Continuity or discontinuity? Vegetation change in the Hadrianic–Antonine frontier zone of northern Britain at the end of the Roman occupation

Abstract

Summary Aim The aim of this paper is to determine the nature of vegetation change in the Hadrianic‐Antonine frontier zone of northern Britain at the end of the Roman occupation. The concepts of continuity and change are important issues in palynological and archaeological studies and it has been assumed traditionally that large‐scale woodland regeneration occurred in the area at the end of the Romano‐British period. Location Hadrianic–Antonine frontier zone of northern Britain. Methods Pollen analysis of peat profiles, radiocarbon dating Results and main conclusions The pollen diagrams suggest that woodland regeneration occurred around the time of the withdrawal of Roman troops at Fozy Moss, Northumbria; Glasson Moss, Cumbria; Bolton Fell Moss (marg), Cumbria; Letham Moss, Stirlingshire; Cranley Moss, Lanarkshire; Carsegowan Moss, Wigtonshire and Dogden Moss, Berwickshire. Regeneration started at Blairbech Bog, Dumbartonshire and Ellergower Moss, Dumfriesshire before the Roman occupation began. The landscape around Walton Moss, Cumbria remained open later and regeneration of woodland did not take place until the latter half of the sixth century AD. Woodland regeneration at each of the sites was also associated with a decline in agricultural production, and renewed clearance did not occur until Anglian, monastic or Scandinavian settlement took place.