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An overview of the Late Pleistocene and Holocene stratigraphy of the southeastern White Sea region is presented in the paper, based upon the analysis of published data, new results, and correlation between marine and terrestrial archives. The Pleistocene stratigraphic record in the southeastern White Sea region begins with Mikulino Horizon, which comprises the whole MIS 5 and is composed of marine sediments – sands, sandy clays and clays – with Boreal, Arctic–Boreal and Lusitanean–Boreal microfauna and mollusc fauna, dated back at 161–77 ka. The Podporozhie Horizon in the southeastern White Sea region comprises the MIS 4 (71–57 ka) complex of marine mostly near-shore sediments. The glaciation during MIS 4 was localized, on one hand, within the Kola Peninsula. On the other hand, the glacier probably overlapped the Kanin Peninsula and the Mezen Bay, however the Gorlo Strait was not blocked and the northward river outflow was preserved. The Leningrad Horizon had been formed also in the marine sedimentation pattern during the MIS 3 (57–29 ka). However, the lack of data in the region allows us to make only the comparative analysis. The Ostashkov Horizon (MIS 2, 29–11.7 ka) is composed of the deposits of glacial paragenetic series: tills, glaciofluvial, glaciomarine, and glaciolacustrine deposits, but also comprises the deglaciation (Late Glacial) sedimentary complex including marginal tills. The Holocene stratigraphic record is subdivided into three stages – 11.7–9.5, 9.5–3.5 and 3.5–0 ka BP, and do not match with new formal stratigraphic subdivision of the Holocene series.

—Terraces at four hypsometric levels were studied in the Vuoksa River basin (northern part of the Karelian Isthmus, NW Russia). New data on nine sections of late Quaternary–Holocene sediments have been obtained. Their age has been determined (for the first time for surface deposits in the studied region) in the interval from 90 to 2 ka. The terrace sediments are disturbed by deformations (faults, folds, and liquefaction) caused by six strong earthquakes in that period. The relationships among the terrace levels, ages, stratigraphy, and structures of loose sediments point to their formation under the impact of differentiated tectonic motions triggered by the activation of the ancient “Vuoksa” fault zone in the late Neopleistocene and Holocene.

We present an overview of the beginning and early years of radiocarbon dating in Russia. Achievements of several major scholars in this field from Leningrad (St. Petersburg), Moscow and Novosibirsk are briefly described. The existing and closed Russian laboratories are also mentioned.

The cross-instrumental dating of the Quaternary deposits in the Sambia (Kaliningrad) Peninsula has made it possible to obtain a time series that indicates the formation of a sequence overlapping the Last Glaciation deposits in the Late Holocene under subaerial conditions with active aeolian accumulation starting from 450–400 BP. The earlier established fluvioglacial genesis and Late Glacial age of the surface deposits need to be revised. Greater aeolian activity is presumably related to climate changes during the Little Ice Age. OSL dating of very young (Late Holocene) subaerial deposits demonstrates the reliable results supported by agreement with the radiocarbon analysis data and the stratigraphic position of the dated sequences.

The paper is devoted to the role of hares in the composition of hunter's prey in the Upper Palaeolithic of the Russian (East European) Plain. Mammoths and hoofed mammals are traditionally considered as main hunting species for these sites. However, sometimes completely different species come to the fore, while the bones of the “main hunting animals” are presented only in small amounts. We have analyzed the faunistic materials of the sites confined to the basins of the main rivers of the Russian Plain (Dnieper, Desna, Seym, Oka, Don), the chronostratigraphic position of which is justified by radiocarbon dates. As a result of quantitative analysis, the sites were divided into 4 groups, where group 1 comprises the sites with the content of hare bones in relation to all definable bone residues of more than 50%, and group 4 - which does not contain them at all. A set of skeletal elements was also studied and their percentage in the collection was determined. Correlation of the data with the Late Pleistocene event scale showed the absence of a direct relationship between the number of hare bones in sites with climate changes. Throughout the entire Upper Palaeolithic, hares were part of the environment of the ancient population, spreading widely in forest landscapes and decreasing in the tundra-steppes. Hares served as universal game, especially when other types of hunting were limited (for example, during seasonal migrations of other species).

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.

