medieval period a natural stream channel flowed across the site from the north-west to south-east and then southwards into the nearby Thames. Meanwhile across the rest of the site there was a build-up of alluvium. By the late 13th century a portion of the moat which encircled Fulham Palace intersected with the stream channel. From the 16th century onward the water level at the intersection of these two watercourses was managed by a series of timber structures interpreted as sluices or weirs, which contained numerous reused river barge timbers. By the post-medieval period the course of the stream channel was migrating eastwards and, as a result, by the 18th century it flowed entirely outside the site, so its former course was reclaimed and developed. By this date the moat was being lined with brickwork and infilled with rubbish. Structural remains from the 18th century included a substantial masonry wall and two buildings. It appears that during the late 18th century this portion of the moat was realigned and subsequently during the early 19th century the redundant portion of the moat was infilled and various buildings were erected along the street frontage. These buildings were served by a series of brick-built culverts, drains and sewers. A significant assemblage of post-medieval finds was recovered from the uppermost fills of the moat, the stream channel and various other features including a cesspit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]