Suzi Richer

Maker. Grower. Herbalist. Writer. Archaeologist.

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    Living simply. (re-)Connecting with nature. Supporting others to do so too.

    Richer Environmental – Pollen Analysis

    Pollen Work – levels of reporting undertaken

    All pollen work undertaken also includes the analysis of non-pollen palynomorphs (NPPs), or the other things found on pollen slides. These can often be as informative (or more so) than the pollen results. For more information on NPPs, please see the blog posts for examples. 

    I undertake assessment and analysis of sub-samples from both on-site and off-site contexts. On-site contexts include, ditches, pits, well, moats, watering holes, palaeochannels, and other contexts that are suitable for the survival of pollen including those that have been desiccated and those that have been protected by metal objects. 

    No two projects have the same requirements, so do get in touch and I can provide a quote based on your needs. 

    I offer two levels of pollen reporting:

    • Counted assessment

    This entails a count of 100 land pollen grains to assess for preservation, condition, abundance of pollen and NPPs, and the main taxa present, and written report. This gives an indication of whether full analysis should be undertaken and allows for more precise targeting of future samples for full analysis. Comment is also made about potential for further understanding of vegetation change and human activity on the site.

    • Full analysis

    This includes counts of 300 land pollen grains, as well as the inclusion of a pollen diagram (providing more than five samples have been analysed) and written report.

    Sub-sampling

    I offer a range of options for sub-sampling, that include:

    • Sub-sampling from monoliths that have been couriered to me.
    • Receiving sub-samples directly from the client (please contact me first to discuss this, to ensure the correct proceedure is followed).
    • Receiving prepped pollen slides. 

    Fieldwork

    Please note that I no longer undertake fieldwork, or sampling in the field, if you require this, get in touch and I can advise who to contact. 

    Outputs

    Below is a selection of publications related to pollen analysis, environmental archaeology, chronology construction, and science communication.

    For herbal writing please visit: Writing

    Featured Publications

    Richer, S, (2021) Sea Where there Once was Land: Redcar, England, Environment & Society Portal, Arcadia, (Spring 2021) 18. Rachel Carson Center for Environment and Society. doi:10.5282/rcc/9303.

    Richer, S, (2020) Environmental Archaeology – connection and communication, Internet Archaeology 53. https://doi.org/10.11141/ia.53.11

    Richer, S, Stump, D and Marchant, R (2019) Archaeology has no relevance, Internet Archaeology 53. https://doi.org/10.11141/ia.53.2.

    Richer, S, (2018) ‘Peat Deposits’. In S López Varela (ed) The SAS Encyclopedia of Archaeological Sciences.

    Richer, S and Gearey, B, (2017) The Medicine Tree: Unsettling Palaeoecological Perceptions of Past Environments and Human Activity, Journal of Social Archaeology, 17(3): 239–262.  

    http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1469605317731013 or the accepted manuscript can be freely downloaded from here.

    Richer, S, and Gearey, B, (2018) From Rackham to REVEALS: Reflections on Palaeoecological Approaches to Woodland and Trees, Environmental Archaeology.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14614103.2017.1283765 this article is fully open access.

    Books

    Richer, S, (2018) ‘Peat Deposits’. In S López Varela (ed) The SAS Encyclopedia of Archaeological Sciences.

    ​Richer, S, (2013) Writing a dissertation – the essential guide. Peterborough: Need2Know.

    Book Chapters

    Barrett J H, Farr, L R, Redhouse, D, Richer, S, Zimmermann J, Sharpe L, Ovenden S, Moore J, Poller T, Milek, K B, Simpson I A, Smith, M, Gourley, B, and O’Connor, T, (2012) Quoygrew and its landscape context. In JH Barrett (ed), Being an Islander: Production and Identity at Quoygrew, Orkney, AD 900–1600. Cambridge: McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research, 25–46.

    Tzortzis, S, Mocci, F, Walsh, K, Talon, B, Court-Picon, M, Dumas, V, Py, V and Richer, S, (2008) Les massifs de l’Argentiérois du Mésolithique au début de l’Antiquité. In D Garcia and H Richard, (eds), Le peuplement de l’arc alpin. Paris: Editions du CTHS, 123–8.

