The research study was influenced by the Gough map, which depicts 2 “lost” islands in Cardigan Bay offshore west Wales, United Kingdom.
A brand-new research study of coastal geography discovers that the lost islands discussed in Welsh folklore and poetry are possible.
New evidence on the evolution of west Wales coastline has actually revealed a Welsh tradition returning to the medieval era of a landscape lost to the sea is possible.
The scientists from Swansea University and the University of Oxford suggest how 2 islands came into being and subsequently disappeared utilizing geological information and a medieval map.
The study was motivated by the Gough Map, the earliest making it through map of Great Britain. The map is believed to have potentially stemmed from the thirteenth century and is presently housed in Oxfords Bodleian Library.
The map depicts 2 lost islands in Cardigan Bay in west Wales. Each of them is approximately one-quarter the size of the north Wales island of Anglesey. New research has actually shown that “lost islands” mentioned in Welsh folklore, might be the residues of a low-lying landscape underlain by soft glacial deposits laid down throughout the last ice age. Their research revealed that misconceptions about lost islands on the west Wales coast were possible. The Gough Map is extraordinarily precise considering the surveying tools they would have had at their disposal at that time, and the 2 islands are clearly marked.”
The map depicts 2 lost islands in Cardigan Bay in west Wales. Each of them is approximately one-quarter the size of the north Wales island of Anglesey. One is in between Aberystwyth and Aberdovey, while the other is between there and Barmouth to the north.
New research has shown that “lost islands” pointed out in Welsh folklore, might be the remnants of a low-lying landscape underlain by soft glacial deposits put down during the last glacial epoch. Ever since, forces of disintegration have deteriorated the land, decreasing it to islands, before these too were deteriorated and disappeared by the 16th century. Credit: Prof Simon Haslett, Swansea University
Simon Haslett, Honorary Professor of Physical Geography at Swansea University, and David Willis, Jesus Professor of Celtic at the University of Oxford, performed the research.
Their research examines historic sources in addition to geological proof from the seafloor and coastline. It recommends a design for how the coast has grown given that the last ice age 10,000 years earlier, which provides a possible description for the lost islands.
The Black Book of Carmarthen (1250 approx) is thought to be the earliest surviving complete manuscript composed in the Welsh language. This extract states, in Welsh: “Stand forth, Seithenhin, and consider the fury of the sea; it has actually covered Maes Gwyddneu.” The new research on the evolution of the coastline in west Wales suggests that claims such as this of a drowned land are plausible. Credit: Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru/National Library of Wales
They speculate that the islands are the remains of a low-lying surface underlain by soft glacial deposits from the last glacial epoch. Ever since, erosional procedures have deteriorated the land, minimizing it to islands, before these too were used away and disappeared by the 16th century.
As finer sediments of glacial deposits are eroded away, the bigger gravel and boulder component is left on the seafloor. The position of the islands coincides with the location of submarine accumulations of gravel and boulders, known in your area as sarns.
Prof David Willis (l), Jesus Professor of Celtic at the University of Oxford, and Prof Simon Haslett (r) Emeritus professor of geography at Swansea University Their research study revealed that misconceptions about lost islands on the west Wales coast were possible. Credit: Prof Simon Haslett, Swansea University.
Teacher Simon Haslett of Swansea University Department of Geography stated: “We understand that the west Wales coast has changed considerably with time. Proof from the Roman cartographer Ptolemy recommends the shoreline 2000 years back may have been some 13 km further out to sea than it is today. The Gough Map is extraordinarily accurate considering the surveying tools they would have had at their disposal at that time, and the 2 islands are plainly marked.”
He continues, “Our research increases our understanding of possible seaside procedures acting along the coast of Cardigan Bay. It can also assist with future research study on post-glacial advancement of similar lowlands in other parts of northwest Europe. Comprehending coastline dynamics has actually never ever been more important. Some towns along the area we studied are susceptible to environment and sea-level change, and it has been recommended that it may cause a few of the very first environment change refugees in the UK.”
David Willis, Jesus Professor of Celtic Studies at the University of Oxford, said: “Our evidence may provide a description of how the story of Cantre r Gwaelod ( The Hundred of the Bottom) might have emerged. This lost land is stated to have suffered a catastrophic inundation and is described in poetry in the Black Book of Carmarthen and in later folklore.”
Recommendation: “The lost islands of Cardigan Bay, Wales, UK: insights into the post-glacial evolution of some Celtic coasts of northwest Europe” by Simon K. Haslett and David Willis, 11 June 2022, Atlantic Geoscience.DOI: 10.4138/ atlgeo.2022.005.