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Lakes are threatened by contemporary climate change and human activities. Paleohydrological records provide important evidence for developing scenarios for future changes in the availability of freshwater resources. This study presents a synthesis of a sedimentological, archeological, and chronological dataset collected from Lake Annecy (eastern France) to reconstruct a lake-level record documenting the whole Holocene. This dataset shows a pronounced minimum in the lake level during the Holocene thermal maximum (HTM) (ca. 9000–7000 cal BP), preceded by a general lowering trend (early Holocene), and followed by a general rising trend (Neoglacial). On both the millennial and centennial scales, the Lake Annecy record appears to match the regional pattern of Holocene lake-level fluctuations established for West-Central Europe. In agreement with other extra-regional paleoclimatic records, it shows the dominant influence of orbital forcing. The high magnitude of the lake-level lowering (more than 5 m) during the HTM, with a 2–2.5 °C difference between the HTM and the pre-industrial mean summer temperatures, suggests possible drastic lake-level lowering phases in the near future depending on the IPCC scenarios following climate change. This would mean dramatic impacts on human activities and the preservation of exceptional archeological remains in regional lake basins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to understand the paleogeographic evolution of Viedma Lake (252 masl) sedimentary sequences with glaciolacustrine and lacustrine strata between 307 masl and 266 masl and bathymetric fluctuations between 27 ka. and 2.4 ka. were identified. The paleoenvironmental interpretation of the stratigraphic profiles was carried out based on the analysis of facies and their associations. The oldest age was recorded at 301 masl (27 ka) and the youngest corresponds to 266 masl (2.4 ka). The record of 27 ka was compared with another dated record of the Tar-San Martin Lakes basin showing that Viedma – Tar-San Martín Lakes were formed at similar ages. Taking into account that the deposits of Bahía Túnel are located at 266 masl and that the level of the lake would be above this height, it is proposed that this lake level would have restricted the movement of hunter-gatherer populations along the coast and to the west. From 2.4 ka on a new space started to be available for these populations broadening the wintering grounds (≤400 masl). The chronology of the archaeological record found in this new space fits the proposed paleogeographic evolution. This paper complements the research on the evolution of lacustrine systems in the Patagonian Mountain range and broadens the discussion of human mobility in the Viedma Lake basin during the Holocene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to assess the variability of the stable carbon and nitrogen isotope composition of herbivores -guanaco and huemul-in southern Patagonia. The study area extends from the eastern slopes of the Andes to the Atlantic Coast between 47° and 49° S. The ultimate aim of the research was to generate an isotopic ecology with an adequate spatial resolution that allows the incorporation and development of stable isotope studies in discussions of the population dynamics of hunter-gatherers in continental Patagonia. This paper presents the δ13C and δ15N values of 159 guanaco and huemul specimens, both modern and archaeological. This space was divided into three areas: Western area, Central Plateau and Eastern Area. Isotopic variability within groups was analyzed using the SIBER, from which the isotopic niches of the different groups are compared. The results show a spatial pattern of isotopic variability in herbivores, i.e. lower δ13C and δ15N values associated with forest environments in the western end of the transect and higher values, especially δ15N, towards the east, with maximum values observed near the Atlantic coast. Our results support the stated expectations on herbivore stable isotope composition variability and its association with environmental variables in a longitudinal transect across the southern Argentinean Patagonia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the sedimentological evolution of the South Danamandıra Lake (SDL) lake in Çatalca Peninsula, 70 km west of İstanbul, using Georadar data and multiproxy analyses of five sediment cores. The lake is a 1.3-m deep, endorheic freshwater peatland, heavily colonised by common reed (Phragmites sp.). The multiproxy core investigations include a lithological core description and environmental magnetism, physical properties (gamma density and magnetic susceptibility), geochemical elemental, pollen and radiocarbon dating analyses. The lithological sequence in the lake consists of an upper peat unit and a lower sand-silt-clay unit. The peat unit is characterized by lower magnetic susceptibility, density and lithophile elements (K, Fe, Ti, and Zr) concentrations than the sand-silt-clay unit. Overall interpretation of the multiproxy data and the age-depth model suggest that the SDL was formed in a shallow depression of a fluvial channel at ca 10.9 cal kyr BP, and became a eutrophic lake at 8.1 cal kyr BP during the early Holocene warm period. Redox-sensitive element (i.e. Mn) distribution and mineral magnetic properties indicate that the peat unit has accumulated under anoxic conditions below a thin oxic surficial layer. Increase in the Taraxacum, Asteraceae, and Poaceae pollen percentages, together with high siliciclastic inputs in the lake, indicate that anthropogenic influence in the area started at 5.4 cal kyr BP [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to contribute to the understanding of the Holocene evolution of the Cávado estuarine coastal system (Portugal) and the adjacent terrestrial areas, using a multidisciplinary approach, which includes geomorphology, sedimentology, palynology, radiocarbon and history. During the Early Holocene, the Cávado environment was characterized by the dominance of coarse sediments especially in the most westward areas, corresponding to fluvial energetic dynamics. During the Middle Holocene, the presence of wetlands dominated especially in the most sheltered areas. The pollen data reflect the predominance of forests during the initial phases of the introduction of agriculture, with a significant presence of humid forests. Between 4240 and 3980 cal BP, a sudden marine flooding took place over the peat. During the Late Holocene, there was a succession of low, high and again low energy fluvial environments in the eastward sheltered areas, while high energy dominated in the Fão channel entrance, with marine influence on the uppermost units. The pollen content reflects a situation of high human influence, with a poor representation of natural forests and a predominance of agrosystems, related to the rise of the Cávado estuary as a port during the heyday of the city of Braga during the Roman and Suevian periods, as described in historical texts and archaeological research. In connection with this growth, the pollen data show the existence of local Pinus plantations related to shipbuilding and repair in the port. During these times, the estuary was larger and open to the sea at Fão. After the 15th century, with the general silting of coastal areas, the inlet closed and the river mouth was displaced to the North. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Late Holocene environmental changes were examined in Dee Why Lagoon, New South Wales, based on the sedimentological, geochemical and geochronological analysis of six cores collected from the fluvial delta and lagoon basin. The lagoon formed about 7300–7200 cal yr BP, following the post-glacial marine transgression and establishment of a sand barrier. Infilling of the lagoon occurred at a rate of 0.09–0.15 mm/yr until about 3300–3200 cal yr BP, when the barrier closed, resulting in mostly freshwater conditions, as evidenced by a change from pyrite-rich units to sediment containing little sulfur and a lack of foraminifera. Sedimentation rates increased to 0.23 then 0.43 mm/yr until about 100 years ago. Post-European land clearance led to an increase in sedimentation rates to 1.0–1.3 mm/yr on the fluvial delta, which are lower than those from other wave-dominated estuaries in New South Wales as well as those estimated by previous studies in Dee Why Lagoon. Our study shows that the fluvial delta started forming much earlier than originally thought, based on results of radiometric dating, and confirmed using sedimentological and geochemical data, as well as a critical examination of historic aerial photographs. Human impact has resulted in an increase in heavy metal (Cu, Pb, Zn) and metalloid (As) concentrations in the recent sediment, most likely attributed to stormwater discharge. Pb and As concentrations are above the ANZECC high sediment quality guideline values at the site closest to the stormwater outlet, with As-based pesticides one of the possible sources. Using the mean enrichment quotient, which is based on normalised Cu, Pb and Zn concentrations over their normalised background concentrations, we show that the surface sediments in Dee Why Lagoon are severely enriched, reflecting the recent anthropogenic impact that has also led to an increase in sedimentation rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mediterranean Africa forms a crucial junction between the wider Saharan zone and the rest of the Mediterranean. In contrast to its well-investigated history from the first millennium BC onward, its antecedent dynamics are very poorly understood, and deeper archaeological histories of the Mediterranean therefore remain unbalanced and incomplete. This paper draws on a new surge in data to present the first up-todate interpretative synthesis of this region's archaeology from the start of the Holocene until the threshold of the Iron Age (9600-1000 bc). It presents the evidence for climatic, environmental and sea-level change, followed by analysis of the chronological and spatial patterning of all radiocarbon dates from Mediterranean Africa, brought together for the first time. The principal exploration then divides into three phases. During Phase 1 (9600-6200 bc) diverse forms of hunting, gathering and foraging were ubiquitous. Phase 2 (6200-4000 bc) witnessed more continuity than elsewhere in the Mediterranean, but also the widespread uptake of domesticated livestock and gradual evolution of herding societies, as well as limited enclaves of farming. Phase 3 (4000-1000 bc) has been least explored, outside developments in Egypt; in the east this phase witnessed the emergence of fully nomadic and transhumant pastoralism, with political superstructures, while trajectories in the west remain obscure, but in parts of the Maghreb suggest complex possibilities. Contacts with the Mediterranean maritime world grew during the third and second millennia bc, while interaction to the south was transformed by desertification. Understanding how the southern Mediterranean shore was drawn into Iron Age networks will require much better knowledge of its indigenous societies. The present constitutes a pivotal moment, in terms of accumulated knowledge, pathways for future investigation and engagement with a challenging current geopolitical situation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2015, the journal Science invited me to comment on the start of anthropogenic change. That request was likely related to the fact that the Anthropocene Working Group (AWG) of the International Commission of Stratigraphy was thinking of choosing a formal start date for the Anthropocene at or after 1950. Joined by three co-authors (Ruddiman et al., 2015), we emphasized the many near-global anthropogenic changes that preceded 1950 by centuries to millennia. Early in 2018, Progress in Physical Geography (PiPG) published a more extended critique of mine regarding this possible AWG action. I noted three flaws in choosing 1950 as the formal start date. In response to this challenge, the AWG recently submitted two draft papers to PiPG, one rebutting my 2018 paper (Zalasiewicz et al.), and one supporting and extending it (Edgeworth et al.). The first part of this reply elaborates on the flaws cited in my 2018 PiPG paper, incorporating comments from Edgeworth et al. The second part addresses the criticisms in Zalasiewicz et al. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Holocene hydrological regime on the Heixiazi Island is critical for understanding the evolution of the East Asian summer monsoon (EASM) for the island's climate-sensitive location on the northern fringe of the EASM domain. In this paper, a marsh depression on the central island was selected to reconstruct the locally hydrological variation and to discuss its indications for the Holocene EASM evolution. This work is based on multi-proxy (magnetic susceptibility, grain size, loss-on-ignition, and carbonate content) analyses of 22 modern sedimentary samples with a water-level gradient of 0–66 cm and 100 cored sedimentary samples covering last ~ 9.0 ka BP. The proxies' hydrological significance was previously interpreted by the 22 modern samples using linear regression equations to construct their relationships to water-level changes. Among these proxies, the magnetic susceptibility, carbonate content, as well as the Md and sand fraction of grain size exhibit high-level relationships against the water-level changes with R2 > 0.6. Thus, these four proxies' linear-regression equations were selected and used on the 100 cored samples, and the Holocene water-level changes in the studied depression were quantitatively reconstructed. It shows that two relatively high water-level stages with strengthened EASM occurred during 8.0–4.5 ka BP and 3.0–1.4 ka BP, which were alternated by three low water-level stages with declined EASM during ~ 9.0–8.0 ka BP, 4.5–3.0 ka BP, and 1.4–0 ka BP, respectively. Among these fluctuations, the highest water-level stage with most strengthened EASM which is defined as the Holocene Monsoon Maximum occurred during 6.4–4.5 ka BP. Such a new evolution pattern of the EASM can be further supported by a large variety of records from monsoon-margin regions. We suggest the Holocene EASM evolution was generally associated with the thermal conditions in both the inner Eurasia landmass and the West Pacific Ocean, with an exception of the weak EASM before 8.0 ka BP due to the enhanced Siberia High with the dominance of the Eurasia ice sheet in the early Holocene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a