    Journal Articles

    Marchant, R, Richer, S, Boles, O, Capitani, C, Courtney-Mustaphi ,CJ, Lane, P, Prendergast, ME, Stump, D, de Cort, G, Kaplan, JO, Phelps, L, Kay, A, Olago, D, Petek, N, Platts, P, Punwong, P, Widgren, M, Wynne-Jones, S, Ferro-Vázquez, C, Benard, J, Boivin, N, Crowther, A, Cuní-Sanchez, A, Deere, NJ, Ekblom, A, Farmer, J, Finch J, Fuller, D, Gaillard-Lemdahl, M-J, Gillson, L, Githumbi, E, Kabora, T, Kariuki, R, Kinyanjui, R, Kyazike, E, Lang, C, Leiju, J, Morrison, KD, Muiruri, V, Mumbi, C, Muthoni, R, Muzuka, A, Ndiema, E, Nzabandora, CK, Onjala, I, Pas Schrijver, A, Rucina, S, Shoemaker, A, Thornton-Barnett, S, van der Plas, G, Watson, EE, Williamson, D, Wright, D (2018). Drivers and trajectories of land cover change in East Africa: Human and environmental interactions from 6000 years ago to present. Earth-Science Reviews, 178, 322–37

    Githumbi EN, Kariuki R, Shoemaker A, Courtney-Mustaphi CJ, Chuhilla M, Richer S, Lane P and Marchant R, (2018). Pollen, People and Place: Multidisciplinary Perspectives on Ecosystem Change at Amboseli, Kenya.  Front. Earth Sci., 5, 113. DOI: 10.3389/feart.2017.00113.  
    Walsh, K, Richer, S, and de Beaulieu, J-L, (2006) Attitudes to altitude: changing meanings and perceptions within a “marginal” Alpine landscape – the integration of palaeoecological and archaeological data in a high-altitude landscape in the French Alps, World Archaeology, 38(3), 436–454. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00438240600813392.

    Walsh, K, Court-Picon, M, de Beaulieu, J-L, Guiter, F, Mocci, F, Richer, S, Sinet, R, Talon, B and Tzortzis, S, (2014) A historical ecology of the Ecrins (Southern French Alps): Archaeology and palaeoecology of the Mesolithic to the medieval period, Quaternary International, 353(5), 52–73.doi:10.1016/j.quaint.2013.08.060.

    Richer, S (2017)  ‘The site that slipped through the ‘lime decline’ net: A Holocene history of Tilia at Shrawley Wood, Worcestershire, UK’, Quaternary Newsletter, 140.​

    Mocci, F, Walsh, K, Richer, S, Talon, B, Tzortzis, S, Martinez, JMP, and Bressy, C, (2007) Archéologie et paléoenvironnement dans les Alpes méridionales françaises, Hauts massifs de l’Argentiérois, du Champsaur et de l’Ubaye, Hautes-Alpes et Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, Néolithique final-début de l’Antiquité. In Cahiers de Paléoenvironnement, 6, 253–272.

    Publications for a wider audience

    Policy Brief: Stump, D and Richer, S, (2017) ‘Terraces are good, but sediment traps are better’. AAREA Policy Brief No. 1, University of York.

    Film: ‘Grains of Truth’, in conjunction with Ambient Film. Archaeological research in East Africa. Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJKal9rkFKo

    Article: Richer, S, and Stump, D, (2016) ‘More than just a terrace: a past perspective on the multifunctional agriculture of Konso, Ethiopia’ in World Farming Organisation publication F@rmletters. Download available here.

    Article: Richer, S, and Lang, C, (2017) ‘Archaeological evidence for shifting irrigation and cultivation practices at Engaruka, Tanzania’ RAMSAR newsletter article.

    Recipe book: Richer, S and Trustram Eve, N, (2013) Recipes from History: Chocolate. The Copper Pot, Bewdley.

    Recipe book: Trustram Eve, N and Richer, S, (2012) Recipes from History: Damsons. The Copper Pot, Bewdley.

    Reports

    2020

    Richer, S (2020) Presence/absence assessment of pollen from Ebbsfleet, Kent. Unpublished report 20/07.

    Richer, S (2020) Analysis of pollen from Land at the former Transport Research Laboratory, Crowthorne, Berkshire. Unpublished report 20/06.

    Richer, S (2020) Presence/absence assessment of pollen from Saffron Walden, Essex. Unpublished report 20/05.

    Richer, S (2020) Analysis of pollen from Meriden Quarry, Solihull, West Midlands. Unpublished report 20/04.

    Richer, S (2020) Assessment of pollen from Llansdwell, Powys. Unpublished report 20/03.

    Richer, S (2020) Presence/absence assessment of pollen from Whitechapel, London. 

    Unpublished report 20/02.

    Richer, S (2020) Radiocarbon dating report for Meriden Quarry, Solihull, West Midlands. 

    Unpublished report 20/01.

    2019

    Richer, S (2019) Presence/absence assessment of pollen from Sherwood Lodge, Bolsover, Derbyshire. Unpublished report 19/17.

    Richer, S (2019) Radiocarbon dating report for Lighthorne Heath, Warwickshire. Unpublished interim report 19/18.

