Lateglacial–Holocene environments and human occupation in the Upper Lena region of Eastern Siberia derived from sedimentary and zooarchaeological data from Lake Ochaul

In the current study, different geochemical and biological proxies, including pollen, non-pollen palynomorphs, ostracods molluscs, from an AMS radiocarbon-dated sediment core Lake Ochaul (54°14?N, 106°28?E; 641 m a.s.l.) are presented discussed. is a fresh-water lake archaeological site situated ca. 100 km northwest of Baikal in upper reaches Lena River. The 260-cm-long sedimentary record here spans Lateglacial–Holocene interval, between 13,500 cal yr BP present. reconstructions postglacial vegetation system development discussed along with regional climate dynamics hemispheric-scale environmental changes. During Allerød interstadial region around was dominated by sparse taiga forests. Cooling during Younger Dryas led to more open tundra landscape where trees formed patchy forest stands climatically favourable environments. This facilitated rapid spread forests at onset Early Holocene which study probably characterized seasonally dry controlled interplay higher insolation, lower global sea levels remaining ice sheets North Atlantic region. After thermal moisture optimum conditions maximum Middle Holocene, continuous cooling trend landscapes marked Late Holocene. These long-term trends were interrupted several relatively short episodes change algal records, coincide short-term (centennial-scale) Northern Hemisphere cooling/drying phases. shows that reacted sensitively these oscillations. Six radiocarbon dates bone material large herbivorous animals located northern shore provide important information about prehistoric hunter-gatherers indicate activities took place 27,780–27,160 (95% probability range) as well Mesolithic (ca. 8850–8450 BP), Early, Neolithic (between 6840 5490 BP) Iron Age 2120–1930 BP). Our results demonstrate despite major transformations following Last Glacial Maximum, Malaya Anga River valley remained attractive for herbivores hunter-gatherers, even cultural “hiatus” 6660–6060 Cis-Baikal, documented published records.