Jerzy Nitychoruk

Parrotia persica C.A.M. (Persian witch hazel, Persian ironwood) in the Mazovian (Holsteinian) Interglacial of Poland

Palynological studies of Holsteinian lake sediments from the Podlasie region, eastern Poland, reveal a relatively abundant occurrence of Parrotia persica pollen (Hamamelidaceae). This species, unknown in the late stage of Pleistocene in Poland, was noted in the climatic optimum. This is a new floristic element, which permits a more precise identification of climate changes and which may also be potentially useful as a stratigraphical tool in age determination to separate different interglacial. The similarity to other pollen types of Hamamelidaceae is discussed, and a provisional description for pollen identification of some related taxa provided.

Preliminary report on unique laminated Holocene sediments from the Qarun Lake in Egypt

Abstract The Lake Qarun (Faiyum Oasis, northern Egypt) is a relic of the much larger Holocene lake. Past lake levels and extensions were reconstructed, based on setting of archaeological sites scattered along northern paleoshores of the ancient lake. However, geoarcheological works did not yield enough data to establish continuous environmental history of the lake. A deep drilling FA-1 on the southeastern shore of the lake, performed in 2014, supplied with a core, 26 m long that is the one of the longest lake sediment cores in northeastern Africa. The basal section of the core consisted of thin-laminated diatom marly deposits, underlain at the Late Pleistocene/Holocene boundary by coarse-grained sands. The sediment lamine were quite well developed, especially in the lower part of the core. Preliminary results indicated annually deposited sediment sequence with seasonality signals provided by microlamine of diatoms, calcite, organic matter and clastic material. Early Holocene varved sediments from the Faiyum Oasis supplied with exceptional paleoenvironmental data for northeastern Africa, which enriched a record from previous logs drilled at the southwestern margin of the Qarun Lake.

Lightning-caused and human-induced forest fires as evidenced by Pteridium spores in selected Quaternary records from Poland

Abstract The occurrence of Pteridium spores - the common fire-adapted plant - was observed in Poland’s Pleistocene (three interglacials and numerous interstadials) and Holocene pollen sequences. Until the onset of the middle Holocene, bracken was recorded relatively rarely. This marks climatic conditions with sporadic wildfires, followed by quick re- moval of the clones (or maintenance of the clones in a suppressed state) in the subsequent, post fire successional stages. In each interglacial we can also identify short periods (most often synchronous) of somewhat higher frequency of Pteridium, indicating a possible increase in natural fires as an effect of stormy conditions. These short periods are placed mainly within phases dominated by coniferous woodlands. The very high content of bracken found from a reanalysis of the long Saalian sequence at Ossówka as three regular culminations just above three non-tree phases, eastern Poland is the unique exception. To explain this we found the close modem analogue of the above phenomenon in the Alaskan region, at the boundary between the tundra and the boreal zone where in a very narrow forest zone, especially with the continental signature, lightning-initiated fires are very frequent (the edge effect). Pleistocene records of bracken during forest periods might indicate that thunderstorms and lightning strikes were responsible for its higher content. This is not to exclude the possibility that interglacial fires were set by Palaeolithic humans. However, it is more likely that the wildfires were utilized and to some extent controlled, especially at Ossówka, where the palaeolake existed for a long time after the interglacial; and this surely attracted the attention of game and humans. Our investigations show that rare, more abundant Pteridium in the Pleistocene sequences can be traced throughout the corresponding periods even at distant sites. This might be indirect evidence of a climatic pattern that promote stormy conditions and fires at that time. In the Holocene, different factors seem to be responsible for the long-term dynamics in Pteridium clones. Both in Poland and in adjacent areas bracken peaked in the middle Holocene from 8000 to 5000 BP, when this territory was occupied by deciduous woodlands. There is agreement that this is due to burning of forests by the hunter-gatherer societies of the Late Mesolithic. However, in spite of increased clearings in the subsequent phases bracken substantially decreased in abundance. This means first of all that fires rather than clearings were responsible for the rise in Pteridium spores in the Holocene pollen sequences.

