Boreal

A climatic subdivision of the Holocene epoch, following the Pre-Boreal and preceding the Atlantic climatic intervals. Radiocarbon dating shows the period beginning about 9,500 years ago and ending about 7,500 years ago. The Boreal was supposed to be warm and dry. In Europe, the Early Boreal was characterized by hazel-pine forest assemblages and lowering sea levels. In the Late Boreal, hazel-oak forest assemblages were dominant, but the seas were rising. In some areas, notably the North York moors, southern Pennines and lowland heaths, Mesolithic man appears to have been responsible for temporary clearances by fire and initiated the growth of moor and heath vegetation.

A climatic sub-division of the fland-rian period, supposed to be warm and dry. Godwin’s pollen zones V and VI correspond to the Boreal period in the British Isles. Zone V was dominated by birch and hazel, the latter rising through the zone to dominate Zone VI. The forest trees, elm, oak, alder and lime rose through Zone VI, to dominate in the succeeding Zone Vila, the Atlantic period. In some areas, notably the North York moors, southern Pennines and lowland heaths, Mesolithic man appears to have been responsible for temporary clearances by fire, even before forest became established, and initiated the growth of moor and heath vegetation.

A climatic subdivision of the Holocene epoch, following the PreBoreal and preceding the Atlantic climatic intervals. Radiocarbon dating shows the period beginning about 9500 years ago and ending about 7500 years ago. The Boreal was supposed to be warm and dry. In Europe, the Early Boreal was characterized by hazel-pine forest assemblages and lowering sea levels. In the Late Boreal, hazel-oak forest assemblages were dominant, but the seas were rising. In some areas, notably the North York moors, southern Pennines, and lowland heaths, Mesolithic man appears to have been responsible for temporary clearances by fire and initiated the growth of moor and heath vegetation.