Human palaeoenvironment in the Upper Kama River basin

Experience of Reconstruction

Bibliographic Data

ID4682485
AuthorsE L Lychagina (0000-0002-3277-2414, Perm State University, corresponding author), D A Demakov (0000-0002-3808-1673, Perm State University), A V Chernov (0000-0002-4613-3728), А В Чернов (0000-0001-7276-8180, Lomonosov Moscow State University), Nataliya E Zaretskaya (0000-0001-9194-7432, V. B. Sochava Institute of Geography), V Kopytov (0000-0002-0011-3748, Perm State University), E G Lapteva (0000-0003-4009-4067, Institute of Plant and Animal Ecology), Trofimova (0000-0003-0691-1270, Institute of Plant and Animal Ecology)
Year2021
Issue1(52
Pages5-19
Publication date2021-02-26
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueVestnik arheologii, antropologii i ètnografii (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1811-7465 • E-ISSN: 2071-0437
PublisherTyumen Scientific Center of the SB RAS (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.20874/2071-0437-2021-52-1-1
OpenAlexW3138274620
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited8

Here, we present the results of comprehensive (archaeological and palaeoecological) studies undertaken in 2014-2018 in the basin of the Upper Kama River in the north of Perm Region, eastern part of the East European Plain. The main objects for the research were archaeological sites, primarily their chronological attribution and localization specifics. In total, 100 sites belonging to a wide chronological range from the Mesolithic to the Late Middle Ages were identified in the study area. The palaeochannel method was used to identify the association of the archaeological sites to certain landscapes within the river valley. As a result, five morphologically diverse sectors have been identified. For the reconstruction of natural landscapes and plant communities, palynological and plant macrofossil methods were used. Radiocarbon analysis was used to date these events. The initial human habitation of the Upper Kama region took place in the early Holocene, after the formation of the 2nd and 1st river terraces. The Mesolithic sites have been dated to this period. They were located either on the second river terrace, or on the bedrock valley side. In the Middle Holocene, along with the spread of broad-leaved species in forests, 6th-5th floodplain generations were formed, and the river was characterized by high water content. The Neolithic sites located on the Kama river terraces belong to this period. In the end of the Middle Holocene, the maximum distribution of spruce forests began. This was the time of existence of the Garin Chalcolithic Culture settlements. They were located either on the 4th-5th floodplain generations, or on the bedrock valley side. In the end of the Subboreal and first half of the Subatlantic periods, a key role in the forest stand was played by pine, forming southern taiga light coniferous forests. The water content of the Kama decreased. The sites of the Early Iron Age, located on low terraces or in the floodplain, are dated to this time. In the second half of the Subatlantic period of the Holocene, forests acquired modern mid-taiga appearane, which coincided with the arrival of the medieval population. Medieval hillforts were located on the bedrock valley sides, and the settlements were associated with river terraces, shores of oxbow lakes and floodplains of small rivers

Archaeology · Bedrock · Bronze Age · Chalcolithic · Drainage basin · Floodplain · Fluvial · Geography · Holocene · Human settlement · Macrofossil · Mesolithic · Palynology · Pollen · Radiocarbon dating · River terraces · Structural basin · Ancient and Medieval Archaeology Studies · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies · Geology and Paleoclimatology Research · Ecology · Geology · Paleontology

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access