This first volume in the Developments in Paleoenvironmental Research series deals with the acquisition and archiving of lake sediment cores, chronological techniques, and large-scale basin analysis methods used in paleolimnology. Other volumes deal with physical and geochemical parameters and methods (Volume 2), biological techniques (Volumes 3 and 4), and statistical and data handling methods (Volume 5). These monographs provide sufficient detail and breadth to be useful handbooks for both seasoned practitioners as well as newcomers to the area of paleolimnology. Although the chapters in these volumes target mainly lacustrine settings, many of the techniques described can also be readily applied to fluvial, glacial, marine, estuarine, and peatland environments.