SDO18117 - Soil Report on the Upper Palaeolithic and Early Mesolithic sites and the Late Glacial and Flandrian soil formation at Hengistbury Head

This soil report details the examination of Late glacial and Holocene soil through ten thin sections and analysis of grain size, iron, aluminium, carbon and nitrogen. These studies were carried out to influence the evidence of; Upper Palaeolithic and Early Mesolithic flint scatters and later prehistoric activities. The presence of intact freeze/thaw microfabrics probably relate to the conditions during the Late Devesian Interstadial, suggesting the Upper Paleolithic flints were similarly little disturbed possibly because they were protected by locally blown sand. The Early Mesolithic flints at Warren Hill occur in very well sorted sands containing over 50% very fine sand indicate the windblown origins. The flint finds were also influenced by local aeolian activity and from pollen evidence it can be seen that the oak woodland was preceded by argillic brown soil. After the oak woodland was cleared, the pollen evidence shows Calluna permanently invaded. This study is supported by 19 colour plates.