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Selected parameters and interpretations of the micromorphological analyses of cores SC40 (Salsitz) and TC9 (Trebnitz) (sample locations please see Fig. 4a, c). Red colors indicate intensive, and yellow colors less intensive features.

Figure 4 Selected parameters and interpretations of the micromorphological analyses of cores SC40 (Salsitz) and TC9 (Trebnitz) (sample locations please see Fig. 4a, c). Red colors indicate intensive, and yellow colors less intensive features.

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Fig. 1. (a) Location of the WeiBe Elster catchment in Central Germany, (b) the WeiSe Elster catchment. Highlighted are the floodplain area, the loess cover, curren’ and former floodplain study sites, pollen site Kieritzsch (Kretschmer and Viol, 2020), the Altenburg-Zeitz Loess Hill Area (BFN, 2012) and the northern limit of Pre- Permian rocks (SLUG, 1992), (c) monthly discharge values of the station Zeitz 1941-2014 (location see Fig. b) (www.hochwasservorhersage.sachsen-anhalt.de).
Fig. 1. (a) Location of the WeiBe Elster catchment in Central Germany, (b) the WeiSe Elster catchment. Highlighted are the floodplain area, the loess cover, curren’ and former floodplain study sites, pollen site Kieritzsch (Kretschmer and Viol, 2020), the Altenburg-Zeitz Loess Hill Area (BFN, 2012) and the northern limit of Pre- Permian rocks (SLUG, 1992), (c) monthly discharge values of the station Zeitz 1941-2014 (location see Fig. b) (www.hochwasservorhersage.sachsen-anhalt.de).
Fig. 2. The sites in the Weife Elster floodplain that were investigated during this study, including the positions of cores that were sedimentologically and/or micromorphologically analyzed. Furthermore, the locations of the transects and areas studied by von Suchodoletz et al. (2022) to investigate the local fluvial ar- chitecture are shown: (a) Salsitz, (b) Trebnitz, (c) Meilitz.
Fig. 2. The sites in the Weife Elster floodplain that were investigated during this study, including the positions of cores that were sedimentologically and/or micromorphologically analyzed. Furthermore, the locations of the transects and areas studied by von Suchodoletz et al. (2022) to investigate the local fluvial ar- chitecture are shown: (a) Salsitz, (b) Trebnitz, (c) Meilitz.
Please note: Based on their stratigraphic context, some radiocarbon ages obviously represent re-deposited charcoal samples (marked with *). These ages are n included into the age model. For more detailed explanation see text. Table 1
Please note: Based on their stratigraphic context, some radiocarbon ages obviously represent re-deposited charcoal samples (marked with *). These ages are n included into the age model. For more detailed explanation see text. Table 1
List of luminescence samples, and analytical results of luminescence dating.
List of luminescence samples, and analytical results of luminescence dating.
Table 2 (continued )
Table 2 (continued )
Fig. 3. The studied transects with radiocarbon and luminescence ages, sediments belonging to different overbank sedimentation phases (defined based on strat graphical features and numerical dating; see Figs. 7 and 8), and the positions of analyzed cores: (a) Salsitz. The radiocarbon ages of this transect were taken fror Ballasus et al. (2022a), but re-calibrated using the Intcal20 calibration curve (Reimer et al., 2020). (b) Trebnitz, (c) Meilitz. The locations of the transects, including the spatial distributions of the terrace levels, are given in Fig. 2. WE = WeiB8e Elster River, Ap = plough horizon.
Fig. 3. The studied transects with radiocarbon and luminescence ages, sediments belonging to different overbank sedimentation phases (defined based on strat graphical features and numerical dating; see Figs. 7 and 8), and the positions of analyzed cores: (a) Salsitz. The radiocarbon ages of this transect were taken fror Ballasus et al. (2022a), but re-calibrated using the Intcal20 calibration curve (Reimer et al., 2020). (b) Trebnitz, (c) Meilitz. The locations of the transects, including the spatial distributions of the terrace levels, are given in Fig. 2. WE = WeiB8e Elster River, Ap = plough horizon.
Fig. 4. Profile drawings of the six analyzed cores with overbank sedimentation phases and analytical values with interpretations from Salsitz (a, b), Trebnitz (c, d and Meilitz (e, f). Furthermore, numerical ages from these cores probably representing sedimentation ages are shown.
