GEOGRAPHIA POLONICA 2011, 84, Special Issue Part 1, 81–94

ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGES RECORDED IN SOME IMPORTANT PERI- AND META-CARPATHIAN PALAEOLITHIC SITES AND THEIR CHRONOSTRATIGRAPHY

MARIA ŁANCZONT* AND TERESA MADEYSKA** *Department of Geoecology and Palaeogeography, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Al. Kraśnicka 2 cd, 20-718 Lublin, E-mail: [email protected] **Institute of Geological Sciences, Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda 51/55, 00-818 Warszawa, Poland E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract: The actual state of research on natural aspects of history of prehistoric settlement in the peri- and meta-Carpathian zones based on investigations of important multilayer Palaeo- lithic sites is presented. Traces of Palaeolithic people stay, in the form of cultural layers, are found at sites representing three types of sedimentary environment, i.e. cave (Biśnik cave in the Częstochowa Upland, Obłazowa cave in the Podhale region), loess (Galich and Yezupil in the Galich Prydnistrov’ia region, Velykyj Glybochok in the Podil’ia region), and travertine (Hôr- ka-Ondrej and other sites in the Spiš region). Different geological methods were used in investigations of separate site types, and the obtained results are complementary and verify one another. Their comparison enables us to obtain multi- level picture of palaeoenvironmental changes. Correlation of deposit sections in these different types of sites is based on climatically controlled sequences of environmental changes. Chrono- stratigraphic extents of individual cultural units from selected sites and their correlation are based on oxygen-isotope stratigraphy. The extents are presented as continuous despite the fact that cultural layers represent mostly traces of short-lasting settlement. Investigations of Palaeolithic sites in the Podil’ia and Prydnistrov’ia regions proved that settle- ment existed from the penultimate interglacial to the end of the last glacial (MOIS 7-2). Materi- als from the Biśnik cave represent similar period but there are premises that Middle Palaeolithic settlement started earlier.

Key words: Palaeolithic chronology, cave sites, loess sites, travertine sites, palaeoenvironment, Poland,

INTRODUCTION north and north-east of the Carpathians (Poland, Ukraine), have been examined in Geological and palaeontological investiga- the last decades and brought about new in- tions of Palaeolithic sites are the basis for formation about the prehistoric settlement. reconstruction of environment and strati- These sites are irregularly scattered in the graphic position of individual cultural lay- vast foreland zone of the Outer Carpathi- ers, and thus chronology of cultural changes. ans, i.e. mountain foothills and submontane Several important, multilayer Palaeolithic basins (peri-Carpathian zone) together with sites occurring in the area situated to the the meta-Carpathian uplands adjoining

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Figure 1. Location of the studied sites from the north. The sites are associated with that information about palaeoenvironmen- the following geographical regions: Podil’ia, tal changes and comparison of stratigraphic East Carpathian Foreland, and Silesian-Cra- positions of individual cultural layers in cow Upland. We also include into this set an- different sites will be useful in specifying other important site – Obłazowa care situat- time-frames of cultures, at least great cul- ed in the Podhale region, and travertine sites tural units, in different regions of the peri- situated to the south of the Tatra Mountains and meta-Carpathian area. (Fig. 1). Traces of Palaeolithic people stay, in the form of cultural layers, are found in differ- STUDY AREA ent deposits and different morphological situations. Cave sites prevail in the western, The study area is a part of the continental Polish part of the above presented area, and bridge between the Baltic and Black Sea. loess sites – in the eastern, Ukrainian part. A distinct orographic barrier is absent be- Correlation of these different types of cause the European watershed between the sites is based on few dating results and cli- River (tributary of the Vistula River) matically controlled sequences of environ- and Dnister River (flowing across the East mental changes, which are reconstructed Carpathian Foreland) is extremely low and using different methods. Information about indistinct, which is the feature inherited natural environment obtained for these two from the Mesopleistocene stage of relief types of sites complement each other. Cor- evolution (Bogucki et al., 1999). Due to such relations of different archaeological sites morphology, this area is affected both by based on their cultural interpretation are maritime (Atlantic) and continental climate often difficult and dubious due to the differ- varieties. In the palaeogeographic past, in ences in classification of cultural materials glacial stages, this zone was characterized used by archaeologists. The authors hope by great meridional climatic gradient be-