reconstruction of the Holocene dynamics of forest fires and their influence on vegetation in the central part of Meshcherskaya Lowland. The studies are based on macrocharcoal and pollen analyses and radiocarbon dating of peat deposits from the Studencheskoe peatland. According to the results, changes in the structure of the plant cover were largely determined by the fire regime during the Holocene. In the period of high forest-fire intensity (∼9200–6400 calendar years BP), the study area was occupied by birch-pine forests. The role of spruce and broad-leaved species in forest stands was increased in the period with a low frequency of forest fires (∼6400–1400 calendar years BP). The influence of fires on vegetation increased after 1400 calendar years BP due to human impact. The results show that periods of increased fire frequencies occurred before the human occupation of the area and were determined by climatic causes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This paper presents new marine evidence of Lateglacial and Holocene environmental changes in the western part of Limfjorden, and provides a review of the geological history/development of this part of northern Jylland, Denmark. Lateglacial clay without fossils is widespread in the region and is probably a glaciolacustrine deposit. Limfjorden began to form as a strait in the Early Holocene due to rising relative sea level and the oldest marine shells are dated to c. 9300 cal. years BP. We propose a new relative sealevel curve for the region based on new and published data, which appear to confirm that the relative sea-level change was not extremely rapid, which was suggested earlier. During the Mid-Holocene a wide connection existed from the western part of Limfjorden to the North Sea in the west and more narrow connections existed between Limfjorden and Skagerrak in the north. The marine fauna included several species that indicate warmer and more salty waters than at present. Gradually, the connections to the North Sea and Skagerrak closed due to long-shore sediment transport and deposition of aeolian sand combined with a fall in the relative sea level during the Middle- to Late Holocene. During the Viking Age, 800-1050 CE (Common Era), the western connection to the North Sea was still open, but around 1200 CE it was closed by a coastal sandy barrier and the western part of Limfjorden became brackish. The coastal barrier was flooded on several occasions but soon formed again. After 1825 CE the western connection from Limfjorden to the North Sea has been maintained artificially. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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ABSTRACT In this paper we identify four 'revolutions' that in our view have shaped the study of sea-level changes in recent decades. (i) The search for 'eustasy'. One of the most hotly debated issues in the 1960s is still relevant as models of glacial isostatic adjustment (GIA) require input of the amount of meltwater transferred to the world's oceans following the demise of the large Pleistocene ice sheets. (ii) Resolution of sea-level archives. All sea-level archives have limitations in their resolving power but are we willing to define these? From studies of salt-marsh deposits and corals it is highly likely that climate-driven metre-scale sea-level fluctuations have not occurred during the middle and late Holocene. (iii) Rapid sea-level changes. Improved coring technology has resulted in the suggestion of meltwater pulses during the last deglaciation. Low-frequency high-magnitude events have been documented along seismically active shorelines and provide information on seismic hazards and storm impacts. (iv) Merging of empirical sea-level investigations and models. Much sea-level research in the past two decades has embraced the integration of models and field-derived data, providing testable hypotheses and insights into processes. We conclude with some reminders about the 'inconvenient truths' that keep the sea-level scientist honest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Greenland Ice Sheet (GrIS) covers an area of 1.7 million km2. It has been an important source of climate information and the air temperature history of Greenland is well known. However, the thermal history and temperature conditions of the Greenland bedrock are poorly known. There are only few records on the temperature of the proglacial bedrock and no records on bedrock temperature underneath the ice sheet. The Greenland Analogue Project (GAP) recently investigated hydrological, hydrogeological and geochemical processes in Kangerlussuaq, West Greenland. Because permafrost has a major hydrological impact in Arctic regions, the cryogenic structure of the bedrock was an important research topic. From previous studies it was already known that Kangerlussuaq is located within the zone of continuous permafrost. Temperature profiling in a new research borehole, extending horizontally 30 m underneath the ice sheet, revealed that permafrost is 350 m deep at the ice margin. This result raised the question how far the permafrost extends under the ice sheet? In order to investigate the thermal properties, we made a series of electromagnetic (EM) soundings at the ice margin area – on proglacial area and on the ice sheet – and detected, that subglacial permafrost extends at least 2 km from the ice margin to inland. We also observed a patchy unfrozen sediment layer between the ice and the frozen bedrock. Possible existence of subglacial sediments and their role in ice dynamics has been debated in many recent papers. Our successful campaign shows that geophysics can be used for bedrock investigations through thick ice, which is known to be challenging for electromagnetic methods. Our results provide the first direct evidence supporting the proposed Holocene ice re-advance over frozen ground, and contribute to the discussion on the rapid climate changes in past, to the future of the ice sheet under warming climate and hydrogeology at the ice margin. Highlights • This paper is related to an international research project, the Greenland Analogue Project. • Electromagnetic method was able to discriminate unfrozen and frozen ground. • The first published description of cryogenic structure under continental ice sheet. • Ice re-advance over permafrost evidencing significant Holocene retreat to the east. • A literature review of the Holocene deglaciation of West Greenland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of human‐driven processes is useful to gain a better understanding of the long‐term evolution of land degradation, soil erosion, and geomorphology as well as resource availability for human settlement. The objective of this paper is to identify the long‐term results of human impact on the vulnerable dryland ecosystems in Northwest Argentina, specifically to analyze the consequences of the spread and consolidation of the agricultural way of life on the landscape. To reach this objective, a multiproxy interdisciplinary geoarchaeological study was conducted to link an evolutionary geomorphological model with the soil development and degradation, peopling, and land use change during the Upper Holocene and integrate distinct areas of the Tafí Valley region, which is the most studied area, other neighbouring