Fig. 4. Profile drawings of the six analyzed cores with overbank sedimentation phases and analytical values with interpretations from Salsitz (a, b), Trebnitz (c, d and Meilitz (e, f). Furthermore, numerical ages from these cores probably representing sedimentation ages are shown.
‘ig. 5. Photos of selected micromorphological samples of: Core SC40 in transect Salsitz: (a) Sample 4 (paleosol S-PS-2): clay coatings associated with mangane iodules (left side) next to a pale, sand rich domain characterized by iron and clay depletion (PPL), (b) Sample 6 (paleosol S-PS-3): different types of clay with roundmass and along pores (white arrows; XPL), (c) Sample 7 (overbank sediment below S-PS-3): thick limpid and partly dusty clay coating related to clay ill ‘iation (PPL). ‘ore TCO in transect Trebnitz: (d) Sample 2 (“Black Floodplain Soil” T-PS-3): charred fragile material, (e) Sample 2 (“Black Floodplain” Soil T-PS-3): iron nodul PPT.) (f) Sample 3 (overhank sediment): lavered charcoal fragments.
‘ig. 5. Photos of selected micromorphological samples of: Core SC40 in transect Salsitz: (a) Sample 4 (paleosol S-PS-2): clay coatings associated with mangane iodules (left side) next to a pale, sand rich domain characterized by iron and clay depletion (PPL), (b) Sample 6 (paleosol S-PS-3): different types of clay with roundmass and along pores (white arrows; XPL), (c) Sample 7 (overbank sediment below S-PS-3): thick limpid and partly dusty clay coating related to clay ill ‘iation (PPL). ‘ore TCO in transect Trebnitz: (d) Sample 2 (“Black Floodplain Soil” T-PS-3): charred fragile material, (e) Sample 2 (“Black Floodplain” Soil T-PS-3): iron nodul PPT.) (f) Sample 3 (overhank sediment): lavered charcoal fragments.
Settlement activity in the study area since the Early Neolithic based on archaeological data. * These lines indicate finds that could chronologically not further be classified.
Settlement activity in the study area since the Early Neolithic based on archaeological data. * These lines indicate finds that could chronologically not further be classified.
Number of foundations of villages in the study area between 800 and 1600 CE based on written historical data. * Data for: Total site sub-catchment/local site sub-catchment up to 10 km upstream.
Number of foundations of villages in the study area between 800 and 1600 CE based on written historical data. * Data for: Total site sub-catchment/local site sub-catchment up to 10 km upstream.
Fig. 6. Former settlement patterns in the study area: (a) Overview of the total and local (up to 10 km upstream from the site locations) site sub-catchments, (b) pattern of the Urnfield Period (3.2-2.8 ka) based on archaeological data, (c) pattern of the Middle Ages/Early Modern Period (village foundations) mainly based on written historical data.
Fig. 6. Former settlement patterns in the study area: (a) Overview of the total and local (up to 10 km upstream from the site locations) site sub-catchments, (b) pattern of the Urnfield Period (3.2-2.8 ka) based on archaeological data, (c) pattern of the Middle Ages/Early Modern Period (village foundations) mainly based on written historical data.
Fig. 7. Compilation of the overbank sedimentation phases at the studied transects in the middle Weife Elster floodplain together with the numerical ages. Furthermore, phases of strong lateral reworking are shown. The subdivision of the Holocene relates to Walker et al. (2019).
Fig. 7. Compilation of the overbank sedimentation phases at the studied transects in the middle Weife Elster floodplain together with the numerical ages. Furthermore, phases of strong lateral reworking are shown. The subdivision of the Holocene relates to Walker et al. (2019).
Fig. 8. Comparison of phases of overbank sedimentation (blue shaded) and lateral reworking in the Weife Elster floodplain with former settlement patterns, former studies about regional rivers (locations see Fig. 1a) and Central European paleoclimatic/environmental data. We show different graphs of former settlement activity based on archaeology and history, since these are based on different methods. (For interpretation of the references to color in this figure legend, the reader is referred to the web version of this article.)
Fig. 8. Comparison of phases of overbank sedimentation (blue shaded) and lateral reworking in the Weife Elster floodplain with former settlement patterns, former studies about regional rivers (locations see Fig. 1a) and Central European paleoclimatic/environmental data. We show different graphs of former settlement activity based on archaeology and history, since these are based on different methods. (For interpretation of the references to color in this figure legend, the reader is referred to the web version of this article.)
