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Peat from the Rushwood Estate, Nosterfield, North Yorkshire
The Site
Soils of the Rushwood estate near Nosterfield, North Yorkshire have been described by Bradley (1987) and relevant series are reproduced at the end of this report. Most of the area is underlain by fluvio-glacial sand and gravel with small areas of peaty and/or very calcareous layers in the north-east and limestone in the northwest.
Part of the site is currently being used for sand and gravel extraction.
Objectives
To examine the present condition of the surviving peat and to evaluate its potential for palaeoenvironmental and archaeological information.
Sample Location SE 286 808
The site was examined on 15 October 1991. Weather conditions were dry, mild and overcast with little wind. The area sampled is undisturbed land grazed by sheep. The soil is assigned to the Colthrop series. To the north-west and northeast are raised areas of land (Ellerbeck series) whilst to the south a fence separates a water-filled sand and gravel quarry.
Methods
Turf was removed from an area 1m x 0.78m and a pit dug to a depth of 1.23m. All descriptions and samples were taken from the north-facing section. A one metre monolith was extracted using two 380mm formers. The bottom 240mm section was cut by hand. All samples were wrapped in heavy duty polythene and are retained in the West Yorkshire Archaeology Service laboratory cold store.
Results
The soil horizons of the section sampled are shown in Figure 1. Beneath the shallow turf line the loose stoneless silt loam contained slight iron staining and abundant molluscs. This horizon was uncompacted and collapsed easily. Below this some 780mm of calcareous peat was uncovered. In section the peat was dark brown/black, well-humified and structureless - with the exception of a 30mm band of lighter-brown, coarser peat at a depth of 680mm. The peat was wet throughout its profile but not waterlogged.
Field examination of peat extracted during excavation of the test pit revealed the highly compressed remains of reeds/rushes and also numerous insect remains throughout the profile. Ancient roots were also observed but no remains of wood.
The peat ended sharply above a white, mottled calcareous silt/marl. The bottom of this layer was not apparent at 1.23m and further extraction to establish its depth was not undertaken.
Figure 1. Peat monolith from test pit, SE286808
Conclusions
The Nosterfield peat is a phragmites peat, sometimes called reedswamp or fen peat. It represents the edge of an ancient lake and its formation may date to the early Flandrian period. This deposit is of considerable importance for the following reasons:
- the sample has shown the depth of peat to be far greater than that suggested by the 1987 soil survey of the area,
- calcareous peats are rare and this example offers excellent potential for reconstructing and understanding the vegetational history of the area from environmental analyses, in particular, molluscs, insects, and possibly pollen.
- similar peat deposits have proved to be archaeologically significant, e.g. Star Carr, Somerset levels, and the Fens of Eastern England.
Recommendations
Preservation of the peat in the sample area is threatened by the nearby extraction of sand and gravel and the subsequent lowering of the water table. A survey of the area should be undertaken to establish the extent and depth of the peat. A detailed analysis of the pollen and macrofossils contained within the peat should be carried out. Insect analysis may also be warranted as would an evaluation of the calcareous marl for molluscan remains. These analyses would provide not only evidence of environmental conditions, but may also throw light on whether the peat deposit is wholly natural or has been influenced by archaeological events.
Additional Information
During a brief surface examination of the area a 3m diameter depression was noted approximately 6m south-east of the test pit. On the edge of this depression a group of five flints were observed on the soil surface, one of which was partially buried. The largest flint measures 100mm x 95mm and weighs 167g, the smallest is 52mm x 35mm and weighs 18.6g. Three of the flints bear retouch or percussion scars and are clearly artefacts, possibly dating to the Mesolithic period. Flint does not occur naturally in this area.
D.S.Berg
West Yorkshire Archaeology Service
17 October 1991
References
Bradley, R.I. 1987. Soil Survey and Agricultural Land Classification. Rushwood Estate, Nosterfield, North Yorkshire, Soil Survey and Land Research Centre.
Soil Series
Colthrop series
000-300 mm Very dark brown, stoneless humose sandy silt loam; slightly calcareous.
300-450 mm Black, humified, stoneless peat.
450-700 mm White, slightly mottled, stoneless sandy silt loam; extremely calcareous.
700-1000 mm Brown, slightly or moderately stony, slightly mottled loamy sand; slightly calcareous.
Ellerbeck series
000-200 mm Dark greyish brown, moderately stony sandy loam or clay loam.
200-600 mm Dark yellowish brown, very stony sandy loam or clay loam.
600-1000 mm Yellowish brown, extremely stony sandy loam: gravel.