Results of Integrated Geoarchaeological Prospection of Unique Iron Age Hillfort Located on Radomno Lake Island in North-Eastern Poland

Abstract Archaeology of north-eastern Poland has been poorly recognized owing to vast forest areas and numerous lakes. This particularly refers to the Warmian-Masurian Voivodship, where forest covers over 30% of its area. Prospection of forested areas has become possible in Poland just over 10 years ago with the Airborne Laser Scanning (ALS) and Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR). These techniques allow obtaining 3-D documentation of recognized and also unknown archaeological sites in the forested areas. Thanks to ALS/LiDAR prospection a significant number of archaeological structures have been identified also in the Warmia and Masuria regions. Among them oval-shaped hillforts, surrounded by perfectly spaced concentric moats and ramparts, located mainly on islands and in wetland areas, have raised particular attention. Based on field prospection and results of preliminary excavations, these objects have been considered as Iron Age hillforts. One of the best preserved objects of this type is on the Radomno Lake island, located several kilometres to the south of Iława town. Integrated geoarchaeological prospection of this hillfort emphasized benefits of using LiDAR in combination with results of geophysical prospection and shallow drillings. Applied methodology enabled to document the hillfort shape, and to study its geological structure and stratigraphy. The results clearly indicate that integration of LiDAR data with geophysical prospecting is indispensable in future archaeological surveys. It is a perfect tool for remote sensing of archaeological objects in forest areas, so far not available for traditional archaeology.

Diatom Stratigraphy of FA-1 Core, Qarun Lake, Records of Holocene Environmental and Climatic Change in Faiyum Oasis, Egypt

Abstract This study evaluates changes in the environmental and climatic conditions in the Faiyum Oasis during the Holocene based on diatom analyses of the sediment FA-1 core from the southern seashore of the Qarun Lake. The studied FA-1 core was 26 m long and covered the time span ca. 9.000 cal. yrs BP. Diatom taxa were abundant and moderately to well-preserved throughout the core sediments. Planktonic taxa were most abundant than the benthic and epiphytic forms, which were very rare and sparsely distributed. The most dominant planktonic genera were Aulacoseira and Stephanodiscus followed by frequently distribution of Cyclostephanos and Cyclotella species. The stratigraphic distribution patterns of the recorded diatoms through the Holocene sediments explained five ecological diatom groups. These groups represent distinctive environmental conditions, which were mainly related to climatic changes through the early and middle Holocene, in addition to anthropogenic activity during the late Holocene. Comparison of diatom assemblages in the studied sediment core suggests that considerable changes occurred in water level as well as salinity. There were several high stands of the freshwater lake level during humid, warmer-wet climatic phases marked by dominance of planktonic, oligohalobous and alkaliphilous diatoms alternated with lowering of the lake level and slight increases in salinity and alkalinity during warm arid conditions evident by prevalence of brackish water diatoms.

Geological and Geomorphologic Conditions and Traces of Prehistoric and Historic Human Settlements in the Vicinity of Ulów (Roztocze Region, Southeastern Poland)

Abstract The paper presents determinants of location of the multicultural complex of archaeological sites in the vicinity of Ulów, in the Central Roztocze upland region in south-eastern Poland. Archaeological research revealed that in the area assumed to be devoid of settlements, the settlements of prehistoric and historical communities functioned from the Palaeolithic to modern times. The region was also subjected to environmental examination. Location of sites was analysed, taking into account a convenience of communication in a regional scale and local environmental conditions. Analysis of hydrogeological, geomorphological and soil conditions was carried out, taking into account water supply, communication and the farming development. In-depth analysis included micromorphological DTM (Digital Terrain Model) and geological and soil probing. The area was found to be located on the crossing of prehistoric communication routes the course of which depended on the variability of the physiographic parameters of regions. The functioning of new cultures in the same place resulted from specific local conditions such as: easily arable soils, favourable microclimate, and particularly access to water. The presence of a source of water in a plateau area is determined tectonically (strike-slip fault), lithologically (impermeable marl horizon), and geomorphologically (dissection of the aquifer by an erosion-denudation valley).