Modern Ice

[Мастер]

It looks like the independent queendom of Scotland had a glacier much later than previously thought. Unless the new findings are wrong.

[Lianachan]

Yes, I saw that in the news. I have often seen historical references to some mountains in Scotland being covered in snow all year round, which is kind of anecdotal semi-evidence. I'm neither a geologist nor a climate change expert, but the archaeologist in me who understands what dating evidence is would like to know how they arrived at the figure of around 400 years ago. I'm not questioning it, I'd just like to know the process.

[Heid the Ba]

Beardy georgrapher says "That's pish".

[Lianachan]

Heard that on the radio in the car a few minutes ago.

There's only one way to settle this...

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[Heid the Ba]

It looks like the independent queendom of Scotland had a glacier much later than previously thought. Unless the new findings are wrong.

When I read this my brain changes it to "independent queefdom of Scotland", I have no idea what that says about me or this great country.

[Мастер]

Beardy georgrapher says "That's pish".

He should know, he was there!

[Lianachan]

I see that article says that cosmogenic 10Be dating was used. I thought it was probably some kind of dating based on surface exposure - there are similar archaeological dating methods for stone.

Edited afterthough: And yes, he probably was there. In fact, his carelessly placing a hot cup of soup on top of it may have finished it off.

[Enzo]

There was the "little ice age" of several hundred years ago. I don't know that it would have been able to cause glaciers to move in Scotland, I'd wager not, but it might be behind snowy all year up there stories.


More for the interested:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Ice_Age