Abstract:
The thesis is concerned with three coastal caves and two open coastal sites in south Gower. The Pleistocene succession at each
locality is described and classified using a multidisciplinary
approach, which involves sedimentological. faunal and pollen
analyses. An informal lithostratigraphic, biostratigraphic and
chronostratigraphic classification is proposed. Two interglacial high sea level events are recognised. The
earlier is represented by the Inner Sand Beach of Minchin Hole and
is correlated with oxygen isotope sub-stage 7a (210 ka BP) using
amino acid dating. The younger is represented by the Outer Gravel
Beach of Minchin Hole and is correlated by amino acid dating with
oxygen isotope stage 5e (125 ka BP). Evidence is presented of three cold events in Gower. The earliest antedates the Minchin Hole Inner Sand Beach, the second is
related to oxygen isotope stage 6 on the basis of lithostratigraphy
and amino acid dating, and the youngest represents the last
(Devensian) Glaciation.
Detailed evidence of climatic and environmental change from the
Last Interglacial (oxygen isotope stage 5e) to the Last Glaciation is described. The Last Interglacial in Gower is marked by a high sea level event, interglacial weathering of sediments, a temperate
fauna with some southern species and an inferred regional vegetation
of mixed temperate forest. This is followed by a continuous fall in
sea level to the low stand of the Last Glaciation, which accompanied by a gradual change from a temperate to a boreal fauna,
an inferred deterioration of climate and reduction in the vegetation
cover., and the commencement of colluviation and sheetwashing of
weathered sediments on the plateau surfaces of Gower. The Last Glaciation in Gower is represented by a boreal fauna and periglacial
sedimentation, with head deposits and loess.
