Middle paleolithic to neolithic cultural history of North Iraq

Six sections of 1–2.7-m depth contain ten sediment samples, each collected from the caves of Shanidar, Hawdian, and Hazar Merd with the nearby river valley sites of Zawi-Chemi, Gawra River, and Barda Balka, respectively, in North Iraq. They have been analyzed palynologically for their climatic significance and vegetational cover during late Quaternary in northeastern Iraq. The main information gathered from these palynological analyses as well as stone tools is ancient open site settlements in Barda Balka of Paleolithic interglacial Acheuleon culture. During the last Ice Age (120,000–10,000 years before present (B.P.)) people refuged to cave settlements. Baradost Mountain as well as the Aqra and Piera Maqroon mountains cavemen of the Middle Paleolithic Period are related to steppe vegetation with cold climate and glacial storms. Those cavemen manufactured stone artifacts of Mousterian to Gravetian culture and have their own religious belief and funeral ceremony especially recorded in the Shanidar cave. They lived by hunting and food collecting from a nearby valley to each cave. During earliest Holocene time (10,000 years B.P.), changing climate to moderately warm climate with Quercus forests and poacean vegetation was recorded, and the cavemen evolved to Neolithic culture and hence moved to settle in plain areas and built the oldest villages of the world, viz., Zawi-Chemi and Jarmo with continuing temporarily living in the caves as well. Their habit changed from food collectors to farmers who cultivated the land with wheat, barley, fruits, olive, legumes, and flowers of brilliant colors, nice odor, and nectariferous as well as domesticated animals for their food resources. Clay tablets of the Sumerians, Babylonians, and Assyrians have documented (Arapha) Kirkuk as one of their cities since 5,500 years B.P. The stone writing records of Assyrian king Sennacherib (705–681 years B.C.) state of making irrigation canals flowing to the temple of Ishtar in Erbil. On the other hand, the similarity of Jarmo village in the present Kurdstan region of Iraq to ancient Tell Hassuna village, south of the present Mosul city (within ancient Nineva city), and the pottery of Jarmo villages to Nineva pottery could give evidence for Jarmo people as followers to the Babylonian–Assyrian cultures within their empire and to prove that people of North Iraq and South Iraq are interrelated cultures through the history within Mesopotamian cultures.     

中晚全新世科尔沁沙地沉积物化学特征及其气候变化

科尔沁沙地位于我国沙漠-黄土边界带和北方农牧交错带,深受东亚季风的影响,对全球气候变化反应非常敏感,是研究全球气候变化的理想区域。TL剖面磁化率、粒度和地球化学元素氧化物及其比值变化分析表明:中晚全新世研究区气候极不稳定,可以大致划分为:① 6.0～4.2 ka BP,气候暖湿,夏季风逐渐增强,并占据主导,冬季风较弱,与全新世大暖期对应,但存在百年尺度的气候波动,其中:6.0～5.6 ka BP,5.5～5.4 ka BP,4.9～4.7 ka BP,4.5～4.2 ka BP气候暖湿;5.6～5.5 ka BP,5.4～4.9 ka BP,4.7～4.5 ka BP气候相对冷干。② 4.2～1.3 ka BP,气候相对暖湿,与上一阶段相比夏季风有所减弱,其间也存在次一级波动,4.2～3.63 ka BP,3.57～3.4 ka BP气候相对干冷;3.63～3.57 ka BP,3.4～1.3 ka BP,气候相对暖湿。③ 1.3～0.65 ka BP以来,气候波动频繁,后期有向暖湿发展的趋势。这些气候变化与区域和全球变化具有良好的对应关系,反映该区气候变化与全球气候变化具有高度一致性。     

