New integrated molecular approaches for investigating lake settlements in north-western Europe

Lake setdements, particularly crannogs, pose several contradictions--visible yet inaccessible, widespread yet geographically restricted, persistent yet vulnerable. To further our understanding, we developed the integrated use of palaeolimnological (scanning XRF, pollen, spores, diatoms, chironomids, Cladocera, microcharcoal, biogenic silica, SEM-EDS, stable-isotopes) and biomolecular (faecal stanols, bile acids, sedaDNA) analyses of crannog cores in south-west Scotland and Ireland. Both can be effective methods sets for revealing occupation chronologies and identifying on-crannog activities and practices. Strong results from sedaDNA and lipid biomarker analyses demonstrate probable on-site animal slaughter, food storage and possible feasting, suggesting multi-period, elite site associations, and the storage and protection of valuable resources. Keywords: Ireland, Scotland, lake settlements, molecular archaeology, sedaDNA, lipid biomarkers, crannogs
Introduction The application of molecular analyses alongside traditional environmental techniques has huge potential for the examination of archaeological sites with either on-site or off-site proximal (e.g. under 10m) sedimentary records. [...]