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The Laacher See eruption (LSE) in Germany ranks among Europe’s largest volcanic events of the Upper Pleistocene1,2. Although tephra deposits of the LSE represent an important isochron for the synchronization of proxy archives at the Late Glacial to Early Holocene transition3, uncertainty in the age of the eruption has prevailed4. Here we present dendrochronological and radiocarbon measurements of subfossil trees that were buried by pyroclastic deposits that firmly date the LSE to 13,006 ± 9 calibrated years before present (bp; taken as ad 1950), which is more than a century earlier than previously accepted. The revised age of the LSE necessarily shifts the chronology of European varved lakes5,6 relative to the Greenland ice core record, thereby dating the onset of the Younger Dryas to 12,807 ± 12 calibrated years bp, which is around 130 years earlier than thought. Our results synchronize the onset of the Younger Dryas across the North Atlantic–European sector, preclude a direct link between the LSE and Greenland Stadial-1 cooling7, and suggest a large-scale common mechanism of a weakened Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation under warming conditions8–10. A revised date for the Laacher See eruption using measurements of subfossil trees shifts the chronology of European varved lakes relative to the Greenland ice core record, synchronizing the onset of the Younger Dryas across the North Atlantic–European sector.

Loess-Palaeosol-Sequences (LPS) in the Central European region provide outstanding terrestrial polygenetic and multiphase archives responding to past climate and environments over various spatial and temporal scales. As yet, however, the geomorphological and pedogenic processes involved in LPS formation, and their interplay with changes in ecological conditions, impede robust correlation with other palaeoenvironmental archives. The Schwalbenberg LPS, which drape a hillslope in the Middle Rhine Valley in western Central Europe, provide unique high-resolution records highly suitable for investigating the processes involved in their formation and the relationship to climatic influences during the Upper Pleistocene. Here we present the first comprehensive multi-proxy dataset for the Schwalbenberg LPS over four dimensions. We undertake systematic analyses along a representative slope transect using surface-based geophysical prospection in combination with Direct Push hydraulic profiling to characterise the subsurface stratigraphy in detail. We integrate selected sedimentological and geochemical proxy data from three long sediment cores and two profile sections to build a complete stratigraphical succession for the Schwalbenberg LPS. We show that the transect approach allows quantification of different formation phases, whether accumulative, erosive or pedogenic in character. In so doing we overcome the bias inherent in studies of individual sections and enable robust and reliable correlation with other climate archives. For the time interval ~ 80–15 ka BP correlation of combined lithostratigraphic features and organic carbon contents from Schwalbenberg with the Sofular and NGRIP δ18O-records can be established at millennial to centennial scale resolution, highlighting the sensitivity of western European LPS to the Atlantic-driven climate oscillations in much more detail than in any other terrestrial archive known in the region so far.

In this paper we explore the meaning of the word probability, not in general terms, but restricted to the field of radiocarbon dating, where it has the meaning of ‘dating probability assigned to calibrated 14C-ages’. The intention of our study is to improve our understanding of certain properties of radiocarbon dates, which – although mathematically abstract – are fundamental both for the construction of age models in prehistoric archaeology, as well as for an adequate interpretation of their reliability.

Around 8200 calBP, large parts of the now submerged North Sea continental shelf (‘Doggerland’) were catastrophically flooded by the Storegga Slide tsunami, one of the largest tsunamis known for the Holocene, which was generated on the Norwegian coastal margin by a submarine landslide. In the present paper, we derive a precise calendric date for the Storegga Slide tsunami, use this date for reconstruction of contemporary coastlines in the North Sea in relation to rapidly rising sea-levels, and discuss the potential effects of the tsunami on the contemporaneous Mesolithic population. One main result of this study is an unexpectedly high tsunami impact assigned to the western regions of Jutland.

Recently, in an intercomparison of the Hohenheim German oak chronology (Becker 1993) and the Göttingen chronology (Leuschner and Delorme 1988), an error was discovered in the former (Leuschner, in preparation). Due to an error in adding sections at 5241 bc, 41 yr are missing in the published Hohenheim chronology. After correction of the error, the two chronologies synchronize over their entire common length, back to 7200 bc.