Facies analysis and geochemistry of the Euphrates Formation in Central Iraq

The Euphrates Formation (Lower Miocene) in the Central Iraq consists mainly of shallow marine carbonates. Two hundred ten samples were collected from 21 wells (1E to 21ED) at Bahar Najaf area, and 18 samples were collected at Wadi Asadi in Baghdadi area, from Euphrates Formation. Four microfacies are identified, namely mudstone, wackestone, packstone, and rare grainstone with ten submicrofacies. The allochems in the Euphrates Formation are dominated by bioclasts. Peloids, ooids, and intraclasts are less abundant. The common fossils in the Euphrates Formation are miliolids, algae, ostracods, Miogypsina, and abundant shells of pelecypods and gastropods. Calcite and dolomite are the predominant mineral components of the Euphrates Formation. The carbonates of the Euphrates Formation have been affected by a variety of diagenetic processes such as micritization, dissolution, neomorphism, cementation, stylolitization, dolomitization, dedolomitization, and silicification. The Euphrates Formation was deposited in open to restricted platforms which indicated lagoonal environment with warm and restricted open circulation. In fact, prevalence and abundance of micrite provide an evidence of a shallow marine of low-energy environment and, in some places, may be approaching to be stagnant environment. The average of CaO in Najaf area (51.5 %) is slightly lower than that in Baghdadi area (53.3 %), which was reflected in calcite content found being 91 % in Najaf and 94 % in Baghdadi. Dolomite and gypsum appeared as minor minerals beside calcite, so low concentration of MgO (0.83 % in Najaf; 0.63 in Baghdadi) and SO₃ (0.55 % in Najaf; 0.53 % in Baghdadi) was reflected information of small amounts of dolomite (2 % in Najaf; 1.6 % in Baghdadi) and gypsum (0.7 % in Najaf and 0.6 in Baghdadi) in the Euphrates Formation. The insoluble residue in Najaf area (4.37 %) is relatively higher than that in Baghdadi area (1.9 %), indicating that the Euphrates Formation in Najaf Area has deposited in an environment closer to the shoreline. Concentrations of the trace elements Sr, Mn, and Fe which support the conclusion that reminds the Euphrates Formation had been deposited in a shallow marine environment of quiet energy, with the likelihood that the shoreline was the nearest to Najaf rather than to Baghdadi.     

Landscape and climatic changes during the end of the Late Prehistory in the Amblés Valley (Ávila, central Spain), from 1200 to 400 cal BC

Correlations between ecological and cultural changes occurred during a short period between the end of Subboreal and the beginning of Subatlantic in the Amblés Valley (Ávila, central Spain) are analyzed, taking into account palaeopalynological and archaeological data. Plant dynamics from pollen analyses, both from archaeological sites and peat bogs, have been interpreted in relation to human settlements and the transformation of economic practices. These provided a comprehensive hypothesis on human/climate interactions at the beginning of the 1st millennium cal BC. There was an ecological crisis in the region that lasted for a century (ca. 850–760 cal BC). This was especially sharp due to both the geographical constraints of the area and its previous agrarian history. This event implied a sudden and abrupt climatic change from xeric and warm conditions (Subboreal) to more humid and cooler ones (Subatlantic). Environmental stress derived from climatic crisis could be an important factor in the explanation of the historical process, whose main consequences were both the origin of the Iron Age peasant villages and the end of the ‘dehesa’ type landscape.     

青藏高原东北部共和盆地风成沉积地球化学特征及其揭示的气候变化

通过对共和盆地东部风成沉积的地球化学分析,并结合14C和OSL年代,重建了区域末次盛冰期以来气候变化过程。21 ka BP之前气候寒冷偏湿,21～15.82 ka BP为末次盛冰期(LastGlacial Maximum,LGM),气候极为寒冷干燥;15.82～9.5 ka BP气候转暖且偏干,其中14.5～13.6ka BP和11.9～9.5 ka BP气候明显冷干,分别为老仙女木时期(Oldest Dryas,OD)和新仙女木时期(Younger Dryas,YD),而15.82～14.5 ka BP和13.6～11.9 ka BP(BФlling-AllerФd暖期,B/A)相对温暖;9.5～7.2 ka BP暖湿程度明显提高,7.2～5.1 ka BP气候波动频繁,相对冷干和相对暖湿多次更替。5.1～2.7 ka BP暖湿程度基本稳定,之后气候趋于寒冷但湿度明显较大。这些气候变化过程与青藏高原大量的古气候信息记录具有良好的一致性,表明共和盆地气候变化与青藏高原气候变化的高度一致性。     

