Journal article
Observations of postglacial sea‐level rise in northwest European traditions
Geoarchaeology, Vol.37(4), pp.577-593
2022
Abstract
In preliterate contexts, diverse knowledge was accumulated, processed and communicated orally. Recent research demonstrates that observations of memorable events were transferred in this way for thousands of years sometimes. Much of this information was eventually written down to reach literate audiences, which commonly judge such ‘myths and legends’ to be cultural inventions rather than ancient memories. This study examines 15 ‘submergence stories’ from northwest European coasts and argues that they plausibly represent memories of postglacial sea-level rise, which, in this region, was spatially and temporally variable owing to the interaction of sea-level rise with glacial isostatic adjustment. This study combines culture history and knowledge of earth rheology to argue that memories of the effects of postglacial land submergence in northwest Europe have endured for 5000–15,000 years. This requires a longevity of memory, orally communicated, that is not unprecedented, yet surprises many. It also shows that scientists might benefit from trying to better understand oral traditions from cultures elsewhere in the world that may have preserved observations of memorable events.
Details
- Title
- Observations of postglacial sea‐level rise in northwest European traditions
- Authors
- Patrick D Nunn (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Law and SocietyAxel Creach (Author) - Sorbonne UniversitéW. Roland Gehrels (Author) - University of YorkSarah L Bradley (Author) - University of SheffieldIan Armit (Author) - University of YorkPierre Stéphan (Author) - Institut Universitaire Européen de la MerFraser Sturt (Author) - University of SouthamptonAgnès Baltzer (Author) - Nantes Université
- Publication details
- Geoarchaeology, Vol.37(4), pp.577-593
- Publisher
- John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
- Date published
- 2022
- DOI
- 10.1002/gea.21898
- ISSN
- 1520-6548; 0883-6353
- Copyright note
- This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Nunn, P. D., Creach, A., Gehrels, W. R., Bradley, S. L., Armit, I., Stéphan, P., Sturt, F., & Baltzer, A. (2022). Observations of postglacial sea-level rise in northwest European traditions. Geoarchaeology, 37, 577– 593. https://doi.org/10.1002/gea.21898, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1002/gea.21898. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions. This article may not be enhanced, enriched or otherwise transformed into a derivative work, without express permission from Wiley or by statutory rights under applicable legislation. Copyright notices must not be removed, obscured or modified. The article must be linked to Wiley’s version of record on Wiley Online Library and any embedding, framing or otherwise making available the article or pages thereof by third parties from platforms, services and websites other than Wiley Online Library must be prohibited.
- Organisation Unit
- Indigenous and Transcultural Research Centre; Australian Centre for Pacific Islands Research; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Law and Society; Sustainability Research Cluster
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99594408202621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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- Domestic collaboration
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- Web Of Science research areas
- Archaeology
- Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
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