Palynological data from Loch an t’Suidhe, Isle of Mull, Scotland

Introduction

Pollen and non-pollen palynomorph data from the Isle of Mull, Inner Hebrides, Scotland are presented from the site of Loch an t’Suidhe, a small lake on the Ross of Mull peninsula. The aim was to determine the palaeoecological record associated with early to mid-Holocene environmental change.

Methods

A core was extracted from the infilled peaty margins at the southern end of the loch with an 8 cm diameter Russian-type corer. Pollen, spore, non-pollen palynomorph, microscopic charcoal and loss-on-ignition data derive from the basal part of the core. Six radiocarbon dates contribute to core chronology. Dates are calibrated using the IntCal20 calibration curve with age-depth modelling via Clam software. Palynomorph data are produced using Tilia and TGView software.

Results

The profile covers the Holocene period from an estimated 10890–5470 calendar years BP.

Discussion

The data enable comparisons to be made with undated palynological profiles already available from the Isle of Mull, enhancing opportunities to explain early to mid-Holocene environmental change – which would cover the Mesolithic and early Neolithic archaeological periods – in the Inner Hebrides and beyond.