Fig. 9. Results of land snail analyses in Central Germany (Mania, 1972), and current mean annual precipitation patterns. Furthermore, the Weife Elster catchment (brown) with our studied transects (S = Salsitz, T = Trebitz, M = Meilitz) is shown. The 500 mm/a (hatched) and 600 mm/a (solid) isohyets of annual precipitation are based on data of the German Meteorological Service (DWD). The topography of the maps is based on SRTM 90 m v. 4.1 data, and the chronology of the Boreal and Atlantic periods was taken from Kaiser et al. (2023). (For interpretation of the references to color in this figure legend, the reader is referred to the web version of this article.) missing direct evidence local fire activity could also have played a role for phase (i), since the Central German lowlands showed a prolonged dominance of relatively easily burning pinus trees until the Atlantic period (Litt, 1992, unpublished results from site Kieritzsch). Furthermore, Early and Middle Holocene land snail data from sedi- ment archives in Central Germany show many species preferring open vegetation in the drier lowlands, and only in the higher alti- tudes of the neighboring mid-mountain ranges the proportions of typical forest species increased during that time (Mania, 1972; Fig. 9). The concomitant dominance of tree (pinus) over non-arboreal pollen in Zoschen (Litt, 1992) and Kieritzsch (unpublished results) from the same area can possibly be explained by different spatial scales of both proxies: Whereas pollen is distributed by wind over several kilometers reflecting the regional vegetation (Schwark et al., 2002), land snails only have spatial ranges of <100 m giving local information (Edworthy et al., 2012; Parkyn et al., 2014). Hence, prior to Neolithic settlement the drier regions of Central Germany, possibly also including our studied sites and parts of their sub- catchments with current precipitation <600 mm/a (Fig. 9), obvi- ously also showed interspersed non-forested habitats. Our study area was partly intensively settled since the Early Neolithic. Accordingly, since that time most overbank sedimentation phases temporally coincided with human settlement. However, for phase (iv) we observe a time lag between intensive settlement and following overbank sedimentation. As mentioned above this could possibly be linked with a sediment cascade, i.e., slope material that was
Fig. 9. Results of land snail analyses in Central Germany (Mania, 1972), and current mean annual precipitation patterns. Furthermore, the Weife Elster catchment (brown) with our studied transects (S = Salsitz, T = Trebitz, M = Meilitz) is shown. The 500 mm/a (hatched) and 600 mm/a (solid) isohyets of annual precipitation are based on data of the German Meteorological Service (DWD). The topography of the maps is based on SRTM 90 m v. 4.1 data, and the chronology of the Boreal and Atlantic periods was taken from Kaiser et al. (2023). (For interpretation of the references to color in this figure legend, the reader is referred to the web version of this article.) missing direct evidence local fire activity could also have played a role for phase (i), since the Central German lowlands showed a prolonged dominance of relatively easily burning pinus trees until the Atlantic period (Litt, 1992, unpublished results from site Kieritzsch). Furthermore, Early and Middle Holocene land snail data from sedi- ment archives in Central Germany show many species preferring open vegetation in the drier lowlands, and only in the higher alti- tudes of the neighboring mid-mountain ranges the proportions of typical forest species increased during that time (Mania, 1972; Fig. 9). The concomitant dominance of tree (pinus) over non-arboreal pollen in Zoschen (Litt, 1992) and Kieritzsch (unpublished results) from the same area can possibly be explained by different spatial scales of both proxies: Whereas pollen is distributed by wind over several kilometers reflecting the regional vegetation (Schwark et al., 2002), land snails only have spatial ranges of <100 m giving local information (Edworthy et al., 2012; Parkyn et al., 2014). Hence, prior to Neolithic settlement the drier regions of Central Germany, possibly also including our studied sites and parts of their sub- catchments with current precipitation <600 mm/a (Fig. 9), obvi- ously also showed interspersed non-forested habitats. Our study area was partly intensively settled since the Early Neolithic. Accordingly, since that time most overbank sedimentation phases temporally coincided with human settlement. However, for phase (iv) we observe a time lag between intensive settlement and following overbank sedimentation. As mentioned above this could possibly be linked with a sediment cascade, i.e., slope material that was
Related topics:
Climate ChangeCentral European historyFluvial GeomorphologyLuminescence DatingSettlement archaeologyFluvial SedimentologyHolocene environmental changeArchaeological Soil and Sediment Micromorphology
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