Human-vegetation dynamics in Holocene south-eastern Norway based on radiocarbon dated charcoal from archaeological excavations

Charcoal from archaeological contexts differs off-site pollen samples as it is mainly a product of intentional human action. As such, analysis charcoal excavations valuable addition to studies past vegetation and the interaction between humans environment. In this paper, we use dataset consisting 6186 dated tree species 1239 sites proxy explore parts Holocene forest development human-vegetation dynamics in South-Eastern Norway. From middle Late Neolithic (from c. 2000 BC) throughout Early Iron Age (to AD 550) region’s agriculture characterized by fields, pastures fallow. Based on our data, argue that these practices, combined with management, clearly altered natural distribution trees favoured some broadleaved trees. The hazel ( Corylus avellana) an example impact vegetation. Today, not even among 15 most common species, while one prevalent record before 550. data indicate was already Mesolithic hunter-fisher-gatherers, thrived extremely well early farming landscape. Secondly, also indicates spruce Picea abies) first formed large stands south-eastern Norway 500 BC, centuries earlier than previously assumed. It argued event, further westward expansion spruce, partly consequence specific historical event – millennium BC expansion.