valleys, and the Puna. The analyses identified positive human‐driven impacts that led to a general degradation of the landscape during the agricultural Prehispanic Period, dated between ca. 2000 and 500 bp. This degradation is manifested by accelerated morphogenesis, mainly fine‐grained accumulated sediments, thick deposits, and the presence of human debris interbedded with the natural sediments. The success of the productive agricultural systems that expanded during the Formative Period led to a gradual increase in the demographic density, resulting in extensive environmental degradation due to overexploitation of the drylands of Northwest Argentina, in some cases increased by adverse climatic changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rockfalls and rock avalanches are a recurrent process in high mountain areas like the Mont Blanc massif. These processes are surveyed due to the hazard they present for infrastructure and alpinists. While rockfalls and rock avalanches have been documented for the last 150 years, we know very little about their frequency since the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). In order to improve our understanding, it is imperative to date them on a longer timescale. A pilot campaign using Terrestrial Cosmogenic Nuclide (TCN) dating of five samples was carried out in 2006 at the Aiguille du Midi (3842 m a.s.l.). In 2011, a larger scale study (20 samples) was carried out in five other test sites in the Mont Blanc massif. This paper presents the exposure ages of the 2011 TCN study as well as the updated exposure ages of the 2006 study using newer TCN dating parameters. Most of these exposure ages lie within the Holocene but three ages are Pleistocene (59.87 ± 6.10 ka for the oldest). A comparison of these ages with air temperature and glacier cover proxies explored the possible relationship between the most active rockfall periods and the warmest periods of the Holocene: two clusters of exposure ages have been detected, corresponding to the Middle Holocene (8.2-4.2 ka) and the Roman Warm Period (c. 2 ka) climate periods. Some recent rockfalls have also been dated (< 0.56 ka). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main drivers of Europe's climate during the Holocene result from the coupling and interplay of external and internal radiative processes with the shifting patterns of many dynamic components (e.g. glaciers, ocean currents, wind fields, vegetation cover). Those driving forces were expressed across a range of geographical scales, from local to global, in a diverse set of records forming a patchwork of evidence as to the fundamental pacing effect of climate on past ecosystems. Various sedimentary deposits resulting from those complex forcing contexts bear climatic signatures that it is not always easy to disentangle especially with respect to local factors. The present paper focuses on a coastal archaeological site on the Medoc peninsula (the Lède du Gurp site in south-western France) that records Holocene palaeoenvironmental changes, decoded here century after century and integrated with ongoing events on a pan-North-Atlantic scale. Based on updated geoarchaeological approaches, thanks to new applications of proxies, especially X-ray fluorescence (XRF) core scanning methods for this article, continuous sedimentary records have been analysed in order to reconstruct a regional framework for past ecosystem events, including events potentially related to human activity. Our work identifies signals on various scales in the record under study, with both long- and short-term trends and local and global imprints, but all closely bound up with proximal North Atlantic Ocean dynamics. It highlights how western European environments (and so populations) were dependent upon the linearity of climate evolution at the key Northgrippian/Meghalayan transition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The identification of mobility patterns in prehistoric communities is crucial for the understanding of their social and economic strategies. Though factors such as economics, environment, and cultural choices are strictly related to mobility, it has been demonstrated how anticipated mobility is pivotal in generating different aspects of site structure and spatial organization. Considering the stone structures uncovered at Takarkori rock shelter (southwestern Libya, central Sahara), we performed morphometrical and spatial analysis to provide appropriate indicators of mobility patterns, site structure, and activity areas among hunter-gatherers and pastoral groups that inhabited the shelter during the Early and Middle Holocene. We recognized year-round semisedentary patterns and shorter seasonal occupations, based on the number, size, typology, and topography of stone structures. The paper discusses how, through the analysis of stone structures, it is possible to recognize mobility patterns in the archaeological record. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper considers the results of studying of wetland ecosystems within the boundaries of the “Shantar Islands” National Park in 2016–2018. The characteristics of peat deposits in main bog areas that developed over the Holocene on the surfaces dating back to the Late Pleistocene are described. The features of waterlogging in the flattened watersheds of the Bolshoy Shantar Island in different periods of the evolution of studied peat bogs are considered on the basis of the results of botanical, palynological and radiocarbon analyzes. The settlement of green mosses among areas sparsely vegetated by shrub-sedge communities in small closed depression with a melting substrate during the growth season was determined as the initial centers of waterlogging on the archipelago. The regressive effect of cryogenic processes on the formation of specific organogenic landforms in oligotrophic bogs of the permafrost zone of the southwestern Okhotsk Sea Region has been identified by analyzing cartographic materials, Earth remote sensing data of medium and high spatial resolution (Landsat 8, Sentinel-2), as well as aerial images taken by DJI Phantom 4 UAV. There is a relationship between the thickness of the peat deposit, the natural and climatic circumstances of different Holocene stages, and successional changes in bog vegetation. These shifts' chronometric parameters and order have been established. The order and chronologic parameters of these shifts have been determined. In contrast to the mainland, the transgression of the sea and the confinement of the archipelago to the cryolithic zone of eastern Eurasia were the main factors that defined the features of the development of island swamp phytocenoses and surrounding vegetation.

