New integrated molecular approaches for investigating lake settlements in north-western Europe

Lake settlements, particularly crannogs, pose several contradictions—visible yet inaccessible, widespread geographically restricted, persistent vulnerable. To further our understanding, we developed the integrated use of palaeolimnological (scanning XRF, pollen, spores, diatoms, chironomids, Cladocera, microcharcoal, biogenic silica, SEM-EDS, stable-isotopes) and biomolecular (faecal stanols, bile acids, sedaDNA) analyses crannog cores in south-west Scotland Ireland. Both can be effective methods sets for revealing occupation chronologies identifying on-crannog activities practices. Strong results from sedaDNA lipid biomarker demonstrate probable on-site animal slaughter, food storage possible feasting, suggesting multi-period, elite site associations, protection valuable resources.