Radiocarbon dates for Holocene fires and associated events, Canterbury, New Zealand

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Abstract
The fire history and associated geomorphic and pedologic events are interpreted from radiocarbon-dated horizons from three locations in Canterbury. In each case there are three superimposed palaeosols separated by relatively thick inorganic deposits. The stratigraphy indicates that periods of stability, when soils formed, were followed by periods of erosion and sediment accumulation after fire had removed vegetation. Conventional radiocarbon dates for some of the palaeosols, and dates for fire (either on the internal evidence, or by correlation with dated sites nearby) are: Bush Creek, Lake Stream catchment, Arrowsmith Range 8880 ± 60 yr B.P. (Wk-2637), 5910 ± 60 yr B.P. (Wk-3451); Ribbonwood Creek, Cass basin, Wai-makariri catchment 2547 ± 66 yr B.P. (NZ-7519); Jumped-up Downs, Erewhon Station, Rangitata catchment 940 ± 100 yr B.P. (Wk-3452). All but the youngest of these dates are for fires prior to the Polynesian invasion of New Zealand. These and other published accounts indicate that fires were extensive in the eastern South Island at intervals throughout the Holocene. Younger, undated soils at Ribbonwood Creek and Jumped-up Downs each have abundant charcoal.