Geology, stratigraphy and palaeoenvironmental evolution of the Stephanorhinus kirchbergensis‐bearing Quaternary palaeolake(s) of Gorzów Wielkopolski (NW Poland, Central Europe)

Abstract

The sedimentary succession exposed in the Gorzów Wielkopolski area includes Eemian Interglacial (MIS 5e) or Early Weichselian (MIS 5d-e) deposits. The sedimentary sequence has been the object of intense interdisciplinary study, which has resulted in the identification of at least two palaeolake horizons. Both yielded fossil remains of large mammals, alongside pollen and plant macrofossils. All these proxies have been used to reconstruct the environmental conditions prevailing at the time of deposition, as well as to define the geological context and the biochronological position of the fauna. Optically stimulated luminescence dating of the glaciofluvial layers of the GS3 succession to 123.6 ± 10.1 (below the lower palaeolake) and 72.0 ± 5.2 ka (above the upper palaeolake) indicate that the site formed during the Middle-Late Pleistocene (MIS 6 -MIS 5). Radiocarbon-dating of the lacustrine organic matter revealed a tight cluster of Middle Pleniglacial Period (MIS 3) ages in the range of~41-32 ka cal BP (Hengelo -Denekamp Interstadials). Holocene organic layers have also been found, with 14 C ages within a range of 4330-4280 cal BP (Neolithic). Pollen and plant macrofossil records, together with sedimentological and geochemical data, confirm the dating to the Eemian Interglacial.

Browsers, grazers or mix-feeders? Study of the diet of extinct Pleistocene Eurasian forest rhinoceros Stephanorhinus kirchbergensis (Jäger, 1839) and woolly rhinoceros Coelodonta antiquitatis (Blumenbach, 1799)

“…1) were studied. This specimen was buried in lacustrine sediments originating during the Eemian Interglacial (MIS 5e) (Sobczyk et al, 2020). The skeleton from Gorzów Wielkopolski was found in gyttja sandwiched between sediments dated with OSL between 123.6±10.1 (lower horizon) and 98.8±7.9 ka (upper horizon) (Sobczyk et al, 2020).…”

“…Stephanorhinus kirchbergensis (Jäager, 1839) and Coelodonta antiquitatis (Blumenbach, 1799). The first one is originated from Gorzów Wielkopolski (Poland) from the Eemian Interglacial (Sobczyk et al, 2020) and the latter came from Starunia (Ukraine) from the Vistulian (Szafer, 1930). Previous findings of plant remains in fossas of the fossil teeth are uncommon, so the finding of a unique plant-rich assemblage of S. kirchbergensis from Gorzów Wielkopolski may significantly broaden our knowledge concerning food choices by this species.…”

Luminescence Dating Procedures at the Gliwice Luminescence Dating Laboratory

“…Both yielded fossil remains of large mammals, alongside pollen and plant macrofossils. All these proxies have been used to reconstruct the environmental conditions prevailing at the time of deposition as well as to define the geological context and the biochronological position of the fauna (Sobczyk et al, 2020 (Moska et al, 2020). • 'Correlation of primary loess profiles of Ukraine based on luminescence dates' -project concerns the issues of age as well as lithological and pedological development of the loess-paleosol sequences selected after direct research at the Ukraine territory.…”

Pleistocene freshwater environments of Poland: a comprehensive study of fish assemblages based on a multi‐proxy approach

“…In 2016, a sedimentary profile yielding an almost complete skeleton of the forest rhinoceros Stephanorhinus kirchbergensis (Jäger 1839) was discovered in Gorzów Wielkopolski (Sobczyk et al . 2020). Fish remains were also found together with other materials in the profile.…”

“…In Gorzów Wielkopolski, gyttja was replaced by peat during pollen zone E6, which indicates the disappearance of the lake or its transformation into a bog (Sobczyk et al . 2020; Stefaniak et al . 2020).…”