Evaluation of geochemical proxies and radiocarbon data from a loess record of the Upper Palaeolithic site Kammern-Grubgraben, Lower Austria

Language
en
Document Type
Article
Issue Date
2023-06-27
First published
2022-02-14
Issue Year
2022
Authors
Reiss, Lilian
Stüwe, Christian
Einwögerer, Thomas
Händel, Marc
Maier, Andreas
Meng, Stefan
Pasda, Kerstin
Simon, Ulrich
Zolitschka, Bernd
Mayr, Christoph
Editor
Abstract

Two loess sections from the Upper Palaeolithic site of Kammern-Grubgraben (Lower Austria) were analysed to test geochemical proxies, as well as radiocarbon data of different components, for their reliability and consistency in an archaeological context. Only a reliable basal age (28.9–27.8 ka cal BP) was obtained from charcoal fragments derived from a tundra gley underlying the archaeological horizons and assigned to Greenland Interstadials 3 or 4. Grain size, organic and inorganic geochemistry, and stable isotopes of the fine organic fraction (δ13Corg) and of rhizoconcretions (δ13C, δ18O) were analysed to provide information on palaeoenvironmental conditions. Low-resolution geochemical and sedimentological analyses document a humidity-related variability, while δ13Corg values indicate predominant C3 vegetation. High-resolution elemental variations derived from X-ray fluorescence scanning exhibit increasing Ca and decreasing Fe and Ti values, indicating drier conditions towards the top. Secondary pedogenic carbonate concretions provide post-sedimentary (Holocene) ages and are not suitable for assessing climate and environmental changes for the Palaeolithic.

Journal Title
E&G Quaternary Science Journal
Volume
71
Issue
1
Citation
E&G Quaternary Science Journal 71.1 (2022): S. 23-43. <https://egqsj.copernicus.org/articles/71/23/2022/>
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