http://rcin.org.pl Environmental changes recorded in some important peri- and meta-Carpathian Palaeolithic sites… 83 tween the maritime southern regions and tures appreciated values of such places dur- ice-sheets in the north. ing many thousands of years. Relief of the eastern part of the dis- An additional advantage of the de- cussed area, i.e. the East Carpathian Fore- scribed area was the proximity of exposures land and Podil’ia, has been shaped since of Turonian flint – a good quality material, the Pliocene. Erosional activity of rivers in which was used for making implements dur- the Quaternary resulted in strong dissec- ing the whole of the Stone Age. Beds of flints tion of tectonically elevated area. Elongated occur in Turonian (Cretaceous) limestone plateaux are separated by flat-bottomed exposed in high banks of rivers of the Galich (East Carpathian Foreland) or canyon-type Prydnistrov’ia and Podil’ia regions. Perigla- (Podil’ia) valleys of the Dnister River tribu- cial alluvia could have also been a source of taries. These two regions are connected flint occurring among river gravels. by the Dnister River main valley. Between The Silesian-Cracow Upland, mainly Zhuravno and Galich, i.e. on the boundary the Polish Jura Chain, due to its diversified between the East Carpathian Foreland and relief, large number of caves, and access to Opolian (Opil’ia) region (western part of the flint, was an area favourable for settlement Podolian Upland), this valley has transitory in the Palaeolithic but only in those, not features between Subcarpathian and Podo- numerous in karst area places, where wa- lian landscapes; the deeply incised Dnister ter was abundant, i.e. springs or permanent canyon is typical of the Podil’ia region, and streams occurred. Most of archaeological high elevated interfluve surfaces occurring findings were discovered in caves and rock between its right-bank tributaries are typical shelters. Besides settlements occurring in of the East Carpathian Foreland. Rivers of the well examined southern part of the Pol- the Opil’ia region flow in asymmetric valleys ish Jura Chain – Cracow Upland, there are with vast flat bottoms. Relief elements of the also settlement centres in its central part, i.e. canyon type are more visible downriver of Częstochowa Upland. We include to the dis- the Galich basin (Galich Prydnistrov’ia re- cussed set the Biśnik cave – the richest site gion). In the Podil’ia part, the Dnister River found in this region. valley represents a typical canyon (Bogucki et al., 2006, 2007). Many Pleistocene wide step-like terraces LOESS SITES AS A SOURCE OF INFORMATION separated by distinct scarps are typical land- ABOUT PALAOENVIRONMENT forms of the deeply incised river valleys. The described morphological conditions Among different types of Quaternary sedi- were attractive for prehistoric communi- ments, loess, as an aeolian deposit, is charac- ties irrespective of variable climatic condi- terized by the possibility of continuous accu- tions in the Pleistocene. Primitive hunters mulation. Formation of loess-soil sequences were especially attracted by good settlement is closely connected with climatic-environ- conditions of protruding terrace noses and mental changes. Loess dust is formed and spurs in river forks (East Carpathian Fore- deposited most intensively under cold and land) as well as hilltop rocks and rock shel- dry climate conditions, but sometimes these ters (Podil’ia), which provided them security processes occur also in warmer periods (in and were excellent observation points with dry seasons), simultaneously with soil for- full view over valley bottoms – natural and mation. However, such an ideal situation rich pastures for animal herds migrating is not common. Even on plateau surfaces, along rivers. Groups of hunters-gatherers which provide the best conditions for forma- located their open seasonal or more stable tion of continuous loess sections, deflation multi-seasonal camps in these places. Open, of aeolian material or sedimentation breaks multilayer archaeological sites indicate that in places exposed to wind action occur. Then Palaeolithic communities of different cul- soils developed during successive soil-form-

