Resolving the late Pleistocene (MIS3–1) sedimentary sequence from Doniford, UK: Implications for British-Irish ice sheet extent, megafaunal history and hominin occupation

Basell, L.S., Toms, P.S. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2149-046X, Norman, C., Hosfield, R.T., Tanner, P., Wood, Jamie ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0923-5511 and Brown, A.G. (2025) Resolving the late Pleistocene (MIS3–1) sedimentary sequence from Doniford, UK: Implications for British-Irish ice sheet extent, megafaunal history and hominin occupation. Quaternary Science Reviews, 368. art-109509. doi:10.1016/j.quascirev.2025.109509 (In Press)

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Text 15246 Basell, L.S. et al. (2025) Resolving the late Pleistocene (MIS3–1) sedimentary sequence from Doniford, UK.pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution 4.0. Download (26MB) | Preview

Abstract

We present a new Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) chronology, detailed sedimentological evidence, new palynological data and a new Palaeolithic artefact from a classic site known for over 100 years. The fluvioperiglacial sedimentary sequence and chronology irrevocably indicates that the BIIS did not reach the north shore of the SW peninsular of the British Isles in MIS 3–2. Both the sedimentology and palynology suggests cool–cold steppic conditions rather than polar desert. The discovery during this project of a new unrolled bout coup´e biface is significant since it adds another westerly example of this characteristic Middle Palaeolithic form associated with Neanderthals, that is relatively common in Britain (compared to Europe). The chronology and sedimentology also confirm the likely reworking of the cold fauna and Acheulian artefacts from regional floodplains prior to MIS 3. The site highlights the archaeological potential of actively eroding cliffs for expanding knowledge of hominin occupations of south–western Britain, near to an ‘edge’ of the Middle Palaeolithic world.

Item Type:	Article
Article Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	British–Irish ice sheet (BIIS); Fluvio–periglacial deposits; Mammoth; Neanderthal; Bristol channel; Bout coup´e biface; Creswellian; Weichselian; Devensian; Steppe
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GB Physical geography G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GF Human geography. Human ecology. Anthropogeography Q Science > QE Geology
Divisions:	Schools and Research Institutes > School of Education, Health and Sciences
Depositing User:	Phillip Toms
Date Deposited:	20 Aug 2025 13:44
Last Modified:	26 Aug 2025 10:45
URI:	https://eprints.glos.ac.uk/id/eprint/15246

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