Interconnection between the dynamics of natural conditions and populating of the Qarabag plain of Central Azerbaijan in the 4th millennium BC

Climatic changes that took place in the 4th millennium BC (the second half of the Atlantic period, 6–5 thousand years ago) as revealed with the palynological data from the settlements of the Qarabag (Karabakh) plain of Central Azerbaijan caused direct changes in the lifestyle and economic structure of the Leylatepe culture carriers. Three consecutive changes in humidity were recorded, each of which coincides with a certain type of settlements, differing in their topography, quality of the construction material used, area and density of settlement.

Microblade Technology in Northern Sweden: Chronological and Cultural Irnplications

This article deals with Mesolithic microblade technology in northern Sweden. The artifacts in question are keeled scrapers, microblade cores, i.e. handle cores (also called wedge-shaped cores) and conical/cylindrical microblade cores, and microblades from Norrland and the provinces of Dalarna and Värmland. It is proposed that microblade production from handle cores was introduced perhaps as early as 7700/7500 BP in northern Sweden, but at least some time during the period 8000—7000 BP. It is possible that this type of core survives right up to ca. 5500 BP. The north Swedish handle core tradition is compared with its neighboring cultures. It is argued that microblade production from oblong handle cores was an innovation that spread from southern Scandinavia or southeastem Norway/western Sweden to northern Sweden during the Early Atlantic period. The Scandinavian handle core tradition as a whole is further compared with its counterparts in northeastern Asia and North America

Multidisciplinary Researches of Nebyshino 1 Site at the Upper Reaches of the Berezina River in 2018–2019

Comprehensive multidisciplinary research was held in 2018–2019 at Nebyshino 1 site located in the Dokshitsky district, Vitebsk region, Belarus. The analysis archaeological materials obtained during excavations made along the mineral edge of the butte and in the peaty part of the settlement were supplemented by archaeobotanical study, analysis of the osteological materials, and radiocarbon dating of wood and bone remains from the cultural horizon. The analysis of Nebyshino 1 flint artifacts and synchronization with the dating of the osteological samples made it possible to consider the preboreal and boreal periods as the main stages in the functioning of the settlement. The flint collection of Nebyshino 1 displays similarities with the flint inventory of the Zamosh’e settlement (Verkhnedvinski district, Vitebsk region), located in the basin of the Western Dvina. The cultural attribution of the archaeological materials of Nebyshino 1 presupposes that the site is related to the Kunda culture. At present time the absolute chronology of Nebyshino 1 site can be considered within the framework of the Preboreal — Atlanticum, since the lower chronological boundary (the second half of the Alleroid — Late Dryas) requires archaeological and palynological confirmation. The upper boundary of the settlement is determined by two dates corresponding to the second half of the Atlantic period, and by the presence in the cultural horizon a small number of fragments of Early Neolithic pottery of the Narva culture.

Ранний - средний голоцен северного Сахалина

New palynological and radiocarbon data obtained from sections of two ancient peatbogs permitted to specify the landscape and climatic changes in the nature of the first half of the Holocene on the southern outskirts of North Sakhalin. The Early Holocene was generally colder and drier in comparison with modern climatic conditions. The vegetation cover was dominated by larch/birch forests with the shrub birch undergrowth. In the middle of the Boreal Period (9000-8400 yrs. BP / 10,100-9300 Cal. yrs. BP), the climate became significantly warmer and slightly wetter, yet remaining drier than the modern one. Birch forests with the presence of broad-leaved and dark coniferous tree species were widespread. In the initial phase of the Atlantic Period (probably 7800-7500 yrs. BP / 8800-8300 Cal. yrs. BP), in the climatic conditions warmer and much more humid than modern ones, the first expansion of spruce/fir forests occurred. The second half of the early and first half of the middle phase of the Atlantic Period (7500-6500 yrs. BP / 8300-7400 Cal. yrs. BP) were distinguished by decreased humidity and further warming of the climate, which resulted in dominating birch forests, subordinate spruce/fir taiga, and a lot of deciduous forests. There were two cold episodes at the beginning and in the middle of this stage. The first of them, about 7300 yrs. BP / 8100 Cal. yrs. BP, was dry and provided the return of birch/larch forests. The second, about 7100 yrs. BP / 7900 Cal. yrs. BP, had a more humid climate, which caused an increase in the role of dark coniferous taiga and a weakening of birch forests. In the second half of the middle and, possibly, the beginning of the late phase of the period (probably 6500-5400 yrs. BP / 7400-6200 Cal. yrs. BP), spruce/fir forests with participation of broad-leaved tree spread. They developed in a warmer and more humid climate, similar to the current climate in the south of the Sakhalin Island and close to the optimal climatic conditions of the post-glacial time. The middle of the Late Atlantic Period, about 5300 yrs. BP / 6100 Cal. yrs. BP, was marked by the second, maximum expansion of spruce/ fir forests, due to the onset of the cool and, possibly, the wettest episode in the Middle Holocene.

