6 - General conclusions

Summary

CLIMATE CHANGES DURING THE HOLOCENE: GLOBAL CORRELATION

In Fig. 6.1, representative time series from the regions discussed in the preceding chapters are correlated. From the correlation lines suggested in this figure, it can be concluded the main climate changes that occurred during the Holocene in the Levant can be traced in all other regions, although the range and nature of impact on the hydrological cycle differed from one region to another. As was discussed in Chapter 1, the archaeological stratigraphy in the Levant was by and large decided by the main climate changes. Moreover, archaeological investigations as well as historical documentation in this region are most extensive compared with other regions of the globe (Issar and Zohar, under revision). It is, therefore, suggested that the archaeological–paleo-climatic stratigraphy of the Levant should be adopted as the basic chronostratigraphy of the Holocene on a global scale.

The main chronostratigraphical divisions are listed in the key under Fig. 6.1 (from bottom to top) and shown on the diagram.

Some general conclusions can be drawn concerning the climate changes on a global scale demonstrated in Fig. 6.1.

1. During the Holocene, the global climate went through more than a few pronounced changes, which affected the hydrological cycle, the impacts of which were different from region to region on the time, temperature and humidity scales.

2. In the regions dominated by the westerlies, described earlier in this book (the circum-Mediterranean region, western and central Europe and western USA), cold climate brought more precipitation, which caused the hydrological systems to overflow. In the higher latitudes and altitudes, this cold climate caused glaciation. In these regions, warm climates, by comparison, led to less precipitation, causing desertification of the regions along the margins of the deserts.

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