• about us
• main Chichester Harbour website

Search Site:

IN THIS SECTION

Places

Looking back in time

Finding the Evidence

• Archaeolological methods
• Taking a core
• Exploring a core
• Changing coastline
• Marine Charts

Virtual Field Trips

Panoramic Views

Image Gallery

RELATED LINKS

• Habitats
• Coastal Processes
• Maps

Finding the Evidence

Select a section of the Thorney core from the diagram below. You will then see information relating to this part of the core sample. Click on the Evidence links to view specific evidence core timelines.

Exploring a Core: 5.6m

	Summary of evidence Radiocarbon Dating Age: 8600 Before present What era: Mesolithic Sample from: 5.6m     Sediments Firm dark brown fibrous peat. Spongey. Frequent reed-like inclusions  Pollen Pine and charcoal  Foraminifera &            Ostracods Peat so no ostracods  Diatoms No freshwater diatoms found in peat – suggests formed in a drier conditions on edge of intertidal mudflats  Molluscs N/A
	Putting the evidence together This picture is not from Chichester Harbour but shows the type of environment here 8,600 years ago including pine trees and gravel streams which left pockets of peat.

---

Environment shown in core:	Abandoned river channel where peat developed
Land nearby:	Pine forest
Comment:	Great contrasts in local environments with dense pine forests which may have caught fire naturally - hence the charcoal in the pollen

Core Depth 0-0.8m      0.8-1.5m     1.5-2.5m      2.5-3.5m     3.5-5.5m      5.5m     5.6m      5.8m       5.8-7m

---