This paper presents a new Holocene palaeoecological record from coastal south-eastern Spain, a region characterised by high plant species diversity, varied physiography, high risk of desertification, and a history of human pressure on the landscape that stretches to antiquity. The pollen sequence shows four main vegetation phases: the first characterised by mixed forests of Pinus and evergreen Quercus accompanied by broad-leaved mesophilous trees, and a diversity of Mediterranean scrub; the second phase is characterised by mesophytic decline and expansion of Artemisia; a third, mid-Holocene phase of thermo-mesophytic maxima with prevalence of forested landscapes; and, finally, the progressive opening of the landscape with sparse pines, halo-xerophytic grasslands and sclerophyllous brushwood. The current treeless situation of south-eastern Spain is a relatively recent feature resulting from a dramatic change in the ecological structure of the regional landscapes. This paper stresses the continued vulnerability of these arid systems in the face of a changing climate. This sequence adds to previous palaeobotanical records (pollen and charcoal) and archaeological reports to suggest that deforestation started earlier in low-elevation areas and river basins than in the inland mountains and platforms, a factor that appears in connection to human exploitation of the natural environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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ABSTRACT: The southern Cape is a particularly dynamic region of South Africa in terms of climate change as it is influenced by both temperate and tropical circulation systems. This paper presents pollen and microcharcoal data generated from a sediment core extracted from the coastal lake Eilandvlei spanning the last ∼8900 years. With an average sample resolution of 57 years, this record represents the highest resolution record of Holocene vegetation change from the region. The data indicate that cool, seasonal and moderately dry conditions characterized the Wilderness Embayment from ∼8900 to 8000 cal a  BP. Afrotemperate forests expanded from ∼8000 cal a  BP until 4700 cal a  BP. This humid period is followed by indications of more arid and seasonal conditions until 3500 cal a  BP. A long‐term increase in forest taxa suggests steadily increasing moisture availability across the late Holocene. Strong affinities are noted with records from more tropical regions of South Africa, suggesting that tropical systems are of importance in maintaining higher moisture availability in the region. An important mechanism of climate change is the Agulhas Current, which transmits what appears to be a localized signal of tropical variability to the southern Cape coast. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents a description of a rare finding of the partial frozen corpse of the Yukagir horse. Discovered from thawing deposits in northern East Siberia (Yakutia, Russia), its age is confirmed to be Mid-Holocene (about 4600 BP). The mummy had a preserved head with the neck and the back of the torso with the legs and tail. The Yukagir horse was relatively short, with short ears and tail. Compared to the modern breeds, including the Yakutian domestic horse, wild Przewalski’s horse, and extinct Lena horse, Equus lenensis, the Yukagir horse was closest to the latter, which was also confirmed by studies of the hair microstructure. The pollen and plant remains from the horse’s intestines indicated a preference to grasses. The late geological age of the Yukagir horse is an indication that this species survived the Pleistocene-Holocene crisis and lived through the Mid-Holocene in northern Eastern Siberia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Applied & Regional Geology / Zeitschrift der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Geowissenschaften (ZDGG) is the property of E. Schweizerbart'sche Verlagsbuchhandlung and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Asa Koma is a site in Djibouti, located about 30 km from the modern-day shoreline of Lake Abbe. One group of radiocarbon dates places the occupation in the middle of the 3rd millennium BC while a second pushes the occupation to the beginning of the 2nd millennium BC. We discuss this point in this paper. It is a key site for understanding the first food-production societies in the Horn of Africa because it is one of the earliest sites in the region that has yielded domestic cattle remains. Nevertheless, domesticates seem to have played only a secondary role in Asa Koma's economy. Fish represent by far the most important food resource, and fishing was most likely the main reason why people chose to live at Asa Koma. The site has been the subject of many studies. This paper presents new data that complement these previous studies, namely, a geomorphological assessment of the site and the region, results from a new test-excavation, and results from the study of an additional sample of fish remains. We estimate the mass provided by the different taxa in order to evaluate what proportion of the diet derived from fishing, hunting and stock breeding, respectively. We also summarize and reconsider the hypothesis formulated in a previous study about the season of catch and the processing of the catch for storage. We argue that Lake Abbe was very close to the site at the time of the occupation, and we suspect that fishing (and hence occupation of the site) took place during the annual floods of this lake. We discuss possible indications for fish storage strategies, while acknowledging that the practice of storage continues to be difficult to elucidate from the archaeological evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper introduces a series of articles assembled in a special issue that explore Holocene climate evolution, as recorded in lakes on the Island of Amsterdamøya on the westernmost fringe of the Arctic Svalbard archipelago. Due to its location near the interface of oceanic and atmospheric systems sourced from Arctic and Atlantic regions, Amsterdamøya is a key site for recording the terrestrial response to marine and atmospheric changes. We employed multi-proxy approaches on lake sediments, integrating physical, biogeochemical, and isotopic analyses to infer past changes in temperature, precipitation, and glacier activity. The results comprise a series of quantitative Holocene-length paleoclimate reconstructions that reveal different aspects of past climate change. Each of the four papers addresses various facets of the Holocene climate history of north-western Svalbard, including a reconstruction of the Annabreen glacier based on the sedimentology of the distal glacier-fed lake Gjøavatnet, a reconstruction of changing hydrologic conditions based on sedimentology and stratigraphy in Lake Hakluytvatnet, reconstruction of summer temperature based on alkenone paleothermometry from lakes Hakluytvatnet and Hajeren, and a hydrogen isotope-based hydrological reconstruction from lake Hakluytvatnet. We also present high-resolution paleomagnetic secular variation data from the same lake, which document important regional magnetic field variations and demonstrate the potential for use in synchronizing Holocene sedimentary records in the Arctic. The paleoclimate picture that emerges is one of early Holocene warmth from ca. 10.5 ka BP interrupted by transient cooling ca. 10-8ka BP, and followed by cooling that mostly manifested as two stepwise events ca. 7 and 4 ka BP. The past 4ka were characterized by dynamic glaciers and summer temperature fluctuations decoupled from the declining summer insolation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rate of global eustatic sea-level rise during the Holocene Epoch has been identified as the principle cause of observed changes or inferred evolution of nontectonic coastal systems in mid- to low-latitude areas. The rate of rise is now three