Recording and Reconstruction of Wood Macrofossils in Three-Dimensions

Building on an upsurge of interest in European wetland archaeology, which has led to methodological advances in field techniques, a new palaeoecological technique is outlined to enable reconstruction of wood macrofossils in their original in situ positions within a peat deposit. Such three-dimensional reconstruction provides data on the temporal sequence and succession of mire woodland phases; these can be related to the fossil pollen record and to evidence of past human impact. Chronology building using tree ring-width series, is facilitated, and may assist in dating site records. The technique has wider application at sites where subfossiliferous peat is underlain by sand substrates, aiding palaeoenvironmental reconstruction and interpretation of the cultural landscape.