Pollen analysis and radiocarbon dating of a peat on Slieve Gallion, Co. Tyrone, N. Ireland

SUMMARY A radiocarbon dated pollen diagram is presented from 430 m altitude on Slieve Gallion, Co. Tyrone, N. Ireland. Deposits of reedswamp peat overlain by blanket peat cover the period c. 8000 B.C.* to the present. Total tree‐pollen remains mostly below 60% of total pollen throughout the Post‐glacial indicating more open conditions than are found in the lowlands. Lack of herb pollen suggests areas of bare rock on the mountain top before c. 7650 B.C. The early Post‐glacial juniper period is estimated to have lasted 300–400 years. Hazel expands rapidly at c. 7050 B.C. and oak and elm appear at c. 6800 B.C. Elm expands some 800 years before the oak. The arrival of alder is dated to c. 5000 B.C. and its expansion to about 4250 B.C. An elm decline is shown dating from just after 3000 B.C. and a decline of pine pollen at c. 2000 B.C. in common with other sites in this area.