times faster than it was for the past several thousand years and similar to values associated with the middle Holocene marine transgression. This acceleration can be attributed to human-caused global warming. In this investigation, the effects of accelerating sea-level rise on coastal sedimentary environments of the SE Saline Everglades were quantified. The results reveal historic changes to coastal habitat, sedimentation, and stratigraphy that are transgressive. These changes initiated during the early 20th century and are attributed to accelerating sea-level rise. As this acceleration and the resulting geologic record is a suspected consequence of human-induced global warming, the paper concludes with a discussion of the relevance of these observations, in tandem with others, to the current debate over the utility and use of the proposed Anthropocene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Central Western Patagonia (CWP) is a key area for assessing long-distance procurement of high-quality obsidians throughout the Holocene given that almost all relevant types represented in the archaeological record are exotic to this region. By using surface and stratigraphic obsidian artifacts from archaeological sites compared to standards from known sources in Patagonia, this paper discusses the spatial and temporal distribution of this lithic material. Sampling was oriented to assemblages from deposits with radiocarbon-based time frames (10,700 − 300 cal BP). This paper presents geochemical (ICP-MS) analyses of 178 samples from 58 archaeological sites at 11 surveyed areas located along the Pacific coast, the Andean forest, and eastern steppe. Out of six potential sources, the Chaitén Volcano source (Los Lagos Region, Chile) dominates exclusively the occurrence of obsidians along the coastal fringe, while the Pampa del Asador source (PDA, Santa Cruz Province, Argentina) largely dominates (86% of samples) obsidian in the eastern steppe and the forest/steppe ecotone. This broad distribution is explained by the presence of the densely forested Andean mountain range acting as a biogeographical barrier. East of the Andes, we recorded an absolute dominance of PDA south of 45°30′S, while more variability prevailed north of this point. The highest diversity of obsidians was recorded in the Cisnes River valley, probably because it is located closer to other alternative northern sources (Telsen/Sierra Negra, Sacanana and Angostura Blanca, all in Chubut Province, Argentina) and because it also hosts a local low-quality obsidian type. Based on this distribution, we discuss obsidian procurement behaviors by considering obsidian frequency and tool/debitage-class representation with increasing distance. We use the analysis of fall-off curves based on the distance of studied locations from the sources and include the use of least-cost paths for providing the most likely procurement routes. No obsidian diversification was recorded during the Holocene, hence the main driver for its procurement seems to be the distance from the source rather than the antiquity of its knowledge. Alternative procurement behaviors are discussed, specifically direct acquisition, exchange, and/or sporadic visits as mechanisms for explaining the archaeological patterns throughout the Holocene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This paper presents the results of the explorations carried out in the western sector of the Iberian Central System (western Gredos, Béjar, Gata and Estrela mountain ranges). The macroremains found allow detailing the model of the landscape transformation, the composition and extension of their vegetal formations throughout the Holocene. Ninety-nine woody macroremains, 3 bark remains and 8 pinecones were located from eight sites between 875 and 1860 m above sea level, among which 15 radiocarbon dates were made. The taxonomic identification of two trunks found in Estrela allows us to document the local presence of Pinus cf. sylvestris ca. 6600 cal BP in this site. The same taxon also appears at the western end of Gredos between ca. 1700–2800 cal BP at approximately 1300 m. These remains expand the Holocene distribution of P. cf. sylvestris in the Central System known to date, both temporally and geographically. In parallel, the macroremains analysed document the composition of high mountain scrub (Cytisus type, Erica cf. arborea) in Béjar (ca. 1860 m), as well as mixed scrub-woodland formations in Gata (975–1180 m), which included deciduous Quercus , Betulaceae and Ericaceae. The presence of P. pinaster at ca. 6200 cal BP and 1180 m in this mountain range constitutes the earliest palaeobotanical evidence of this species recorded in Gata. The main results support the continuous persistence of plant formations in which P. sylvestris , P. nigra , and P. pinaster would have formed part throughout the Iberian Central System during the Holocene in a wide altitudinal range (1100–1840 m). • Above one hundred Holocene macrofossils from eight different sites were analysed. • Pinus sylvestris recently disappeared from the western Central System. • P. gr. sylvestris remained in Serra da Estrela until ˜6650 years ago. • First evidence of Pinus pinaster has been found in Gata ˜6200 years ago. • Betula , Quercus , Alnus and Ericaceae Holocene macroremains were found in Gata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to evaluate the position of the Holocene transgression on the coast of the Valencia Gulf. To achieve this goal, a sedimentological and micropaleontological analysis of samples of fossil benthic foraminifera in cores from six boreholes drilled in three different wetlands (Almenara marsh, Moro marsh and Valencia lagoon) was carried out. In order to assess the extent of sea level change, at least three factors must be taken into account: 1) eustatic rise (global scale) 2) neotectonics (regional scale) and 3) the sedimentary factor (local and regional scale). Regarding the first factor, some authors have noted that the Holocene transgression reached +1 m above the current sea level in this area. As for the second factor, while the Valencia lagoon is located on a subsiding coast the northernmost marshes are located on a tectonically stable coast. Finally, sedimentation rates are highly variable depending on the area; whereas in the Valencia lagoon the shoreline generally shifts seawards (progradation) in the northernmost areas the coast is currently undergoing retrogradation, although the anthropic factor clearly interferes with this pattern. One of the main conclusions is that in the Valencian coast the Holocene maximum relative sea level did not exceed the present-day one, except in the case of the subsiding area of the Valencia lagoon. The calculation of sedimentation rates, the relative sea-level curve and the evolution of the water column in the different wetlands seem to corroborate it. Radiocarbon and AAR analyses allowed us to date the maximum extent of the Holocene transgression on the Valencian coast at around 5500 cal yr BP in all cases. Despite the different subsidence the three studied wetlands reflected the predominant marine influence until 5500–5200 BP, which was later followed by a growing fluvial or continental incidence, when glacioeustatic adjustments defined the patterns of coastal progradation. [Display