Mid-Holocene climate change in the eastern Xinjiang region indicated by the grain size and stable isotope record from Lake Barkol, northwest China

A sediment core from Lake Barkol located in the eastern Xinjiang autonomous region, northwest China, provided a high-resolution record of environmental change covering the last ~8.6 cal ka BP. Three major climate stages, 8.6–7.1, 7.1–2.0 and from 2.0 cal ka BP to the present, were divided by grain size and the authigenic carbonate stable isotope of the lake sediment. Climatic drought during the period 7.1–4.5 cal ka BP, deduced from Lake Barkol, prevailed in the mid-Holocene climate in northern Xinjiang and northwest Mongolia. In contrast, it was wet in central Xinjiang, northwest India and the Middle East during the same period. The climatic difference between northern and southern arid central Asia demonstrates the southward shifting of the Westerlies, which indicates the potential contribution of the Siberian high in the mid-Holocene.     

Holocene climate changes in the mid-high-latitude-monsoon margin reflected by the pollen record from Hulun Lake, northeastern Inner Mongolia

Pollen-assemblage data from a sediment core from Hulun Lake in northeastern Inner Mongolia describe the changes in the vegetation and climate of the East Asian monsoon margin during the Holocene. Dry steppe dominated the lake basin from ca. 11,000 to 8000 cal yr BP, suggesting a warm and dry climate. Grasses and birch forests expanded 8000 to 6400 cal yr BP, implying a remarkable increase in the monsoon precipitation. From 6400 to 4400 cal yr BP, the climate became cooler and drier. Chenopodiaceae dominated the interval from 4400 to 3350 cal yr BP, marking extremely dry condition. Artemisia recovered 3350-2050 cal yr BP, denoting an amelioration of climatic conditions. Both temperature and precipitation decreased 2050 to 1000 cal yr BP as indicated by decreased Artemisia and the development of pine forests. During the last 1000 yr, human activities might have had a significant influence on the environment of the lake region. We suggest that the East Asian summer monsoon did not become intensified until 8000 cal yr BP due to the existence of remnant ice sheets in the Northern Hemisphere. Changes in the monsoon precipitation on millennial to centennial scales would be related to ocean-atmosphere interactions in the tropical Pacific.     

First Reconstruction of the Habitat of Hunter-Gatherers in the Mamakan Archaeological Area in the Middle Holocene,Patom Highlands

The first radiocarbon-dated pollen record from the Mamakan section is presented. This record has become the basis for the reconstruction of the vegetation and climate of the Middle Holocene in the Mamakan archaeological area, where a number of well-known Siberian archaeological sites of the Late Mesolithic–Middle Bronze period are located. Reconstructions suggest that sparse spruce and larch stands dominated in the area between 6450 and 6150 cal BP. Later, from 6150 to 4700 cal BP, Scots pine began to spread in a warmer climate than before, following the general trend of its expansion in the southern part of Eastern Siberia. A cooler climate than previously with increased soil and air humidity occurred in the Mamakan region from 4700 to 3840 cal BP, causing the regional expansion of Siberian pine. The time interval from 3840 to 3600 cal BP was characterized by the significant development of pine, spruce, and larch forests. On the basis of the age model, we assume that, in the lower reaches of the Vitim River and, probably, in other mountain regions north of Lake Baikal, Scots pine spread about 600 years later than in the Cis-Baikal region and east of the lake. This transition from dark coniferous-taiga to light coniferous-taiga with a predomination of Scots pine signifies the most fundamental change in vegetation of the Baikal region in the Holocene. This is often discussed as one of the possible causes of the Middle Neolithic cultural hiatus (6660–6060 cal BP), which has been documented in the archaeological records from different parts of this vast region. Reconstruction of vegetation in the Mamakan region suggests that the territory of the Nizhnii Vitim River has been favorable for humans during most of the hiatus recorded in the Cis-Baikal area and may have been considered as a refuge for populations of hunter-gatherers in the Middle Neolithic.