    Richer, S (2019) Radiocarbon dating report for Barford, Warwickshire. Unpublished report 19/17.

    Richer, S (2019) Full analysis of pollen from Adur Tidal Walls, Shoreham-by-Sea. Unpublished report 19/16.

    Richer, S (2019) Pollen assessment from Cromwell Quarry, Nottinghamshire. Unpublished report 19/15.

    Richer, S (2019) Full analysis of pollen from Land to the South of Bexhill Road, Bulverhythe, East Sussex. Unpublished report 19/14.

    Richer, S (2019) Pollen assessment from Keadby Power Station, North Lincolnshire. Unpublished report 19/13.

    Richer, S (2019) Full analysis of pollen from Llyn Mawr, The National Botanic Gardens Wales, Carmarthenshire, Wales. Unpublished report 19/12.

    Richer, S (2019) Survey at Bracken Hills Farm, East Lound, Haxey, North LincolnshireUnpublished report 19/11.

    Richer, S (2019) Presence/absence assessment of pollen from Charter House, Coventry. Unpublished report 19/10

    Richer, S (2019) Full analysis of pollen from The Old Fire Station, Merstow Green, Evesham, Worcestershire. Unpublished report 19/08.

    Richer, S (2019) Presence/absence assessment of pollen from Bevere Weir, Worcester, Worcestershire. Unpublished report 19/07.

    Richer, S (2019) Presence/absence assessment of pollen from Linthaugh, Milfield Basin, Northumberland. Unpublished report 19/06. 

    Richer, S (2019) Pollen assessment from Salt Lane, Coventry. Unpublished report 19/05.

    Richer, S (2019) Radiocarbon dating report for Skeffling, East Riding of Yorkshire. Unpublished report 19/04.

    Richer, S (2019) Presence/absence assessment of pollen from Limebrook Park East, Maldon, Essex. Unpublished report 19/03.

    Richer, S (2019) Pollen assessment from Skeffling, East Yorkshire. Unpublished report 19/02.

    2018

    Richer, S (2020) Full analysis of pollen from Offenham Biomass, Worcestershire. Unpublished report 20/18,

    Richer, S (2018) Radiocarbon dating report for Long Hanborough, Oxon. Unpublished report 18/18.

    Richer, S (2018) Radiocarbon dating report for Jervaulx Abbey, North Yorkshire. Unpublished report 18/17.

    Richer, S (2018) Presence/absence assessment of pollen from Llyn Mawr, The National Botanic Gardens Wales, Carmarthenshire, Wales. Unpublished report 18/16.

    Richer, S  (2018) Presence/absence assessment of pollen from Dowth, County Meath, Ireland. Unpublished report 18/15.

    Richer, S (2018) Palaeoenvironmental assessment for Satterthwaite Bloomery, Cumbria. Unpublished report 18/14.

    Richer, S (2018) Radiocarbon dating report for Land at Scorer’s Lane, Great Lumley, County Durham. Unpublished report 18/13.

    Richer, S (2018) Pollen assessment from Keadby Power Station, North Lincolnshire. Unpublished report 18/12.

    Bradley, R, Evans, C J, Pearson, E, Richer, S, and Sworn, S, (2018) Excavation at The Hive, The Butts, Worcester, Worcestershire Archaeology Research Report 10. (Contributions: pollen analysis and landscape development). 

    Richer, S (2018) Presence/absence assessment for pollen from Stibbe, Leicester. Unpublished report 18/11.

    Richer, S (2018) Presence/absence assessment for pollen from Breadsall Hilltop, Derbyshire. Unpublished report 18/10.

    Richer, S (2018) Presence/absence assessment for pollen from Glenfield Park, Leicester. Unpublished report 18/09.

    Richer, S (2018) Peugeot Garage Cantabury, Pollen Analysis Report. Unpublished report, 18/08.

    Richer, S, (2018) Presence/absence assessment for pollen from Bradgate Park, Newtown Linford, Leicestershire. Unpublished report, 18/07.

    Richer, S, (2018) Presence/absence assessment for pollen from Chestnut Park, Kingswood, Gloucestershire. Unpublished report, 18/06.

    Richer, S, (2018) Chronological modelling report for Drumgold, Co. Wexford, Ireland. Unpublished report, 18/04.

    Richer, S, (2018) Full analysis of pollen from Pineham, Northamptonshire. Unpublished report, 18/03.

    Richer, S, (2018) Presence/absence assessment for pollen from Brooksby, Leicestershire. Unpublished report, 18/02.

    Richer, S, (2018) Radiocarbon dating report for Felton, Northumberland. For AD Archaeology. Unpublished report, 18/01.