The paper is devoted to the Middle and Upper Pleistocene stratigraphy of the Vychegda River basin, located in the far northeast of Europe, in the Timan–Pechora–Vychegda subzone of the Middle–Late Pleistocene glaciations. The available litho-/chrono-/biostratigraphy data were have been obtained from more than 20 natural outcrops along the valley of Vychegda and its tributaries, which were studied lithostratigraphically. Also radiocarbon, OSL, IR-OSL and 230Th/U dating was performed, together with pollen and palaeocarpological analyses. The oldest glacial deposits are related to the Pechora horizon (MIS 8), and the oldest numerically dated relate to the Rodionovo horizon (Schoningen, MIS 7), embracing the chronostratigraphic archive of the last ~250 ka. The Vychegda horizon (Drenthe + Warthe, MIS 6) includes surficial tills, glaciofluvial and glaciolacustrine sediments dated back to 186–111 ka. This ice sheet produced the ice-dammed lake which overflowed into the Kama-Volga and Caspian basin. The Last Interglacial–Glacial cycle is associated with the Sula horizon (Eemian + Lower Weichselian, MIS 5), and the Nenetsky superhorizon with the Laya (Middle Weichselian, MIS 4), Byzovaya (Middle Weichselian, MIS 3) and Polar (Upper Weichselian, MIS 2) horizons, reflecting alluvial and aeolian sedimentary environments. The chronostratigraphic record of the Byzovaya (67–27 ka) and Polar (27–1 1.7 ka) horizons is well supported with 14C, OSL, IR-OSL and 230Th/U-dates and biostratigraphic data. Unlike the predecessors' descriptions no glaciolacustrine deposits had been identified for these horizons. The Holocene floodplain, aeolian and peat bog deposits dated from 11.7 ka are widespread over the Vychegda catchment area.

This work reconstructs changes in the Holocene paleolandscape, plants, and climate conditions of the Upper Kama Region based on integrated analysis of data collected through paleochannel, palynological, paleocarpological, and radiocarbon methods. The selection of these methods is determined from the objective to reconstruct paleoenvironmental conditions of human settling in this region. Parallel use of archeological and natural science methods has proved to deliver good results, while comparison of the findings revealed spatial patterns in the distribution of archeological sites of different ages and allowed detailed reconstructions of the Holocene paleoenvironment.

Diatom analysis and radiocarbon dating of the sedimentary cover of the terraces on the South-East coast of Gorlo Strait (White Sea) from Cape Veprevsky to Cape Intsy were carried out for the first time. The Holocene marine sediments traced to 4 m a.s.l. The rise in relative sea level occurred during Boreal and first half of Atlantic. The sea level reached the present value not earlier than 8500 14C yrs BP and probably stabilized at 3,5-4,0 m a.s.l. about 6300 14C yrs BP. The regression of the sea dates approximately 3000 14C yrs BP when coastal sedimentation changed to sediment formation in land environments. Higher levels were formed earlier 9500-8500 14C yrs BP and were not later flooded by the sea according to the diatom analysis data. During the Early Holocene regression, assumptive paleosoil horizons were formed there. They are covered by lacustrine, peaty, and aeolian sediments.

Diatom analysis and radiocarbon dating of the sedimentary cover of terraces on the southeastern coast of the Gorlo Strait (White Sea) were carried out for the first time. The studies were conducted at sites from Cape Veprevskii to Cape Intsy. The Holocene marine sediments were traced up to 4 m a.s.l. The relative sea level rose during the Boreal and the first half of the Atlantic periods. The sea level reached the present value not earlier than 8500 14C ysr BP and probably was stabilized at 3.5–4.0 m a.s.l. about 6300 14C yrs BP. The sea regression is dated to approximately 3000 14C yrs BP, when the marine settings of sediment accumulation changed to continental ones. The higher levels were formed prior to 9500–8500 14C yrs BP and were not later flooded by the sea according to the data of diatom analysis. During the Early Holocene regression, the assumptive paleosol horizons were formed there. They are covered by lacustrine, peaty, and aeolian sediments.