     

Holocene climate changes in southern Greenland: evidence from lake sediments

A Holocene lake sediment record is presented from Lake N14 situated on Angissoq Island 15 km off the main coast of southern Greenland. The palaeoclimatic development has been interpreted on the basis of flux and percentage content of biogenic silica, clastic material, organic material and sulphur as well as sedimentation rate, moss content and magnetic susceptibility. A total of 43 radiocarbon dates has ensured a reliable chronology. It is argued that varying sediment composition mainly reflects changing precipitation. By analogy with the present meteorological conditions in southern Greenland, Holocene climate development is inferred. Between 11 550 and 9300 cal. yr BP temperature and precipitation increase markedly, but this period is climatically unstable. From 9300 yr BP conditions become more stable and a Holocene climatic optimum, characterised by warm and humid conditions, is observed from 8000 to 5000 cal. yr BP. From 4700 cal. yr BP the first signs of a climatic deterioration are observed, and from 3700 cal. yr BP the climate has become more dry and cold. Superimposed on the climatic long‐term trend is climate variability on a centennial time‐scale that increases in amplitude after 3700 cal. yr BP. A climatic scenario related to the strength and position of the Greenland high‐pressure cell and the Iceland low‐pressure cell is proposed to explain the Holocene centennial climate variability. A comparison of the Lake N14 record with a terrestrial as well as a marine record from the eastern North Atlantic Ocean suggests that the centennial climate variability was uniform over large areas at certain times. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

贵州荔波1200年来石笋高分辨率的古气候环境记录

通过笔者对荔波龙泉洞L2石笋进行高精度的ICP-MS-230Th测年和碳、氧同位素分析, 建立了荔波地区1200 a BP 来高分辨率的古气候变化的时间序列。研究结果表明, 荔波地区1200 a BP以来石笋记录的季风气候经历了1200~1100 a BP(暖)、1100~940 a BP (冷)、940~840 a BP(暖)、840~700 a BP(冷)、700~450 a BP(暖)、450~300 a BP(冷)、300~200 a BP(暖)以及200~70 a BP(冷)等8个阶段百年尺度的干湿、冷暖波动, 并在这些百年尺度的波动上又叠加了一系列数十年尺度的气候变化。石笋记录揭示了1200 a以来东亚季风气候的不稳定性, 呈百年尺度(Gleissberg)的周期性变化。这些气候变化事件, 与冰芯记录极为相似, 反映低纬度地区百年尺度石笋记录的季风气候变化与高纬度及北极地区的气候变化具有极好的相关性, 反映百年尺度石笋记录的季风降水主要受太阳辐射驱动、控制, 而东亚季风的降水事件(或干旱事件)与太阳的辐射强度密切相关。石笋记录的百年尺度季风降水事件对于认识现代气候系统变化以及对未来十年—百年尺度的气候预测和演化的驱动机制, 具有重要的科学意义。     

Environmental change and cultural response between 8000 and 4000 cal. yr BP in the western Loess Plateau,northwest China

Two ancient swamps in the western Loess Plateau, northwest China record the climate history between 8000 and 4000 cal. yr BP. Grain size, CaCO₃, organic matter, mollusc fauna and pollen assemblages show that climate was wet between 8300 and 7400 cal. yr BP, distinctly humid and warm between 7400 and 6700 cal. yr BP, semi‐humid from 6700 to 6300 cal. yr BP, and semi‐arid between 6300 and 4000 cal. yr BP. The temporal and spatial distribution of archaeological sites shows that the prosperity of the neolithic cultures in the western part of the Chinese Loess Plateau did not appear until the climate changed to semi‐arid, implying that the semi‐arid climate was more favourable than wet and humid climate to neolithic peoples, whose subsistence was based on cereals adapted to arid environments. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

