Introducing a Research Framework for the Archaeology of Wales

 

 

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THE PALAEOENVIRONMENT IN WALES

The interaction between people and the environment has been critical in all periods, and this is brought into sharp focus by the modern challenges of climate change. Our knowledge of climate and vegetation from pollen, bone, seeds or invertebrate remains varies considerably, and it is essential to take every opportunity to collect such material, for example from waterlogged deposits and archaeological investigations undertaken through the planning process. Environmental evidence has the potential to address key questions.

The following are extracts/summaries of the key priorities identified for the period. For the full text, click on the All Wales Final Document link below.

 

  • How were the environment and economic activity related during the Mesolithic, especially in the coastal zone?
  • Did Neolithic populations become more sedentary with the development of agriculture?
  • How did practices in animal and plant husbandry change?
  • In what periods is it possible to recognize seasonal exploitation or transhumance?

No regional seminar papers were produced in 2003 for this theme. Instead a pan-Wales paper was presented at the regional seminars.

 

The following documents are available to view and download in Adobe Acrobat format.

If you do not have Acrobat installed on your computer, you can download it for free from www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html

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All Wales Final Document
All Wales Bibliography


 

Mesolithic footprints found during fieldwork in the Severn Estuary. ©National Museum of Wales

Mesolithic footprints found during fieldwork in the Severn Estuary.
©National Museum of Wales

 

 

 

Pollen sampling at Fan Foel Bronze Age burial mound on The Carmarthenshire Vans, Carmarthenshire, to determine the environmental context of the monument. ©Dyfed Archaeological Trust

Pollen sampling at Fan Foel Bronze Age burial mound on The Carmarthenshire Vans, Carmarthenshire, to determine the environmental context of the monument.
©Dyfed Archaeological Trust