http://rcin.org.pl 84 Maria Łanczont and Teresa Madeyska ing processes are superimposed, traces of are carbonate rhizocretions formed on grass earlier events are blurred, and the complex roots, i.e. at a relatively small depth from history of soil formation is not always pos- the palaeosurface. Other carbonate forms, sible to examine. Moreover, solifluction pro- e.g., concretions, formed at greater depth cesses can develop on gently inclined sur- causing difficulties in correlation of isotop- faces of plateau, especially after the phase ic data with the time of loess deposition or of pedogenesis. soil formation. Pollen analysis for some sites Different conditions are found on valley was conducted by M. Komar – a specialist sides where different slope processes, syn- in pollen analysis of clastic deposits (Komar or post-genetic relative to aeolian processes, et al., 2009). Moluscan fauna was examined occur easily. Commonly, numerous stages of by W.P. Alexandrowicz and R. Dmytruk their activity are separated by stages of lim- (Alexandrowicz et al., 2002), and not nu- ited redeposition or its lack when soils are merous vertebrate bones were identified by formed. As a result, in near-valley loess sec- P. Wojtal and G. Lipecki. Thermolumines- tions many sedimentation and soil-forming cence age of deposits was determined by cycles can be found. If we assume that they S. Fedorowicz and J. Kusiak. Radiocarbon are controlled by environmental and climatic dating of organic remnants from the Galich changes (cold and humid conditions favour- site was conducted in the Kiev laboratory. ing slope processes, stoppage of slope pro- Archaeological investigations were man- cesses in warmer periods favouring plants’ aged by O. Sytnyk and K. Cyrek. The results development), we can find sections bear- of these studies were published in many pa- ing a full record of environmental changes. pers (Madeyska, ed. 2002 – including several However, we have to take into consideration chapters bearing the results of different de- that slope processes can be triggered as a re- tailed investigations; Boguckyj et al., 2001, sult of special local situation, e.g., morpho- 2009a,b; Sytnyk et al., 2010, and others). logical one, which gives a false effect of cli- mate change. Palaeoenvironmental reconstructions CAVE SITES AS A SOURCE OF INFORMATION and stratigraphic interpretation of loess sec- ABOUT PALAEOENVIRONMENT tions are mainly based on field observations: examination of palaeosols and their spatial The cave interior is protected by rock walls variability in catenas, observation of sedi- from direct influence of weather conditions, mentary and post-sedimentary structures, especially in case of large caves, so it fa- both frost and slope ones (Łanczont and Bo- vours continuous accumulation of deposits. guckyj, 2002). Detailed analyses of selected However, caves are also not easy to study sections are the next stage of investigations. because Palaeolithic cultural materials are For the examined Ukrainian sites, the main often vertically dispersed throughout nearly lithological methods were used: granulomet- the whole sedimentary sequence, like in the ric analysis (areometric and laser – C. Seul, Biśnik cave, and precise dating of cultural Z. Frankowski), and analysis of typical layers is difficult. Cultural layers, which are geochemical components: calcium carbon- well developed and contained in thin de- ate, iron oxides and organic matter. The posit layer, are rare in caves and often de- degree of palaeosol development was deter- formed. Recent investigations indicate that mined based on chemical analysis of main a part of material found in cave deposits is and trace elements and micromorphologi- often redeposited, like fossil bones, due to cal analysis. Oxygen and carbon stable iso- natural physical processes occurring in de- tope composition of authigenic carbonates posit, which represents unsorted mixture of provides information about vegetation type mineral particles with completely different and palaeotemperature and precipitation grain sizes. Such processes are empirically (Łącka et al., 2007, 2009). The most useful evidenced by the differences in radiocarbon

