A high-quality annually laminated sequence from Lake Belau, Northern Germany: Revised chronology and its implications for palynological and tephrochronological studies

The annually laminated record of Lake Belau offers an exceptional opportunity to investigate with high temporal resolution Holocene environmental change, aspects of climate history and human impact on the landscape. A new chronology based on varve counts, 14C-datings and heavy metal history has been established, covering the last 9400 years. Based on multiple varve counting on two core sequences, the easily countable laminated section spans about 7850 varve years (modelled age range c. 9430 to 1630 cal. BP). Not all of the record is of the same quality but approximately 69% of the varves sequence is classified to be of high quality and only c. 5% of low quality. The new chronology suggests dates generally c. 260 years older than previously assumed for the laminated section of the record. The implications for the vegetation and land-use history of the region as well as revised datings for pollen stratigraphical events are discussed. Tephra analysis allowed the identification of several cryptotephra layers. New dates for volcanic eruptions are presented for the Lairg B event (c. 6848 cal. BP, 2s range 6930–6713 cal. BP), the Hekla 4 event (c. 4396 cal. BP, 2s range 4417–4266 cal. BP), and Hekla 3 eruption (c. 3095 cal. BP, 2s range 3120–3068 cal. BP)

A budgeting approach for estimating matter fluxes in archaeosediments, a new method to infer site formation and settlement activity: Examples from a transect of multi-layered Bronze Age settlement mounds

In this paper a novel approach for quantifying matter fluxes into archaeological sites is presented. Using the case studies of two multilayered sites with occupations before, during, and after the Bronze Age (Arslantepe and Niederröblingen), one Bronze Age multilayered site (Fidvár by Vráble), and a trash deposit from a fourth (Bresto), the potential of this method for investigating behavior and settlement activity of prehistoric inhabitants is illustrated. The results are generally in line with archaeological expectations considering the type of compared sites (different sized villages and towns/regional centers). Three examples of using this method for understanding site formation (sedimentation rates), changes in settlement activity, and paleodemography are provided for a discussion of the interpretive possibilities of matter fluxes. Although no cross-regional cultural changes specifically related to the Bronze Age can yet be identified, this quantification allows a better understanding of individual site development, i.e. in the increasing substitution of wood by loam in architecture at Niederröblingen from the Middle Bronze Age onwards. The pattern of calculated population sizes again fits archaeological expectations and is of the same order of magnitude as previously published population estimations based on other methods. At Arslantepe, the unique character of the Chalcolithic “palace period” is underlined by the very low number of inhabitants, suggesting that occupation of the tell during this period may have been restricted and a focus placed on administrative and ritual activities. Besides the illustrated potentials, limitations of the outlined approach are also considered. © 2019 Elsevier Lt

Historical soil erosion by water in Germany: Scales and archives, chronology, research perspectives

The published record of historical soil erosion by water in Germany as deduced from dated slope deposits (n = 306), alluvial sediments (n = 120) and lake sediments is summarized in this paper. The number of sediments investigated reflects the state of knowledge chronology of historical soil erosion and to a certain degree the intensity of the human impact on German landscapes during the Holocene Even though few data of calculated historical soil erosion intensities exist, an estimation of historical soil erosion in Germany combining the available data has been calculated Soil erosion in Germany occurred first locally during the Early Holocene, probably triggered by climatic variability From the Neolithic onward, the record reflects the human impact according to agricultural land use. The observed variability indicates phases of weaker and regained intensity of agricultural land use in Germany. Few records characterise the early and middle Bronze Age (ca. 2000-1600 BC), and the migration period and the early Medieval Times (ca. 400-1000 AD) Surprisingly, for the Roman Emperor Times (ca. 1-400 AD) a decreasing number of soil sediments is recorded even when the data from southern Germany is examined separately Phases characterised by an Increase in soil erosion were the late Bronze Age and pre-roman Iron Age (ca 1600 BC-1 AD), the high and late Medieval Times (ca 10001350 AD) and the Modern Times (ca 1500 AD until today). Some extraordinary heavy precipitation events (late 18th-early 19th, first half of 14th century, pre-roman Iron Age) topped the even high soil erosion intensities. Research gaps as well as potential for future research as derived from the available data are outlined (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd and INQU