This contribution presents the status quo of research on the Final Palaeolithic occupation of Schleswig-Holstein. Overthe last two decades new insights became possible based on isotopic, genetic, biostratigraphic, tephrochronologic, andarchaeological analyses. Some of these projects and studies are still on-going. The material on which these analyseswere performed was mainly uncovered during the 20th century. We particularly focus on the chronology and the differentchallenges associated with the Late Glacial record. To do so, we review the radiocarbon dating record of Schleswig-Holstein and adjacent areas, especially Denmark, including 11 new radiocarbon dates from the sites of Stellmoor andMeiendorf. At present, in particular, the period of the Federmessergruppen (i. e., curve-backed point industries) appearspoorly represented in this record. This shortage is due to preservational conditions on the one hand, as well as theoften uncertain attribution of osseous single finds to archaeological entities on the other. Hence, a synoptic analysis ofosseous remains of Late Glacial northern Germany and southern Scandinavia is desirable.The recently introduced partially laminated biostratigraphic lake sequence from Nahe LA 11 contains three cryptictephra layers including the first geochemically identified evidence of the Laacher See Tephra in Schleswig-Holstein. Thepalynological analysis of this archive interlinks palaeoenvironmental with archaeological research questions. Amongstother implications, the data provided here suggest a continuity of human and reindeer presence in the area until theearly Holocene. This result lines up with observations of shifting ecological zones throughout the Weichselian LateGlacial in Schleswig-Holstein.

International audience; The topic of this research paper is a discussion on the relevance of the sole use of absolute dating for the culturalattribution of bone artefacts. Lyngby-axes are an artefact-type indicative of a single culture of the Late-Glacial, thoughradiometric dates suggest that a wider time period can be represented. It is discussed whether the direct dating of theutilised animal-based material always accurately reflects the age of the technology used to implement the artefact asa relevant cultural item. The technological approach used here points to the gathering of fossil antler, targeted asa convenient raw material for this tool.

Bei Orp East hat die Fundkonzentration eine hexagonale Form, ist 4,5m lang und hat eine maximale Breite von 3,8m. Ihre Grenzen sind gekennzeichnet durch eine deutliche Abnahme der Funddichte oder durch eine Zunahme der Fundmengen pro Einheit in Verbindung mit einer deutlichen Abnahme der Anzahl von Funden außerhalb. Die Grenzen der Fundkonzentration werden durch zahlreiche Werkzeuge und Kerne, die sich dort angesammelt haben, und durch mehrere Verbindungslinien von Artefaktzusammenpassungen betont, die an der Grenze enden. Diese Hinweise auf ehemals wirksame Grenzen der Fundkonzentration werden als Indizien für das Vorhandensein einer Behausung interpretiert. Die Wohnung hatte einen zentralen Herd mit einer erweiterten Arbeitszone, die extrem reich an Werkabfall, Kernen und Werkzeugen und räumlich streng begrenzt ist. Der Bereich dieses Herdes wurde systematisch vertieft und hat gerade Kanten. Die zentrale Feuerstelle wurde möglicherweise von einer kleineren Feuerstelle in der Nähe und von flachen Gruben und Vertiefungen begleitet. In der NW- und SE-Hälfte der vermuteten Behausung gibt es zwei unterschiedliche Arbeitsbereiche., At Orp East the find concentration has a hexagonal shape, is 4.5m in length and has a maximum width of 3.8m. Its boundaries are marked by a clear decrease in find density or by an increase of find quantities per unit in connection with a clear decrease of numbers of finds externally. The boundaries of the find concentration are accentuated by numerous tools and cores which accumulated there, and by several refitting lines which terminate at the boundary. These indications for formerly effective limits to the find concentration are interpreted as showing the presence of adwelling. The dwelling had a central hearth with an extended working zone, which is extremely rich in debitage, cores and tools and is spatially strictly confined. The area of this hearth has been deepened in a systematic manner, and it has straight edges. The central hearth was possibly accompanied by a smaller fireplace nearby and by shallow pits and depressions. There are two distinct working zones in the NW and SE halves of the presumed dwelling., À Orp Est, la concentration d’objets lithiques a une forme hexagonale, une longueur de 4,5 m et une largeur maximale de 3,8 m. Son marges sont marquées par une nette diminution de la densité des artefacts ou par une augmentation des quantités d'objets lithiques par unité avec une nette diminution du nombre d'objets a l'extérieur. Les limites de la concentration d’objets archéologiques sont accentuées par des nombreux outils et nucleus qui s'y sont accumulés, et par plusieurs lignes de raccord entre les artefacts qui se terminent à la limite. Ces indications concernant les limites de concentration autrefois en vigueur sont interprétées comme indiquant la présence d'un logement. L'habitation était dotée d'un foyer central avec une zone de travail étendue, extrêmement riche en débitage, en nucleus et en outils et est strictement confiné. La zone de ce foyer a été approfondie de manière systématique, et a des bords droits. Le foyer central était peut-être accompagné d'un foyer plus petit à proximité, de fosses peu profondes et des dépressions. Il y a deux zones de travail distinctes dans les moitiés NO et SE du logement présumé.

