The appearance of pollen grains of
Plantago maior and
Plantago lanceolata in the pollen diagrams before and contemporary with the elm decline is, unless accompanied by pollen of Cerealia and archaeological material, not necessarily an indication of the presence of Neolithic man in the immediate vicinity, because of the occurrence of the Agropyro-Rumicion crispi alliance, order Plantaginetalia maioris in naturally unstable contact zones.
Translated by Dr.J. J. Butler.