Confusing concepts in Lateglacial stratigraphy and geochronology: origin, consequences, conclusions (with special emphasis on the type locality Bøllingsø)

Abstract

A great confusion currently exists on the stratigraphic and geochronologic subdivision of the Weichselian Lateglacial. This paper unravels the development of this confusion, which is interpreted to be mainly due to a combination of wrongly used stratigraphical concepts, incorrect interpretations, and erroneous correlation between various sites and records. Special emphasis is laid on the palynological methods of Johs. Iversen and on the type locality Bøllingsø, from which the original (partly previously unpublished) data are presented and evaluated. It is concluded that almost all stratigraphic schemes and terms have lost their original value.