Icelandic volcanic ash from the Late-glacial open-air archaeological site of Ahrenshöft LA 58 D, North Germany

• DOI: 10.1016/j.jas.2011.11.003
• Publication Date: 2011-11-10T08:51:25Z
• Authors: R.A. Housley; C.S. Lane; V.L. Cullen; M.-J. Weber; F. Riede; C.S. Gamble; F. Brock
• Keywords: Preboreal; Volcanic ash; Tephrochronology; Stadial; Volcanic glass

Cryptotephra of Icelandic origin from the open-air archaeological site Ahrenshöft LA 58 D (Kr. Nordfriesland, Schleswig-Holstein), northern Germany overlies a Late-glacial Havelte lithic assemblage, hitherto dated by 14C and biostratigraphy to earliest part interstadial (GI-1e GI-1c3). Peaks in ash shards are observed two profiles. Major minor element geochemistry indicates volcanic originating Katla system. Precise correlation previously described tephra is uncertain due overlapping chemical characteristics. The determinations, litho- bio-stratigraphy encompass broad age-span for cryptotephra bearing sediments, end Allerød Preboreal. most plausible eruption correlates Vedde Ash (∼Younger Dryas), already known European mainland, AF555 (late Younger Dryas) Suduroy (∼Preboreal/Boreal), recorded only North Atlantic region. These three horizons have been to, respectively, 12,171 ± 57 yr b2k NGRIP ice-core, c.11,500 cal BP, Scotland c.8000 radiocarbon Faroe Isles. Ongoing research on deposits type sites layers may future differentiate these markers leading better discrimination chemistries resolution this question.