omitted] • Location of the MIS 1 coastline position in three West Mediterranean wetlands. • The global Holocene eustatic rise invaded the three wetlands at least 5300 years BP. • Subsidence rate determined different MIS 1 relative sea-level rise in the wetlands. • Tectonic stability in the northern wetlands involved slower relative sea-level rise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mainland Southeast Asia experiences complex and variable hydroclimatic conditions, mainly due to its location at the intersection of Asian monsoon subsystems. Predicting future changes requires an in-depth understanding of paleoclimatic conditions that is currently hindered by a paucity of records in some regions. In this paper, we present the first speleothem stable isotope records from western Thailand detailing the Bølling-Allerød interstadial, Younger Dryas termination, and early- to mid-Holocene period. We find evidence of higher precipitation during the Bølling-Allerød (14,321–12,824 years before present (1950: BP)) compared to a Younger Dryas termination that starts 11,702–11,674 BP, has a rapid shift centered on 11,660–11,641 BP, and ends 11,603–11,589 BP. In addition, our records show Holocene monsoon intensity peaking at 8250 BP or before, a multi-millennia delay from the Northern Hemisphere summer insolation peak, followed by a trend to drier conditions until at least 750 BP. Assessment of the timing of the Younger Dryas termination in paleoclimate records across Southeast Asia reveals an earlier shift of the Indian Summer Monsoon to global climate shifts when compared to East Asian Summer Monsoon records. The causes of this are currently unknown. Some potentially important aspects include: an Indian Summer Monsoon influence on East Asian Summer Monsoon strength via the Indian Ocean Dipole climate pattern, the role of the Tibetan Plateau in monsoon dynamics, and exposure of the Sundaland shoreline. More high-resolution paleoclimate records, especially on the pathway of Indian Summer Monsoon to East Asian Summer Monsoon, are required for further discussion on the mechanisms controlling the differences between climate regimes. • We present two new speleothem stable isotope records from western Thailand. • Conditions trend wetter during the Bølling-Allerød. • Early and abrupt termination of the Younger Dryas (11,675–11,600 BP, ±73 years). • Change Point Analysis of records finds earlier rapid shift in Indian Summer Monsoon. • Distinct trend of increasing δ18O and δ13C values throughout Holocene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the Holocene climatic dynamics of South Africa's southern Cape, a region that supports a large proportion of the Greater Cape Floristic Region and contains an array of important archaeological sites. While South African climates are generally characterised by marked rainfall seasonality, the southern Cape is currently situated at the interface between tropical and temperate climate systems, resulting in a largely aseasonal rainfall regime. This regime, however, is thought to have been particularly sensitive to past changes in late Quaternary boundary conditions, meaning that variability in either tropical or temperate systems could have significant environmental impacts. Evidence of past climate change, however, remains limited. We present a 9000-year record of hydroclimatic variability obtained from rock hyrax midden stable nitrogen records, from Papkuilsfontein, on the southern slope of the Anysberg Mountains. Resolved to an average 6-year resolution and spanning the period c. 9050 cal yr BP to 1990 CE, this is the highest resolution Holocene record from southern Africa and presents a unique opportunity for the detailed study of the primary drivers and spatial gradients of Holocene climate change in the southern Cape. The data indicate a long-term decrease in aridity across the Holocene and a pattern of variability that reveals remarkable similarities with records from the South African tropics and El Niño–Southern Oscillation proxies, highlighting the significance of tropical systems as drivers of Holocene climate change in the region. This substantially expands what has been previously considered to be the zone of tropical influence, extending from a coastal phenomenon associated with heat transport via the Agulhas Current to encompass much, if not all, of the Agulhas Plain south of the Cape Fold Mountains. These findings provide a valuable new climatic framework for contextualizing changes in ecological and archaeological records in the southern Cape, and contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the spatio-temporal dynamics of climate systems in southern Africa. • Sub-decadal 9000-year record of aridity from South Africa's southern Cape. • Reveals dominance of tropical forcing across the southern Cape and Agulhas Plain. • ENSO variability indicated to be important driver of regional climate change. • Presents high-resolution framework for study of human-environment interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discriminating the provenance of fine-grained sediments is crucial for reconstructing paleogeography, sedimentary processes, and paleoclimate. In this paper, we investigate the South Bohai Coast to better understand source-to-sink systems in East Asia. This region is influenced by both distant sources such as the large-scale Yellow River and small local river sources flowing from the Luzhong Mountain area. Two Holocene sedimentary cores, dated using optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) and accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) 14C chronology, were used to investigate the provenance of the fine-grained sediments over the last 7 kyrs. Clay mineralogy and relevant non-linear modeling were employed for provenance discrimination. The results show that the fine-grained sediments along the South Bohai Coast were mainly derived from the Yellow River during the periods of 7.0–5.4 ka and 4.5–2.6 ka, respectively, while the input from the Luzhong Mountain-derived rivers was greater during 5.4–4.5 ka and 2.6–0.2 ka, respectively. Fluvial activities and marine-terrestrial interaction driven by climate factors such as East Asian winter monsoon, temperature, and precipitation in river basins, dominantly influenced the provenance of fine-grained sediments from 7.0 to 2.6 ka. Anthropogenic impact on provenance increased after 2.6 ka. The chronology of the two cores showed extremely rapid sedimentation rate transitions at 5.2 ka and 1.5 ka, respectively, very likely attributed to anthropogenic-induced rapid progradation. Our study provides a model for better understanding the paleoenvironmental and paleogeographic evolution of a coastal area where multiple sources exist. • Anthropogenically high sedimentation rate in the South Bohai Coast in late Holocene. • Provenance discrimination of the fine-grained sediments in the South Bohai Coast since the mid-Holocene. • The major source of the fine-grained sediments in the South Bohai Coast changed episodically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we investigate Holocene precipitation changes in northern China to improve the understanding of the East Asian summer monsoon (EASM) and provide an environmental context for the development of Chinese civilisation. Our study is based