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

Reiss L, Stüwe C, Einwogerer T, Handel M, Maier A, Meng S, Pasda K, Simon U, Zolitschka B, Mayr C (2022)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2022

Journal

E&G Quaternary science journal Deutsche Quartärvereinigung (DEUQUA)

Book Volume: 71

Pages Range: 23-43

Journal Issue: 1

DOI: 10.5194/egqsj-71-23-2022

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 (delta C-13(org)) and of rhizoconcretions (delta C-13, delta O-18) were analysed to provide information on palaeoenvironmental conditions. Low-resolution geochemical and sedimentological analyses document a humidity-related variability, while delta C-13(org) values indicate predominant C-3 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.

Authors with CRIS profile

Lilian Reiss Institut für Geographie Christoph Mayr Institut für Geographie

Involved external institutions

Österreichische Akademie der Wissenschaften AT Austria (AT) Universität Bremen DE Germany (DE) Universität Greifswald DE Germany (DE) Universität zu Köln DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Reiss, L., Stüwe, C., Einwogerer, T., Handel, M., Maier, A., Meng, S.,... Mayr, C. (2022). Evaluation of geochemical proxies and radiocarbon data from a loess record of the Upper Palaeolithic site Kammern-Grubgraben, Lower Austria. E&G Quaternary science journal, 71(1), 23-43. https://dx.doi.org/10.5194/egqsj-71-23-2022

MLA:

Reiss, Lilian, et al. "Evaluation of geochemical proxies and radiocarbon data from a loess record of the Upper Palaeolithic site Kammern-Grubgraben, Lower Austria." E&G Quaternary science journal 71.1 (2022): 23-43.

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