http://rcin.org.pl Environmental changes recorded in some important peri- and meta-Carpathian Palaeolithic sites… 85 ages (Lorenc, 2007), chemical composition rence of different zoosterols indicates that and state of preservation (Krajcarz, 2009) of organic material originated from herbivores, fossil bones occurring in the same layer. carnivores or man (Krajcarz, 2009). The main research method applied to cave deposits is examination of their lithol- ogy, especially the features resulting from TRAVERTINE SITES AS A SOURCE chemical weathering (indicating warm and OF INFORMATION ABOUT PALAOENVIRONMENT humid climatic conditions) and frost weath- ering (indicating cold and dry conditions) Another kind of Palaeolithic sites are those (Hercman et al., 2004; Madeyska, 1981, occurring in travertine mounds. Several 2006). The occurrence of different clay min- sites of this type occur in Slovakian Spiš erals also illustrates climatic conditions. (Kaminská, 1998). Despite the fact that they Species composition of animal remains are situated outside the studied peri- and found in cave sediments provides important meta-Carpathian zones, they are included data about natural environment in cave sur- in this study owing to geographically close roundings. However, the possibility of draw- occurrence and analogies of archaeological ing correct conclusions is influenced by the materials. As indicated by examination of number of remains and the way of their ac- currently forming travertine in this region, cumulation (Nadachowski, 1989; Wojtal, they were associated with warm springs 2007). Besides remains of animals living in (Gąsiorowski et al., 2010), which were un- a cave, we find also those of their preys so doubtedly attractive for Palaeolithic people. the composition of fossil assemblages only Chronostratigraphic information is based on partially reflects faunal composition of the travertine dating using U-Th method (Ford, past surroundings of the cave. We also have 1995). Pollen analysis, quite difficult in such to take into consideration the above-men- deposits, provides data about palaeovegeta- tioned possibility of redeposition of bone tion. remains in deposit section. Despite these reservations, species composition of fossil faunal assemblages is the source of informa- EXAMINED SITES (SITUATION, DESCRIPTION, tion about natural environment outside the SECTIONS) cave. The degree of bone weathering and diagenesis (determined from the results of The following most important Palaeolithic histological, micromorphological and chem- sites investigated in the last years were se- ical analyses) is also an indicator of climatic lected for our study: Ukrainian sites – Ve- conditions prevailing in the time when bones lykyj Glybochok situated in Podil’ia (Ter- were accumulated in a cave, but not yet cov- nopil Upland), Yezupil and Galich situated ered by deposits (Krajcarz, 2009; Krajcarz on the Dnister River in the so-called Galich and Madeyska, 2010). Recently, the stud- Prydnistrov’ia region (on the borderland ies of so-called molecular fossils have been between the East Carpathian Foreland and undertaken, i.e. determination of plant bio- Podil’ia Upland), Polish sites – Biśnik cave in markers being a source of information about the Silesian-Cracow Upland, and Obłazowa the origin of organic material in deposits. cave in the Podhale region. Information We can deduce that this material originat- about other, earlier examined sites situated ed from decomposition of grass, needles or in the described area was also included. leaves from the content of different n-al- Velykyj Glybochok (Hluboczek Wielki) kanes (Krajcarz et al., 2010). This method site has been investigated since the 1980s. can provide information about the changes It is situated on the right bank of the Seret of past vegetation occurring in deposits, and River, near in Podil’ia, in the Mio- thus help to reconstruct climatic changes dobory (Tovtry) range, in the sedimentary during sedimentation. Furthermore, occur- cover of Neogene reef limestone exploited in

http://rcin.org.pl 86 Maria Łanczont and Teresa Madeyska a large quarry. This cover consists of loess struction during limestone exploitation. Pal- deposits with fossil soils. Loess partially aeoenvironmental interpretation is based fills ragged karstified bedrock. The section on examination of fossil soils and molluscan is preserved only fragmentarily as a result assemblage composition (Boguckyj et al., of intensive slope processes in the Pleisto- 2009a; Boguckyj and Dmytruk, 2003). cene (evidenced by huge debris-solifluction A fossil soil of forest type (with features covers in deposit sequence) and recent de- of cambisol), occurring directly on weath-

Figure 2. Scheme of the fossil soils and cultural horizons chronology of the main West-Ukrainian loess sites: Y – Yezupil, H – Galich, VG – Velykyj Glybochok

