Pollen profile, BHY IV: overlying stone-wall field system in Behy townland (N of Behy court tomb)

The sampling site lies ca. 20 m N of Behy court tomb where an intact area of uncut peat remains. A monolith 39 cm long was removed. Total depth of peat (adjusted for shrinkage) at sampling point (TDP) 120 cm. The pollen spectra (15 in all) start at 0 cm (i.e. 0–1 cm: mineral soil immediately beneath the peat) to -39 cm. Peat near the base (-3.5 to -9 cm) was charcoal-rich.
The age/depth model gives the following chronology: [≥2400, pre-bog development]; pollen profile: 2400 BC–AD 20, i.e. early Bronze Age to mid/late Iron Age. LOI and tephra investigations were also carried out. A distinct tephra layer at -24 cm (ca. 360 BC). The results of the tephra investigations have yet to be published. There are three 14C dates, two of which are from near the base and so the lower part is chronologically is well constrained. The age/depth curve is a smooth spline curve (smooth factor = 0.1) that is based on the three available 14C dates. This is the age/depth model used in the EGQSJ publication (in press, 2019). A 'pine flush' is not recorded. Sharp Betula to Poaceae switch near base. Above that high P. lanceolata coinciding with charcoal-rich peat. These investigations relating to Céide Fields were carried out in PRU, NUIG, part-funded by The Heritage Council (of Ireland). The aim was to provide an environmental context for the establishment and use of the prehistoric stone-wall field system, and an overall chronological framework and an environmental history of the area.