Neolithic and Bronze Age Landscapes of North Mayo: Report 2011
Neolithic and Bronze Age Landscapes of North Mayo: Report 2011
Neolithic and Bronze Age Landscapes of North Mayo: Report 2011
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Soils <strong>and</strong> Geology<br />
Graeme Warren<br />
This chapter reviews the soils, geology <strong>and</strong> geomorphological background to the area. It is essentially<br />
complete, but may have some further figures – plates giving views <strong>of</strong> the l<strong>and</strong>scapes - added<br />
This chapter outlines the geology, geomorphology <strong>and</strong> soils <strong>of</strong> the region from Annagh Head in the<br />
west to Killala Bay in the east. On first encounter, this <strong>North</strong> <strong>Mayo</strong> region is a strikingly beautiful, if<br />
sometimes stark, l<strong>and</strong>scape seemingly dominated by bog. Whilst the presence <strong>of</strong> such extensive<br />
blanket bog deposits is central to underst<strong>and</strong>ing both the archaeology <strong>of</strong> the region <strong>and</strong> its modern<br />
settlement patterns, a deeper underst<strong>and</strong>ing <strong>of</strong> soils, geology <strong>and</strong> geomorphology reveals surprising<br />
complexities. Figure 1 shows the location <strong>of</strong> the case study area, <strong>and</strong> Figure 2 includes some key<br />
l<strong>and</strong>scape features.<br />
Geology<br />
Figure 1: location <strong>of</strong> case study area<br />
The geology <strong>of</strong> this area is complex, but can be simplified into four main components (Sleeman 1992,<br />
Stone 1991) which tell a story <strong>of</strong> changing sea levels <strong>and</strong> major geological changes. The rocks<br />
generally become younger as we move east along the study area (Figure 3).<br />
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