Some geomorphological implications of recent archaeological investigations on river terraces of the River Dee, Aberdeenshire

Abstract

Excavation and survey of archaeological sites have in recent years generated new data on the chronology of river terraces on the River Dee between Banchory and Peterculter in Aberdeenshire. Terrace fragments have been mapped and correlated on altitudinal grounds, for the first time. Five terrace surfaces are identified and named, refining the terminology of the British Geological Survey. Three are distinct surfaces within the Lochton Sand and Gravel Formation. The relation between them, regional deglaciation and the formation of the Late Devensian Loch of Park, north of Crathes, suggests some time separated their development. Below these, a fourth terrace, the Camphill Terrace, is dated to before the Windermere Interstadial by finds of Late Upper Palaeolithic flints. The Camphill Terrace is argued to have been the active valley floor within the Younger Dryas also. Timing of incision from the Camphill Terrace is not understood: interpretations are different at three archaeological sites. The youngest terrace fill and surface, the Maryculter Terrace, began to form c. 5000 years ago.