A taphonomically complicated Norse age peat sequence from southern Greenland is analysed. Multiple working hypotheses are developed from contradictory data pertaining to human impact. Underutilised analyses (ordination and pollen preservation) are used to aid interpretations. Ordination of large well contextualized fossil pollen datasets is a valuable chronological tool. Pollen preservation data is invaluable in interpreting human impacts from taphonomically complex situations.