Evidence for Holocene Aeolian Activity at the Close of the Middle Bronze Age in the Eastern Carpathian Basin: Geoarchaeological Results from the Mureş River Valley, Romania

Abstract

While extensive Pleistocene loess deposits have been identified across Eurasia, Holocene age loess (typically nonglaciogenic) is rarely recognized. We explore possible loess deposits in the Mureş River Valley of western Romania, providing a regional signal of increased aridity during the mid‐late Holocene. This proposed aridity may be responsible for the abandonment of Middle Bronze Age tell settlements along the major drainages of the eastern Carpathian Basin (Pannonian plain). This hypothesis centers on a proposed aeolian deposit (the “Pecica deposit”), a ca. 50–80 cm thick, relatively homogeneous, gray layer blanketing the top of the Bronze Age tell of Pecica—Şanţul Mare. Comparing the morphological, geochemical, and physical characteristics of this specific tell deposit with two representative profiles near the site containing glaciogenic calcareous loess and potential Holocene loess deposits developed in Chernozems, we find significant similarities to support this hypothesis. We then review various forms of proxy data published from elsewhere in Central and Eastern Europe suggesting a warming trend during this period. The temporal placement of the Pecica deposit is bracketed using diagnostic artifacts, radiocarbon dates, and the degree of soil development, suggesting a period of increased aridity likely occurring soon after the 17th century B.C.

Eolian Deposition and Soil Fertility in a Prehistoric Agricultural Complex in Central Arizona, USA

“…Dust inputs over very long timeframes (Pleistocene and/or Holocene; e.g., Sherwood et al 2013) could have led to high agricultural potential, but here we consider continuing inputs. While chemical weathering of bedrock releases mineral-derived nutrients to the bottom of the soil column, dust deposits nutrients to the soil surface, directly into the rooting zone of crops.…”

“…While chemical weathering of bedrock releases mineral-derived nutrients to the bottom of the soil column, dust deposits nutrients to the soil surface, directly into the rooting zone of crops. Dust inputs over very long timeframes (Pleistocene and/or Holocene; e.g., Sherwood et al 2013) could have led to high agricultural potential, but here we consider continuing inputs. Furthermore, biologically important nutrients are enriched within dust particles, and they are likely to be easily weathered due to relatively high surface area (Li et al, 2007;Lawrence & Neff, 2009).…”