Prehistoric land use at an archaeological hot-spot (the rock art park of Campo Lameiro, NW Spain) inferred from charcoal, synanthropic pollen and non-pollen palynomorph proxies

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• 作者：Joeri Kaal^a ; ^{joeri.kaal@incipit.csic.es} ; ^{joeri@samage.net} ; Felipe Criado-Boado^a ; Manuela Costa-Casais^a ; José ; Antonio Ló ; pez-Sá ; ez^b ; Lourdes Ló ; pez-Merino^c ; Tim Mighall^d ; Yolanda Carrió ; n^e ; Noem&#237 ; Silva Sá ; nchez^f ; Antonio Mart&#237 ; nez Cortizas^f
• 关键词：Campo Lameiro (NW Spain) ; Rock art ; Human activities ; Vegetation change ; Pollen ; Non-pollen palynomorphs ; Charcoal
• 刊名：Journal of Archaeological Science
• 出版年：2013
• 出版时间：March, 2013
• 年：2013
• 卷：40
• 期：3
• 页码：1518-1527
• 全文大小：1241 K

文摘

Pollen, non-pollen palynomorphs and charcoal from a colluvial soil surrounded by prehistoric petroglyphs (Campo Lameiro, NW Spain) were studied in order to assess the nature of human activities and their impact on Holocene vegetation patterns. Several phases of anthropogenic impact were observed. (i)?Between 7.6 and 6.5?ka?cal?BP, synanthropic taxa (Urtica dioica type, Plantago lanceolata type) and coprophilous fungi (e.g. Sporormiella-type) are indicative of early (pre-agricultural) creation of small patches of pasture using fire, possibly for incipient animal husbandry or as part of a deliberate strategy to improve game availability. Such activities only had a minor effect on the deciduous Quercus-dominated forest established earlier during the Holocene Thermal Maximum. (ii) Between 5.9 and 4.8?ka?cal?BP a more intense signal indicative of pastoral activity was detected, corresponding to the Neolithic period. (iii) Between 4.8 and 3.4?ka?cal?BP, which fits within the hypothetical timeframe of petroglyph creation, the synanthropic and humidity (e.g. Cyperaceae, Mougeotia) indicators diminished while charcoal concentration increased, which can be explained by Mid-Holocene cooling/drying (Neoglaciation) in combination with reduced human impact, or by non-pastoral activities in the area possibly in association with the development of the rock art culture, converting pasture to protected open ground through anthropogenic fires. (iv) During the Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age (3.4-2.5?ka?cal?BP), grazing pressure and fire regime intensity are high, coinciding with evidence of regional forest regression, despite an amelioration in climate. (v) Later phases, not corresponding to prehistoric rock art contexts, include a phase of heavy grazing and reduced fire frequency (from ca. 2.5 to 1.2?ka?cal?BP) as well as the near complete elimination of the deciduous woodland, the expansion of ericaceous shrubland and the evidence of local agriculture and afforestation. These results are consistent with earlier studies in the area and highlight the spatial heterogeneity in the vegetation especially during periods of prehistoric anthropogenic interference.