甘青文化区新石器文化的时空变化 和可能的环境动力*

气候变化引起的环境系统的变动,可以对史前文化的时空分布产生决定性的影响。甘青文化区是我国古文明发祥地之一。这里新石器文化非常发达,遗址丰富,类型齐全,为一个自成体系的古文化中心。通过分析不同类型的新石器文化的时空分布的变化,发现自大地湾文化至马家窑文化时期,研究区文化在空间上扩张,而后逐步向南退缩。这一变化和气候的干湿状况的变化密切相关。5kaB.P.气候逐步趋向干旱,导致文化分布上的空间差异,至齐家文化时期,研究区105°E以西遗址点的空间分布大大地向南收缩,而105°E以东齐家文化的分布范围和仰韶文化基本一致。     

Vegetation and climate c. 12 300–9000 cal. yr BP at Andøya,NW Norway

Owing to proximity of the North Atlantic Stream and the shelf, the Andøya biota are assumed to have responded rapidly to climatic changes taking place after the Weichselian glaciation. Palynological, macrofossil, loss‐on‐ignition, tephra and ¹⁴C data from three sites at the northern part of the island of Andøya were studied. The period 12 300–11 950 cal. yr BP was characterized by polar desert vegetation, and 11 950–11 050 cal. yr BP by a moisture‐demanding predominantly low‐arctic Oxyria vegetation. During the period 11 050–10 650 cal. yr BP, there was a climatic amelioration towards a sub‐arctic climate and heaths dominated by Empetrum. After 10 650 cal. yr BP the Oxyria vegetation disappeared. As early as about 10 800 cal. yr BP the bryozoan Cristatella mucedo indicated a climate sufficient for Betula woodland. However, tree birch did not establish until 10 420–10 250 cal. yr BP, indicating a time‐lag for the formation of Betula ecotypes adapted to the oceanic climate of Andøya. From about 10 150 to 9400 cal. yr BP the summers were dry and warm. There was a change towards moister, though comparatively warm, climatic conditions about 9400 cal. yr BP. The present data are compared with evidence from marine sediments and the deglaciation history in the region. It is suggested that during most of the period 11 500–10 250 cal. yr BP a similar situation as in present southern Greenland existed, with birch woodland in the inner fjords near the ice sheet and low‐arctic heath vegetation along the outer coast.     

Holocene vegetation and climatic variations in Central India: A study based on multiproxy evidences

Palynology, texture, mineralogy, geochemistry, and magnetic susceptibility analysis of a 2 m deep sediment core from Padauna Swamp, southeastern Madhya Pradesh infers that between 8600 and 7500 cal yr BP a warm and relatively less-humid climate prevailed with open tree-savannahs dominated by grasses followed by sedges, Artemisia and members of Chenopodiaceae/Amaranthaceae with scanty trees viz., Schrebera, Aegle marmelos and Sterculia urens. This is well supported by lower organic to carbonate carbon ratio, coarser texture having relatively low CIA and magnetic susceptibility values and presence of some primary minerals. Between 7500 and 6250 cal yr BP the tree-savannahs were succeeded by open mixed deciduous forests with the invasion of a few more trees viz., Madhuca indica, Holoptelea, Emblica officinalis, Mitragyna parvifolia and members of Anacardiaceae in response to onset of a warm and humid climate. A considerable rise in organic carbon generated from the degradation of plentiful biomass along with increase in clay content with signs of kaolinite and increase in immobile over mobile elements with slightly higher CIA and magnetic susceptibility values also suggest climatic amelioration. The presence of ruderal plants such as Artemisia, Cannabis sativa and Cheno/Am further infers initiation of human activities in the region. Between 6250 and 2800 cal yr BP, the mixed deciduous forests became more diverse and dense, subduing grasses and other herbaceous elements. Sporadic incursion of Shorea robusta (Sal) in forest floristic was recorded around 5000 cal yr BP. The overall change in the vegetation mosaic reflects that a warm and more-humid climate prevailed in the region, probably on account of invigoration of southwest monsoon. This observation is further corroborated by other proxy data showing a spurt in organic/inorganic carbon ratio, increase in clay content with matured mineralogy, significantly higher CIA and magnetic susceptibility values. Since 2800 cal yr BP onwards, the modern Sal dominated deciduous forests were established indicating continuation of warm and more-humid climate including timely arrival of SW monsoon coinciding with the shedding of Sal seeds as they are viable for a very short period.     