on an analysis of 260 pollen samples from Holocene lacustrine sediments at Ningjinpo in northern China, and employs the biomisation method to reconstruct regional vegetation types and vegetation changes, and to decipher their driving factors, by incorporating regional climatic data and information on human activities. Results indicate that, in the early Holocene (10,000–8100 cal yr B.P.), regional climate was dry, with annual precipitation of 470 mm. In the middle Holocene (8100–3000 cal yr B.P.), a rapid increase was observed in precipitation, reaching 580 mm. During the late Holocene (2600–600 cal yr B.P.), climate became drier again, with annual precipitation decreasing to 480 mm. Between 10,000–600 cal yr B.P., vegetation exhibited distinct successional patterns dominantly influenced by climate, transitioning from meadow-steppe to forest, and then back to meadow-steppe. After 600 cal yr B.P., vegetation succession decoupled from climate change, with human activities emerging as the primary driving force, as indicated by the substantial increase in anthropogenic pollen and charcoal concentrations. In the future, under the combined influence of global warming and intensified human activity, the implementation of scientific environmental planning measures will become increasingly important for the restoration and sustainable development of regional vegetation ecosystems. • Unambiguous high-resolution precipitation record from the North China Plain. • Human activities variedly impact vegetation evolution since 2600 cal yr B.P. • A shift from natural to anthropogenic vegetation change happened at 600 cal yr B.P. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the Bronze and Iron Age, Sardinia was home of one of the most technologically advanced Mediterranean societies (the Nuragic culture). Given its key geographical location, the island was also the fulcrum of deep cultural exchanges. Toward the end of the Iron Age, Phoenicians, and especially Carthaginians and Romans, massively frequented Sardinia for different purposes. This marks an important cultural transition for the region, as the ancient Nuragic-related society terminated. At the same time, this impacted the subsistence and land use practices. Together with middle to late Holocene climate changes, the novel anthropic activities had a pivotal role in shaping the landscape around the island. However, high resolution climate and environmental records for these culturally important phases are still lacking in Sardinia. Thus, this paper explores palaeoenvironmental changes from the Bronze Age to post Iron Ages times by using carbonate speleothems from Suttaterra de Sarpis Cave (Urzulei, central east Sardinia), strategically located nearby the Or Murales Nuragic Village. U–Th ages (n = 20) indicate that five stalagmites comprehensively span the last ∼7000 years. Peculiarly, they all show an evident stratigraphic discontinuity. Age models attest that hiatuses can be at times associated with the discontinuities, spanning periods of ∼1200 to ∼200 years. Importantly, the discontinuities occurred from the Late Iron Age to the Roman period. Based on fabric observations, trace elements and δ13C- δ18O analyses, the discontinuities are primarily attributed to a progressive change of land use above the cave. We suppose that deforestation aimed to clearance for agriculture and livestock practices probably was the most impacting factor for infiltration dynamics and soil state, thus affecting the studied speleothems, although archaeological and historical data are absent for the specific study area. Instead, this is in line with the cultural transition occurring in Sardinia toward the end of the Iron Age, with novel agricultural practices imported by the overseas populations. The anthropic disturbance to the millennial-long karst equilibrium possibly overprinted the response of speleothem proxies to climate oscillations, although future higher resolution analyses are necessary to better investigate the evolution of climate during the Holocene as well as its role in the development of ancient civilizations. Indeed, this is the first speleothem-based Holocene palaeoenvironmental reconstruction accomplished in Sardinia. Considering the paucity of natural lakes in this key location, speleothems here demonstrate their potential in exploring human-driven palaeoenvironmental changes during times of cultural transitions within the Mediterranean context. • The first Holocene speleothem paleoenvironmental record from Sardinia (Italy). • Changes in geochemical and physical speleothems' properties point to variation of land use. • Land use variation is connected to cultural shifts during intra- and post-Nuragic period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine oxygen isotope stage 5a (MIS 5a), MIS 3a, and Holocene were highlighted periods in paleoclimate studies. Many scientists have published a great number of studies in this regard, but they paid more attention to qualitative research, and there was often a lack of quantitative data. In this paper, based on chronological evidence from a paleolake in arid China, MIS 5a, MIS 3a, and Holocene lake area, the precipitation of the drainage area and the runoff of the inflowing rivers of the lake were reconstructed with ArcGIS spatial analysis software and the improved water and energy balance model which was calibrated by modern meteorological and hydrological data in the Shiyang River drainage basin. The results showed that the paleolake areas were 1824, 1124, and 628 km for MIS 5a, MIS 3a, and Holocene; meanwhile, the paleoprecipitation and runoff were 293.992-297.433, 271.105-274.294, and 249.431-252.373 mm and 29.103 × 10-29.496 × 10, 18.810 × 10-18.959 × 10, and 10.637 × 10-10.777 × 10 mm, respectively. The quantitative data can help us not only strengthen the understanding of paleoclimatic characteristics but also recognize the complexity and diversity of the climate system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents the chronology of the Holocene evolution of the Baltic Sea based on the optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) and radiocarbon dating methods applied to a core taken from the Arkona Basin. The dating results were supplemented by grain size and geochemical analysis. The obtained results of OSL and radiocarbon dating enabled the construction of an age-depth model and confirmed the continuous sedimentation since 9900 cal yrs BP. One of the most interesting findings of this study is a clear relationship between the rate of sedimentation and fluctuations in the energy of depositional environment. The analyzed sediment core revealed two sections of different accumulation rates. The bottom section was deposited until 2700 cal yrs BP when the Ancylus Lake and the Littorina Sea were present, characterized by the accumulation rate estimated at around 0.46 mm year-1 and the dynamic sedimentation environment confirmed by grain size parameters. The accumulation rate at the top section deposited during the Post-Littorina Sea stage was estimated at around 1 mm year-1. This stage, characterized by more stable deposition and lower-energy environment conditions, was confirmed by small grain size, symmetric skewness and increasing content of organic matter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]