—The paper presents new lithological, geochronological, and biostratigraphic data on the studied sections of the Middle Valdai interstadial sediments in the sections of two terraces in the basin of the Severnaya Dvina River and on the southern coast of the Kola Region and in its southwestern part. The obtained data are correlated with the data available for other regions of northeastern Europe. The Severnaya Dvina River was found to have flowed into a marine reservoir existed in the White Sea basin throughout the Middle Valdai time corresponding to Marine Isotopic Stage 3 (MIS 3). The alluvial sedimentation in the river catchment area occurred in the environment of base level instability and permanently changing climate. In northeastern Europe, the warmest (optimum) intervals are related to the time spans of 47–43 and 31.3–29.2 cal. ka BP. In general, the available data point to 12 warming and cooling episodes in northeastern Europe.

This paper reports on the lithological, micropaleontological, and chronometric data (radiocarbon dating) for one of the areas of the White Sea coast. The sedimentary sequences were studied in the current lake basins, which were separated from the large basin at different times. The basin was situated in the head of the current Onega Bay. On the basis of these data, the bottom sediments were stratified and the Late Pleistocene-Holocene paleogeographic settings were reconstructed for the southeastern part of Onega Bay.

This paper reports on the lithological, micropaleontological, and chronometric data (radiocarbon dating) for one of the areas of the White Sea coast. The sedimentary sequences were studied in the current lake basins, which were separated from the large basin at different times. The basin was situated in the head of the current Onega Bay. On the basis of these data, the bottom sediments were stratified and the Late Pleistocene–Holocene paleogeographic settings were reconstructed for the southeastern part of Onega Bay.

The territory of investigations is located in the SE periphery of the Fennoscandian Shield. It served as an arena of periodic significant restructuring of the hydrographic network associated with the filling and discharge of large late-glacial and Holocene basins during the degradation of the Scandinavian ice sheet and in postglacial time. One such restructuring is a sudden change of the Saimaa Lake direction of flow in the middle Holocene from the west to south to the Lake Ladoga basin via the drainage hollow, inherited by modern Vuoksi River valley. Origin of the Vuoksi River is associated with the catastrophic water breakthrough of the Saimaa Lake across the marginal ridge Salpausselkä I of about 5.7 cal. kyr BP. This event usually connects with water accumulation and overflow due to non-uniform post-glacial uplift according to modern concepts. The authors propose a great earthquake as the immediate cause of the break waters of Saimaa Lake. This suggestion is based on the study of specific deformations of the rocky riverbed in the area of breakthrough and of the loose deposits in the banks of the Vuoksi River valley downstream. Open cracks and horizontally displaced rock blocks were discovered in the area of the former rapids near town Imatra. Their systematic displacements on the both sides of the rocky gorge indicate the shear kinematics of fault zone. Different types of deformations had occurred in loose sediments of the low terraces (3–4 m) in the Vuoksi River valley and 20–30 km below the headwaters. In three studied stratigraphic sections the three cardinal different types of deformations were discovered: 1) normal fault with vertical displacements, 2) tectonic inclination, and 3) traces of catastrophic mudflow. The time diapason of the terrace forming (and of the corresponding deformations) is determined of 8.3 to 1.8 cal. kyr BP (by the ages of adjacent terrace levels), which corresponds to the origination time of the Vuoksi River. The earthquake, which presumably was a trigger for the formation of the Vuoksi River, was generated by the activation of ancient fault zone, manifested in the crystalline foundation. Periodic post-glacial tectonic activity of this zone is revealed in traces of strong seismic events both in the bedrock (initial emergence of the gorge, its renewal during the breakthrough), and in loose deposits (deformations in different levels of terraces).

A detailed palynological record and the results of radiocarbon dating of sediments from the Dedyukhinskii floodplain massif in the vicinity of Lake Chashkinskoe (the Upper Kama region; 59°23′ N, 56°34.5′ E) have been used to reconstruct basic stages in the Middle to Late Holocene dynamics of vegetation. The results show that in the Atlantic period broadleaf tree species played a secondary role in forest formations of taiga and subtaiga types. Broadleaf–conifer forests became dominant in the Subboreal period, with fir widely spreading in the forests during its second half. During the Subatlantic period, forest formations acquired their recent taiga character.