The last 25,000 years in the Eastern Plateau of Southern Brazil according to Alpes de São Francisco record

The palaeoenvironmental history has been studied based on palynology of a sedimentary profile from the Alpes de São Francisco bog (29°29′35′′S, 50°37′18′′W), São Francisco de Paula municipality, Rio Grande do Sul eastern Plateau, extreme Southern Brazil. The results indicate a regional cold and dry climate between 25,000 and 12,500 yr BP, interpreted from the grassland vegetation, forest taxa were present in refuges and the shallow local lake began to fill in. Climatic conditions became more aride after 16,000 yr BP, when grassland became rare. From 12,500 yr BP onwards, the climate began to change and at 11,000–9700 yr BP a warm and moist climate permitted the slight migration of pioneer arboreal taxa from refuges and locally a marsh formation. Between 9700 and 6500 yr BP a warm and dry climate resulted in reduction of grassland, confined the forest in refuges, dried out the marsh. The gradual increase of humidity between 6500 and 4000 yr BP allowed migration of forests from refuges and a bog developed. Between 4000 and 2000 yr BP Araucaria forest spread, indicating moister climate. The local bog expanded. From 2000 yr BP onwards, humid but warmer climate seems to result in a lower reproductive capacity of Araucaria forest taxa limiting its expansion. The bog reached the present-day in a decline condition. The results are compared to previous records from Southern Brazil highlands and some places from Argentina in order to better elucidate the climatic and vegetational history of these important South America areas during the late Quaternary.     

A review of Holocene avulsions of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers and possible effects on the evolution of civilizations in lower Mesopotamia

The role of avulsion in the evolution of civilization in lower Mesopotamia is widely recognized. Ancient settlements are closely associated with abandoned courses of the Euphrates and Tigris Rivers. This paper discusses avulsion history, controls of avulsions, their effects on civilization evolution from 7000 to 1000 yr B.P., and interactions between human activity and channel‐network evolution based on previous archaeological and geomorphological surveys, analysis of cuneiform texts, maps, satellite photos, and limited geological data. Settlement distribution in ancient Mesopotamia is modeled in relation to avulsion styles, as well as channel and sedimentation patterns. Avulsion belts are suggested as places where urban settlements emerged and were sustained. Multiple channel networks and avulsion belts created large, naturally irrigated areas, fostering the efficient agriculture needed to sustain dense rural and urban settlements. After channel networks were abandoned during delta evolution, largescale canal construction was required to sustain settlements but still could not prevent their decline. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

陕西临潼零口文化遗址脊椎动物遗骸的古环境意义

陕西省临潼零口遗址脊椎动物遗骸有Rhizomys sinensis,Hystrix hodgsoni,Nyctereutes procyonoides,Meles meles,moschus sp.,Ceruvs hortulorum,Elaphurus davidianus,Caprinae,Gazella sp.,Bovinae,Sus domesticus,Phasianidae和Cyprinoid，可分为5层位，其年代为7300aBP 380-6220aBP 407和仰韶西王村类型。动物生态、动物地理及其他气候替代性指标显示了零口文化和仰韶文化的1500年间包含了2个相连续、但不完整的气候演变周期。每个气候演化延续时间约为700－800a。气候演化周期与文化发展周期基本吻合。     

