The Flandrian vegetational and archaeological history
of the Ingleborough Massif was investigated using pollen
and macrofossil analysis of peat deposits in conjunction
with radiocarbon dating.
A transect was taken across the massif, running northwest
to south-east, and peat deposits were sampled at
intervals, as close to the transect as possible. This was
to give a range of altitude and peat types, as well as
sites both near to and far from limestone and known
archaeological remains.
Pollen influx (produced by means of an exotic marker
grain method) and percentage pollen diagrams were produced
for five peat profiles while percentage diagrams only were
produced for a further six.
The earliest peat formed in the Arks corrie
c. 9240 t 100 BP and revealed an open countryside with
some birch and juniper bushes. Corylus migrated into the
area and formed a major component the vegetation near
the Arks C. 8730 - 80 BP. After the arrival of Quercus
and Ulmus trees, Alnus appeared in the area c. 80 BP
but did not reach high numbers until 6400 ± 70 BP.
Some evidence of possible early Mesolithic activity
during this period was found. Small-scale and short-lived
clearance of the mixed-oak woodland began c. 5700 BP, due
to the activities of either Late Mesolithic or Early
Neolithic peoples. A distinctive and long-term clearance
phase (lasting c. 500-700 years) took place in the Early
Neolithic Period, characterised by high percentages of
Rumex acetosa/acetosella type pollen with smaller percentages of other ruderal pollen types and occasional cereal grains. The evidence points to both pastoral and arable farming being practised on the well-drained Carboniferous Limestone soils.
After a short tree recovery, widespread clearance was
renewed on the massif in the Early Bronze Age, with Plantago
lanceolata and Pteridium the most abundant indicator grains.
Extensive areas of the massif were covered by spreading
blanket bog in this period.
All peat profiles have been truncated, three end with
the Late Bronze Age; the others continue until the Iron
Age on end of the Romano-British Period, at which time the
massif was almost cleared of woodland. Regrowth occurred
at the beginning of the Norman Period, at least at one
site. Severe erosion has taken place over the whole of
the massif. There is evidence at the Arks site of a "bogburst" or "gill-brack" having taken place.