    2017

    Becker, K, Gearey, B, Richer, S, Hamilton, D, Chapman, H, Hegarty, M, Eogan, J, Armit, I, Dillon, M, Fioccoprile, E, McClatchie, M, O’Carroll, E, Taylor, K, Hull, G, and Duffy, S, (2017) “Seeing beyond the site” settlement and landscapes in Later Prehistoric Ireland, INSTAR-funded project AR04557, Final report, University College Cork. (Palaeoenvironmental radiocarbon dating).

    Savine, B, Richer, S, Boast, E and Loffman, G, (2017) Geoarchaeological investigations at Yorkshire Energy Park, Hedon, East Riding of Yorkshire, York Archaeological Trust, report 2017/93.

    Mann, A, Griffin, L, Leary, R, McKinley, J I, Pearson, E, and Richer, S, (2017) Archaeological investigations at Whitemoor Haye Quarry, Staffordshire 2005 – 2012. A prehistoric and Roman landscape in the Tame Valley, Worcestershire Archaeology report, 2470. (Sections: ‘Pollen’ and ‘Radiocarbon dating of peat deposits’).

    Becker, K, Gearey, B, Armit, I, Dillon, M, Eogan, J, Hegarty, S, McClatchie, M, O’Carroll, E, Richer, S, Taylor, K ansd Hull, G (2017) “Seeing beyond the site” settlement and landscapes in Later Prehistoric Ireland, INSTAR-funded project AR04557, Phase  2 report, University College Cork. (Palaeoenvironmental radiocarbon dating).

    2016

    Becker, K, Gearey, B, McClatchie, M, Eogan, J, Armit, I, Nagle, C and Richer, S, (2016) “Seeing beyond the site” settlement and landscapes in Later Prehistoric Ireland, INSTAR-funded project AR04557, Phase  1 report., University College Cork. (Palaeoenvironmental radiocarbon dating).

    Richer, S, (2016) Full analysis of pollen from Willington Quarry, Derbyshire, Worcestershire Archaeology, Worcestershire County Council, report 2305.

    Richer, S, (2016) Pollen presence/absence assessment from Trent Farm Quarry, Derbyshire, Worcestershire Archaeology, Worcestershire County Council, report 2295.

    Richer, S, (2016) Pollen presence/absence assessment from Lockington, Leicestershire, Worcestershire Archaeology, Worcestershire County Council, report.

    2015

    ​Richer, S, (2015) Archaeological watching brief at Powick Bridge, Powick, Worcestershire, Worcestershire Archaeology, Worcestershire County Council, report 2254.

    Richer, S, (2015) Geoarchaeological borehole survey at Hoobrook Link Road Bridge, Worcestershire, Worcestershire Archaeology, Worcestershire County Council, report 2245.

    Richer, S, and Daffern, N, (2015) Pollen analysis. In A Mann et al. Excavations at Town Mill, Hanbury Road, Droitwich, Worcestershire, Worcestershire Archaeology, Worcestershire County Council, report 2205.

    Richer, S, and Mann, A, (2015) Environmental analysis. In G Arnold and M Nicholson Archaeological investigations at Vineyards Weir, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, Worcestershire Archaeology, Worcestershire County Council, report 2183. (‘Pollen’ and ‘Radiocarbon dating’).

    Richer, S, (2015) Scientific dating. In A Mann, et al. Excavations at Town Mill, Hanbury Road, Droitwich, Worcestershire, Worcestershire Archaeology, Worcestershire County Council, report 2205.

    Richer, S, (2015) Pollen analysis. In G Arnold, Archaeological watching brief of Pershore Weir Turbines, rear of Bridge Street, Pershore, Worcestershire, Worcestershire Archaeology, Worcestershire County Council, report 2193.

    Daffern, N, Richer, S, and Marshall, P (2015) Radiocarbon Dating. In T Vaughan and J Webster, Archaeological investigations on the Flood Alleviation Scheme, Kempsey, Worcestershire, Worcestershire Archaeology, Worcestershire County Council, report 2189.

    2014

    Richer, S, (2014) Assessment of the environmental remains from Abbey Bridge, Evesham, Worcestershire, Worcestershire Archaeology, Worcestershire County Council, report 2140. (Pollen analysis).

    Richer, S, (2014) Auger Survey at Church Hill Middle School, Redditch, Worcestershire, Worcestershire Archaeology, Worcestershire County Council, report 2125.

    Richer, S, (2014) Environmental remains from an evaluation on land off Hawthorn Rise, Tibberton, Worcestershire, Worcestershire Archaeology Service, Worcestershire County Council, report 2123. (Pollen analysis).

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    Contact

    If you have any queries please contact me on: suziricher@gmail.com