Multi-proxy records of Mesolithic activity in the Lubuskie Lakeland (western Poland)

Abstract

The results of high-resolution records of pollen, plant macroremains and charred plant particles, diatoms, Cladocera and geochemistry from a 14 C-dated core, and geomorphological studies enabled the reconstruction of landscape development at a site in western Poland which was occupied by Mesolithic hunter-gatherer groups. Special attention was paid to the evidence of human activities recorded in the sediments of the palaeolake located next to the archaeological site. The presence of pollen types from communities characteristic of openings in the forest, macroscopic/microscopic charcoal, and charred particles of herbaceous plants (mostly from between 5500 and 4600 bc, with clearly visible maxima ca 5300, 4900 and 4700 bc) evidence the changes related to these various kinds of activities. These analyses allowed us to reconstruct the fire events at and around the site as well as to consider whether they originated from natural or human induced fires. The increase in the biogenic sediments of elements such as Na, K and Mg indicate an intensive erosion of mineral soil between 5100 and 4600 bc, mirroring human activity in the vicinity of the Kopanica site. In addition, Cladocera analysis permitted a detailed recognition of palaeolake eutrophication ca 7200-4600 bc, also eutrophication induced by human impact between 5100 and 4600 bc.

On the border between land and water: The environmental conditions of the Neolithic occupation from 4.3 until 1.6 ka BC at Serteya, Western Russia

“…The dominance of coarse silt (four to five times) over fine silt indicates sediment transport under conditions of short‐term suspension and saltation. Human occupation during relatively warm climatric conditions probably caused an increase in erosion, as is reported at other archaeological sites (Kittel, 2015; Sobkowiak‐Tabaka et al, 2020).…”

Lithology and geochemistry of the Late Glacial and Holocene sediments from Gostyń Lake (Western Pomerania, Myślibórz Lakeland)

“…Nevertheless, the timing of a distinct increase in the mechanical denudation in both Racze Lake (Bloom 2015) and Gostyń Lake was similar, i.e., about 5,500 b2k. An increased supply of allochthonous geochemical components at that time was observed also by Tobolski (1987) in the Kluki peat bog deposits and Sobkowiak-Tabaka et al (2020) in the Kopanica peat bog.…”

Direct morpho-chemical characterization of elusive plant residues from Aurignacian Pontic Steppe ground stones

“…More consistent evidence of intentional starch processing emerged during the Gravettian, when grinding stones and pestles from the Italian peninsula and central Europe sites clearly were used to mechanically tenderize underground storage organs (USOs) to obtain a coarselyground flour 13,14 . Charred plant remains used as food are also reported for late Mesolithic sites from northern Europe (Ertebolle, a coastal settlement in southern Scandinavia 15 and Lubuskie Lakeland in Poland 16 ).…”