The vertebrate fauna from the cave deposits in Imanai Cave in the Southern Urals (53°02' N, 56°26'E) has been studied. It contains 715 bones that belonged to at least 11 individuals of fossil lion (Panthera (Leo) ex gr. fossilis-spelaea). It has been established that this is one of the largest Eurasian burial sites of fossil lions. The bones were accumulated due to the natural death of animals inside the cave. The age and sex estimations have shown that at least six adult males and five adult females died there. According to the accompanying fauna, radiocarbon, geochemical, and mineralogical analyses and archaeological finds, the interval of the lion bone accumulation is determined as the first half to middle of Late Pleistocene (OIS 5-3).

We present the preliminary results of the granulometric and geochemical analyses of lake-bottom sediments obtained from the Murmanskoe and Maloe Murmanskoe lakes. Based on the collected data, we reconstructed changes of relative sea-level (RSL) in the Gulf of Dvina (White Sea) during the Holocene. The conditions and maximum levels of two transgressions (Late Glacial and Tapes) and one Early Holocene regression were identified.

The results of studies are presented for the elemental composition of peat from the Ilas ombrotrophic bog (White Sea drainage basin). The calculations of enrichment factors of trace elements over the section of the bog peat relatively to the average composition of the Earth’s continental crust showed that the concentrations of most of chemical elements is determined by the contributions of lithogenic and biogenic sources, and the content of trace elements is equal to the background level. Enrichment growth since the beginning of intense development of European industry until the early 21th century was revealed only for Zn, Sb, Pb, and Cd. These elements were supplied to the bog resulting from long-range air transport and precipitation from the atmosphere. No pronounced heavy-metal contamination caused by the Arkhangelsk agglomeration was revealed for the peat in the Ilas bog.

Geological and geomorphological settings are often taken into account when choosing strategy in archaeological studies. In the Vychegda River valley (Archangelsk Province, Komi Republic), at the end of the Late Pleistocene and in the Holocene, lateral channel migrations were the dominant process of riverine landscape changes and hence directly influenced human occupation of the valley. Therefore, to assess the physical settings of archaeological sites we employed paleochannel analysis, a geomorphological technique aimed at reconstructing river channel transformations in the historical and geological past. The potential application of paleochannel analysis in archaeology includes designing archaeological surveys and predicting destructive river actions at archaeological sites located in river valleys.

Excavation of the Schurovo archaeological site, located on a ~12-m river terrace, has revealed 3 occupation periods: 1) as a dwelling site of the Migration period (4th–5th centuries AD); 2) as local burial mounds (termed “houses of the dead” in Russian); 3) and as a ground burial period, which left a cremation layer directly on the ground and is now covered by the Little Ice Age overbank alluvium. The latter 2 periods contain few artifacts, which makes radiocarbon dating more appropriate for establishing their chronology. The burial mounds were dated to the mid-6th to mid-7th centuries AD. The accumulation of colluvium in mound ditches points to a rather long (at least a century) pause between the construction of burial mounds and the appearance of ground burials. Dates from the cremation layer (ground burials) span a wide range from the 8th to 13th centuries AD. As the younger dates do not correspond to regional historical and archaeological contexts, we believe them to be “rejuvenated” due to their long exposure before burial to the young alluvium. The ground burials are dated to the mid-8th to mid-10th centuries AD, the so-called “dark ages” in the Moscow region characterized by very few archaeological data. An isolated ancient branch of the Oka River near the archaeological site was radiocarbon dated and found to be active until the mid-10th to later-12th centuries AD, meaning that it was likely used as a local harbor on the transit river route throughout the site’s occupation. DOI: 10.2458/azu_js_rc.v54i3–4.16130

In this paper, a detailed overview of the Holocene evolution of the North Dvina river (ND) delta (southern White Sea) is presented; it is based on radiocarbon dating, geomorphological and other field surveys, and plant macrofossil and palynological data. We have identified three main stages of the delta evolution: estuary erosional (Allerød — 5700 cal BC), lagoon or tidal-marsh (5700 cal BC — 3700 cal BC) and fan-delta accumulative (3700 cal BC — present). These stages are correlated with local climatic curves, sea level changes, glacioisostatic raise curve and Baltic Sea stages. A variety of landforms has been identified and dated within the delta. These results help to explain the spatial and temporal patterns in the prehistoric human occupation of this area.