The late pliocene site of Saint-Vallier (Drome, France): pollen analysis

From 1993 to 1999, 216 samples have been collected for pollen analysis as excavations were carried out in the Saint-Vallier site. They concern the whole layers of sediments. Few samples contain pollen grains. Because of oxidation, or bad accumulation, or conservation conditions, pollen is rare. Statistics calculation is then generally impossible. In spite of that, interesting qualitative data are available. Most of the results obtained concern the sediments close to LD3 ("bane durci 3"). A coprolite of Hyaenideae found by Jean Viret in the 1950s and belonging to the LD3 has been analysed too. It yields well-preserved pollen grains that confirm the other results. They indicate temperate climatic conditions: fresh below the LD3 (conifers dominant: Pinus, Cedrus, Picea, Abies), and warmer above, at the bone-bearing horizon (broad leaved trees, Quercus and Platanus among them). The spectrums indicate both forest environment and open landscape with heliophilous trees and herbs. (C) 2004 Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.