Archaeological and environmental investigations of a Lateglacial and Holocene river sedimentary sequence on the River Soar at Croft, Leicestershire, UK

Abstract

The sediments, stratigraphy and archaeology of several sections through Lateglacial and Holocene deposits associated with the past course of the Thurlston Brook at Croft, Leicestershire, UK are outlined. The results of pollen, plant macrofossil and insect analyses from these deposits are presented and this information is used to provide a detailed reconstruction of changing river conditions and human land use at this location during the Holocene. Despite the presence of hiatuses in the record seen at Croft, and other sites of this scale, with accurate work and clear dating controls it is possible to 'stitch' together continuous detailed sequences. The general pattern of Holocene landscape and fluvial change appears to echo that seen in the Trent valley region and nationally. It is suggested that small headwater catchments such as at Croft have the potential to provide detailed and sensitive records of Holocene events comparable with those from 'standard' sediment sequences.