The Influence of Prehistoric Cultures upon the Initiation and Spread of Blanket Bog in Upland Wales

Abstract

THE shallow blanket peats of northern and western parts of the British Isles have received relatively little attention from palynologists. Conway's early work¹ on the Pennines was mainly concerned with deep peats accumulating in high altitude basins and plateaux (for example Ringinglow) which began forming during the Atlantic period. Pollen diagrams of shallower peats on sloping ground from a variety of areas (such as the Pennines², the Lake District³ and Central Wales^4,5) suggest their formation began at a rather later date, often about the time of the elm decline.