Finding the Evidence

Pollen Evidence

Pollen grains are very small - just a pinch of pollen powder can contains thousands and thousands of grains. Using a microscope you can see that pollen grains are different shapes and sizes and scientists can identify which plant species they come from.

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0 - 0.8m      
0.8m to 1.5m  

Open grassland seeds, common sorrel and cereal plants.

 Grass pollen grain
Grass pollen grain
1.5m to 2.5m   Mostly open saltmarsh or low woodland sedge, shrubs, herbs,low alder  
2.5m to 3.5m  

Changing oak mixed woodland (no lime) with charcoal as evidence of clearance by fire

 Oak pollen grain
Oak pollen grain
3.5m to 5.5m  

Mixed oak woodland with alder, lime and elm. Some saltmarsh and wetland seeds

 Birch pollen grain
Birch pollen grain
5.5m   Low count of pollen but some alder, lime and elm. Sparse  
5.6m  

Pine and charcoal

 Pine pollen grain
Pine pollen grain
5.8m   Low amounts of pollen. Indicates mostly open and grassy  
5.8m to
7m		      
 
 



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