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Dynamics of paleoenvironments in the Cis-Ural steppes during the mid- to late Holocene

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 June 2018

Olga Khokhlova ,
Nina Morgunova ,
Alexander Khokhlov  and
Alexandra Golyeva
Olga Khokhlova*
Affiliation:
Institute of Physicochemical and Biological Problems in Soil Science, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Institutskaya 2, 142290, Pushchino, Moscow Region, Russia
Nina Morgunova
Affiliation:
Orenburg State Pedagogical University, ul. Sovetskaya, 19, 460014, Orenburg, Russia
Alexander Khokhlov
Affiliation:
Insitute of Cell Biophysics, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Institutskaya 3, 142290, Pushchino, Moscow Region, Russia
Alexandra Golyeva
Affiliation:
Institute of Geography, Russian Academy of Sciences, Staromonetnyi pereulok, 29, 119017, Moscow, Russia
*
*Corresponding author at: Institute of Physicochemical and Biological Problems in Soil Science, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Institutskaya 2, 142290, Pushchino, Moscow Region, Russia. E-mail address: olga_004@rambler.ru (O. Khokhlova).
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Abstract

The multi-layered settlement of Turganik in the Tok River valley (steppe region west of the Urals) has been studied using paleopedological and microbiomorphical methods. Early humans lived in the settlement during the Eneolithic epoch (the fifth millennium BC) and in the Early Bronze Age (the fourth millennium BC). The cultural layers attributable to the Atlantic period of the Holocene developed under conditions of a rather dry climate, with the landscapes being dominated by the grass and herb steppe. The settlement area was above the flood water level and was suitable for habitation. The soils in its vicinity were Kastanozems (Endosalic Protosodic). The final stages of the cultural layer formation bear traces of strong (though short-term) floods, with the deposits of the latter partly concealed traces of the preceding long-term arid phase. Maximum aridity was during the final interval of the Atlantic period. The Subboreal and Subatlantic periods were noted for meadow-chernozem soil formation (Luvic Chernozems [Stagnic]) and an increasing proportion of arboreal species in the pollen assemblages. Some phytoliths of aquatic plants were found in the assemblages dominated by those of meadow grasses. The climate was more humid and cool, although short episodes of aridity were possible.

Keywords

Multi-layered settlementCultural layersPaleopedological methodMicrobiomorphical methodPhytolithsPaleoenvironmental reconstructionsEneolithicEarly Bronze Age
Type
Thematic Set: Drylands
Information
Quaternary Research , Volume 91 , Issue 1 , January 2019 , pp. 96 - 110
Copyright
Copyright © University of Washington. Published by Cambridge University Press, 2018 

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