Bei Orp East hat die Fundkonzentration eine hexagonale Form, ist 4,5m lang und hat eine maximale Breite von 3,8m. Ihre Grenzen sind gekennzeichnet durch eine deutliche Abnahme der Funddichte oder durch eine Zunahme der Fundmengen pro Einheit in Verbindung mit einer deutlichen Abnahme der Anzahl von Funden außerhalb. Die Grenzen der Fundkonzentration werden durch zahlreiche Werkzeuge und Kerne, die sich dort angesammelt haben, und durch mehrere Verbindungslinien von Artefaktzusammenpassungen betont, die an der Grenze enden. Diese Hinweise auf ehemals wirksame Grenzen der Fundkonzentration werden als Indizien für das Vorhandensein einer Behausung interpretiert. Die Wohnung hatte einen zentralen Herd mit einer erweiterten Arbeitszone, die extrem reich an Werkabfall, Kernen und Werkzeugen und räumlich streng begrenzt ist. Der Bereich dieses Herdes wurde systematisch vertieft und hat gerade Kanten. Die zentrale Feuerstelle wurde möglicherweise von einer kleineren Feuerstelle in der Nähe und von flachen Gruben und Vertiefungen begleitet. In der NW- und SE-Hälfte der vermuteten Behausung gibt es zwei unterschiedliche Arbeitsbereiche., At Orp East the find concentration has a hexagonal shape, is 4.5m in length and has a maximum width of 3.8m. Its boundaries are marked by a clear decrease in find density or by an increase of find quantities per unit in connection with a clear decrease of numbers of finds externally. The boundaries of the find concentration are accentuated by numerous tools and cores which accumulated there, and by several refitting lines which terminate at the boundary. These indications for formerly effective limits to the find concentration are interpreted as showing the presence of adwelling. The dwelling had a central hearth with an extended working zone, which is extremely rich in debitage, cores and tools and is spatially strictly confined. The area of this hearth has been deepened in a systematic manner, and it has straight edges. The central hearth was possibly accompanied by a smaller fireplace nearby and by shallow pits and depressions. There are two distinct working zones in the NW and SE halves of the presumed dwelling., À Orp Est, la concentration d’objets lithiques a une forme hexagonale, une longueur de 4,5 m et une largeur maximale de 3,8 m. Son marges sont marquées par une nette diminution de la densité des artefacts ou par une augmentation des quantités d'objets lithiques par unité avec une nette diminution du nombre d'objets a l'extérieur. Les limites de la concentration d’objets archéologiques sont accentuées par des nombreux outils et nucleus qui s'y sont accumulés, et par plusieurs lignes de raccord entre les artefacts qui se terminent à la limite. Ces indications concernant les limites de concentration autrefois en vigueur sont interprétées comme indiquant la présence d'un logement. L'habitation était dotée d'un foyer central avec une zone de travail étendue, extrêmement riche en débitage, en nucleus et en outils et est strictement confiné. La zone de ce foyer a été approfondie de manière systématique, et a des bords droits. Le foyer central était peut-être accompagné d'un foyer plus petit à proximité, de fosses peu profondes et des dépressions. Il y a deux zones de travail distinctes dans les moitiés NO et SE du logement présumé.