People and the environment in the Mesolithic in the forest zone of Europe

In this comprehensive study of the Utinoe Boloto section (eastern Baltic region) using geochronological, lithological, palynological, NPP and palaeoanthracological analyses, we described vegetation dynamics and identified changes in soil erosion and fire activity during the Lateglacial and early Holocene periods. In the context of regional vegetation evolution, the results allowed us to identify local features that were likely related to anthropogenic impact. Through palaeoecological data, we documented the onset of colonization of the area through changes in vegetation cover (a reduction in tree species against a background maximum spreading of hazel and fern) and the peaks of fire activity and soil erosion during 10 300–8600 cal BP. Trampling of the soil cover at the site of ancient activity and deliberate deforestation of the surrounding area were assumed to have occurred during this period. Elevated hazel and fern content in the spore–pollen spectrum, along with macrocharcoal peaks, may have indicated the burning of forest areas to stimulate hazel growth, which was one of the most important plant resources for the subsistence of the Mesolithic people. The results of this study thus indicate that prehistoric humans played an active role in interacting with nature, and that their anthropogenic impact on the surrounding landscape and vegetation in the immediate vicinity of the site was already visible in the Mesolithic. Human activities at Utinoe Boloto in the Mesolithic coincide with the fenland stage of the palaeobasin.

Context (archaeology) · Deciduous · Deforestation (computer science) · Holocene · Mesolithic · Prehistory · Trampling · Vegetation (pathology) · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies · Geology and Paleoclimatology Research · Pleistocene-Era Hominins and Archaeology