青藏高原秋里南木湖盐类沉积韵律

盐类沉积韵律对研究湖泊环境及气候变迁有重要意义。对青藏高原秋里南木湖发现的芒硝、粘土和原生硼砂的韵律沉积进行了沉积速率和沉积韵律的分析。从物质来源、地貌和气候变化3个方面讨论了韵律形成的机制。在此基础上，利用矿物组成、年代、孢粉资料讨论了沉积物所反映的气候环境变化。结果表明，充足的物源和封闭的地貌环境是沉积韵律形成的物质条件，气候变化是主要外部动力。沉积韵律所反映的气候环境变化为：20.6~20.5 ka BP无芒硝，植被发育，气候相对温暖湿润；20.5~11.4 ka BP芒硝层很厚，植被类型过渡至以蒿为主的荒漠草原，气候干冷。其中，20.5~17.5 ka BP气候极端干旱寒冷，17.5~17.1 ka BP，15.9~15.2 ka BP和14.1~13.4 ka BP气温回升；11.4~10.1 ka BP芒硝层很薄，植物种类丰富，气候显著变暖；10.1~7.5 ka BP芒硝层厚度增加，木本植物花粉进一步降低，盘星藻消失，气候变冷；7.5~4.97 ka BP芒硝层厚度减小，但厚薄不一，植被过渡到以蒿为主的典型草原，气候相对暖湿，但冷暖交替频繁，其中7.0~6.2 ka BP蒿含量下降，湿生植物含量增加，气候冷湿，6.2~5.2 ka BP耐干旱、盐碱植物增加，禾本科消失，湖水盐度增加，气候冷干。     

Mid-Holocene vegetation and climatic variability in tropical deciduous sal (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Shorea robusta</Emphasis>) forest of Lower Brahmaputra valley,Assam

One 2.5 m lacustrine sedimentary profile dated back to 6340 years BP from Deosila swamp under Rangjuli Reserve forest of Assam, Northeast India has been pollen analyzed for tracing past vegetation vis à vis climate variability since mid-Holocene. The pollen diagram has deciphered that during 6340 to 2970 years BP, tropical tree savannah type of vegetation grew in the region chiefly constituted of grasses interspersed with scattered trees of Salmalia, Dillenia, Emblica, Meliaceae along with sporadic presence of Artocarpus chaplasha, Symplocos, Ilex, Schima and Shorea robusta under relatively less cool and dry climatic condition with a little ameliorating trend at the upper column. The vegetation scenario implies poor growth of arboreals due to harsh abiotic dynamics causing changes in drainage system. Subsequently during 2970 to 1510 years BP, tropical mixed deciduous forest succeeded tree savannah with invasion of Shorea robusta, Lagerstroemia, Lannea, Semecarpus and Acacia under warm and humid climate. The gradual enrichment of organic soil might have been conducive for better growth of both deciduous and semi evergreen arboreals as found today. However, during 1510 to 540 years BP, the forest groves became more strengthened resulting establishment of tropical deciduous Sal forest. Steady increment of Shorea robusta along with Lannea, Lagerstroemia, Terminalia, Sapotaceae, Albizia and Adina was observed probably due to influence of active SW monsoon under increased warm and humid climatic regime. This is well substantiated by the consistent occurrence of marshy and aquatic taxa along with ferns and fungal remains. Finally during 540 years BP onward the reduced forest floristics have obviously been envisaged the change in climate which turned to warm and relatively dry probably attributable to the weak monsoon rainfall. The acceleration in human settlement during this phase is evidenced by Cerealia and by the increase of Melastoma, Ziziphus and Areca catechu implying forest clearance.     

Patterns of human occupation during the early Holocene in the Central Ebro Basin (NE Spain) in response to the 8.2 ka climatic event

The Central Ebro River Basin (NE Spain) is the most northern area of truly semi-arid Mediterranean climate in Europe and prehistoric human occupation there has been strongly influenced by this extreme environmental condition. Modern climate conditions single out this region due to the harsh environment, characterised by the highest absolute summer temperatures of the Ebro River Basin. The Bajo Aragón region (SE Ebro River Basin) was intensively populated during the Early Holocene (9400-8200 cal yr BP) but the settlements were abandoned abruptly at around 8200 cal yr BP. We propose that this “archaeological silence” was caused by the regional impact of the global abrupt 8.2 ka cold event. Available regional paleoclimate archives demonstrate the existence of an aridity crisis then that interrupted the humid Early Holocene. That environmental crisis would have forced hunter-gatherer groups from the Bajo Aragón to migrate to regions with more favourable conditions (i.e. more humid mountainous areas) and only return in the Neolithic. Coherently, archaeological sites persist during this crisis in the nearby Iberian Range (Maestrazgo) and the North Ebro River area (Pre-Pyrenean mountains and along the northwestern Ebro Basin).