A Radiocarbon Dated Pollen Diagram from the Allegheny Plateau of New York State

Abstract

Belmont Bog, presumably situated on Olean drift, the oldest recognized Wisconsinian till in the Northeast, is compared with the nearby Genesee Valley peat works site and the regional pattern of pollen strata. Seven strata are recognized in this bog and 6 are dated, giving a pattern of tundralike vegetation from 16,400-12,500 B.P., open spruce from 12,500-11,000 B.P. a pine dominance at approximately 10,100 B.P. and a hemlock maximum at 8400 B.P. Since the earliest date is younger than that usually associated with Olean drift, the possibilities of interactions with the Kent advance are discussed.