Százhalombatta-Földvár is one of the biggest and most extensively studied Bronze Age tell sites in Hungary. Due to its location on a dry loessy high bluff zone on the Western bank of the river...Show moreSzázhalombatta-Földvár is one of the biggest and most extensively studied Bronze Age tell sites in Hungary. Due to its location on a dry loessy high bluff zone on the Western bank of the river Danube, a sedimentary environment that is appropriate for pollen preservation to conduct pollen analysis was not found around the site (Sumegi & Bodor, 2000). Instead, regional pollen analysis has been conducted to study the environment relating to the Százhalombatta-Földvár site. This regional sediment sample was obtained by coring from an oxbow lake about 500 m away from the site. During the Százhalombatta-Földvár excavation in 2022, however, the lithological examination of the floor sediment from [House] 9000 indicated the possibility for pollen preservation, followed by palynological investigation including the comparison to the regional pollen record. This unconventional method of pollen analysis was successfully conducted, yielding a well-preserved pollen assemblage. The methods of pollen analysis applied are pollen counts, taxonomic identification and states of preservation analysis. These methods indicate that the well-preserved pollen assemblage obtained from the unconventional context does not reflect the pollen assemblage from the oxbow lake pollen record. Especially the absence of arboreal pollen at the site compared to that recorded in the regional pollen data is conspicuous. These results allow us to discuss and investigate the sample from [House] 9000. Specifically, in the sample, taphonomic agents contributing to the absence of arboreal pollen in contrast with the regional palynological signal are analysed and the predominance of Poaceae is explained with taphonomic processes. Furthermore, the taphonomic agents causing the primary pollen preservation states are investigated and the taphonomic processes resulting in the preservation biases are explored in archaeological interpretation. In consequence, the investigation of the taphonomic processes suggests anthropogenic agents causing the discrepancy and bias in the pollen assemblage with the construction and materials used for [House] 9000. The pollen preservation state analysis revealed that the primary states of pollen preservation are degraded and folded. These in turn are evidence of the taphonomic processes of oxidisation and physical stress, which in combination with archaeological evidence suggests anthropogenic activities as cause. To conclude, this thesis could contribute to multi-disciplinary research and greater understanding of the Bronze Age site, Százhalombatta-Földvár. Moreover, it demonstrates new potential of palynological analysis employing an innovative sampling method that directly relates to the human activities at the site. The results of this thesis have the potential to stimulate further application of this new approach.Show less
Barnham, East Anglia, is a well-studied Pleistocene site and contains stratigraphic sequences which contain well-preserved fossils and evidence of hominid presence. Barnham is archaeological...Show moreBarnham, East Anglia, is a well-studied Pleistocene site and contains stratigraphic sequences which contain well-preserved fossils and evidence of hominid presence. Barnham is archaeological relevant while different early industries are situated in the same stratigraphic positions. This thesis is conducted to contribute to the understanding of hominid occupation in Lower Palaeolithic Barnham. This understanding is created by a research of pollen grains. 8 slides with sediment from a profile section of Barnham were analysed. In total 18 pollen grains and four exotic marker spores were identified, including pollen of Alnus sp., Corylus/Myrica sp. and Plantago sp.. This obtained data are not representative (at least 300 pollen grains must be counted for a representative research) and valuable to contribute to the whole understanding of hominid occupation in this area. The data can however contribute to the understanding of degradation, taphonomic processes and the understanding of bias in pollen assemblages. There are many processes that may have influenced the data that are generated in this research, among other things the selective transport of fossils and differential destruction, in which only the more robust specimens survive, must be taken in to account. In the soil, degradation takes place through different factors, e.g. by microbiological activity, by chemical oxidation, by mechanical powers or by changing temperatures. This research contributes to the awareness of the processes that are associated with the maintenance of pollen. Although the data in this research are limited, the pollen grains identified in this research still contribute to the understanding of former vegetation or landscape. Other proxies and different researches fields of past climate must be interlinked with pollen research, to create a better understanding of past vegetation and landscape in this particular area, and the understanding of climatic changes worldwide.Show less