Holocene evolution of closed depressions and its relation to landscape dynamics in the loess areas of Poland

Past Pleistocene topography of the loess uplands is rich in local sinks (closed depressions (CDs)) influencing sediment fluxes. Soil-sediment sequences from CDs constituting geoarchives where landscape changes under natural and anthropogenic conditions have been recorded. Pedo-sedimentary archives from 10 CDs in the Polish loess belt and human settlements were analysed. Phases of the Holocene evolution of the CDs were correlated with landscape dynamics in loess areas in Poland and Central Europe. Phases of infilling of CDs occurring (2) from the late Boreal/early Atlantic Period until the (middle) late Bronze Age/early Iron Age and (4) since the early Middle Ages until today were documented. These were phases of long-term soil erosion and colluviation corresponding to the increasing agricultural land use of Polish loess uplands. Phases of soil formation related to geomorphic stabilization of CDs occurred (1) from the late Vistulian until the late Boreal/early Atlantic Period and (3) from the late Bronze Age/early Iron Age until the early/high Middle Ages. These were phases of decreased soil erosion and landform conservation in a considerable part of Poland’s loess areas. Pedo-sedimentary archives from the CDs have recorded soil erosion strongly related with human-induced land-use changes. The mean soil erosion rate in the catchment of CDs was 0.33 t·ha−1·yr−1 during prehistory and 4.0 t·ha−1·yr−1 during the last approximately 1000 years. Phases of CD evolution are representative for the main phases of sediment and landscape dynamics in Poland’s loess areas recorded in various archives, and are not synchronous with some of these phases in Central Europe.

Early and Mid-Holocene vegetation changes in Scania (southern Sweden) based on palynological data

The paper presents a detailed palynological study of a sediment core from Lake Vomb in the central Scania, south Sweden. The pollen spectra are dominated by arboreal taxa, namely Alnus sp., Corylus avellana, Quercus sp., Pinus sylvestris, Betula sp. and others. The appearance and frequencies changes of the various pollen taxa show a vegetation succession from the Late Glacial to Middle Holocene. During the Late Glacial, open tundra-steppe prevailed around the lake, and the vegetation cover was sparse. In the early Holocene tundra-steppe vegetation changed to open woodland with Betula and Pinus as main elements, although, some types of tundra-steppe vegetation were present, such as Artemisia sp. and Chenopodiaceae. During the Boreal period, the area of coniferous forests gradually reduced and the migration of nemoral vegetation to southern Sweden began. During the Atlantic period, deciduous Quercus forests with Ulmus, Tilia and Fraxinus prevailed around the lake. The emergence of the Neolithic settlements at the end of the Atlantic period was reflected in the reduction of forest areas due to felling and burning of trees. The beginning of human impact on the vegetation was traced following the appearance of pollen of cultivated grasses and anthropophytes (e.g. Plantago lanceolata, Rumex acetosa). In the Subboreal period, cultural landscapes of the southern Sweden combined natural deciduous forests and meadows, pastures and arable land of ancient cultures. In the middle of the Subboreal time, migration of Fagus and Carpinus to the Scania began.