Modern pollen deposition and its use in interpreting the occupation history of the island Hailuoto,Finland

The early vegetation history of the island Hailuoto, Finland, was investigated by means of pollen analysis. Pollen diagrams from three shallow peat profiles close to the postulated A.D. 1150 shoreline are interpreted with reference to modern pollen rain values, features indicative of occupation, routeways and cultivation being delimited. The differing settlement histories of the western and eastern parts of the present farmed area are distinguished and explained in terms of the changing coastline and availability of cultivable land. The historical evidence for changes in forest and farming conditions since the 16th century is also compared with the pollen evidence for the same period. Emphasis is placed on methodology and the development of investigation techniques applicable in sparsely settled boreal forest situations.