MOIS – Marine Oxygen Isotope Stages, SO, S2, S3 – fossil soils, L1, L2, L3 – loess horizons, VG-III – Late Acheulian with Levalloisian technique, VG-IIIB, VG-III A and Y-III – Mousterian with Levalloisian technique, Y-II and H-IIm(?) – Micoquian, VG-II, Y-I – Upper Palaeolithic, H-IIg (?) – Gravettian, H-I – Epigravettian, VG-I – Final Palaeolithic

http://rcin.org.pl Environmental changes recorded in some important peri- and meta-Carpathian Palaeolithic sites… 87 ered limestone, its residuum or loess, is cor- facetting and absence of bifacial forms (Syt- related with the Korshiv soil (S2) described nyk et al., 2010). Cultural layer HV III of from other loess sections in Podil’ia (Fig. 2) similar nature occurs above, in solifluction and dated to the penultimate interglacial series covering the intraloess (i.e. L2) Terno- (MOIS 7, Fig. 3). The Middle Palaeolithic pil horizon of weakly developed initial cam- artefact assemblage (cultural layer HV III) bisol, which originated during a short period found in this soil is defined as initial Leval- favourable for open landscape vegetation. lois. It is characterized by medium rate of Molluscs living in open habitats prevail.

Figure 3. Chronology of the peri-/meta-Carpathian and the Carpathian Palaeolithic

Biśnik Cave 2002 – according to Cyrek ed. (2002); Biśnik Cave 2009 – according to Cyrek et al. (2009a,b); Obłazowa Cave – according to Valde-Nowak et al., eds. (2003), Slovakian travertine sites (Hôrka-Ondrej and others) – accord- ing to Káminska (1998, 2000), West Ukrainian loess sites – according to Boguckyj et al. (2001), Sytnyk and Boguckyj (1998), Sytnyk et al. (2009, 2010). Explanations: P – Piekary-type elements, AL – Acheulean with Levalloisian elements, MT – „Taubachien”, Mo – Mousterian, ML – Mousterian with Levalloisian technique, MD – denticular Mousterian, MCh – Charentian, Mi – Mi- coquian, LA- Late Acheulian with Levalloisian technique, UP – Upper Palaeolithic, Au – Aurignacian, Pv – Pavlovian, Sz – Szeletian, G – Gravettian, EG – Epigravettian

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A Levallois-Mousterian artefact assemblage clude that a mosaic of wet and dry habitats was found in the Gorohiv pedocomplex (S1) occurred in cold climate of this interstadial. (partially redeposited on slope and corre- Uniqueness of this site consists in the lated with the Eemian interglacial and Early fact that artefacts of the Levallois-Mous- Vistulian=Weichselian Glacial, i.e. MOIS 5) terian culture were found in situ, in clear and in the overlying solifluction series with stratigraphic position, i.e. in eluvial horizon limestone boulders. This soil was initially of the Eemian soil. Over the Gorohiv pe- bipartite luvisol evidencing forest vegetation docomplex, in a solifluction horizon (com- development. In redeposited remnants of posed of material from chernozem soil), the interstadial Dubno soil (MOIS 3), which a cultural layer with bifacial tools typical of are superimposed on the luvisol, not numer- Micoquian-Prądnik culture was found. Not ous Upper Palaeolithic artefacts (HV II) numerous and not typical Upper Palaeolithic with some Aurignacian features were found. flint artefacts were found in the Dubno soil. The occurrence of molluscs typical of open Galich (Halicz) site is characterized by habitats indicates cold and dry climatic con- occurrence of several geological sections ditions. The final Palaeolithic Świder-like representing a long part of the Pleistocene complex (HV I) was found in the bottom (at least from the Oka=San 2 Glacial to Vis- part of the Holocene soil (S0). tulian, i.e. MOIS 12 – MOIS 2). Sections oc- Yezupil (Jezupol) site is situated on curring in the protruding toward the Dnister a Pleistocene loess terrace of the Dnis- River part of this terrace, near the mouth ter River, near the mouth of its tributary, of the Lukva River, are exposed in an high Bystrycja River, and near Galich town. The valley-side and in excavation of the aban- site has been investigated since the 1990s doned brick-yard. The thickness of loess (Boguckyj et al., 2001; Madeyska ed., 2002). deposits reaches 50 m. The Palaeolithic site Lithological, geochemical, micromorpho- Galich I, occurring in the highest position, logical, palaeomagnetic, petromagnetic, has been studied since the 1990s. Several and palynological analyses were conducted cultural layers occur in the Upper Vistulian (Boguckyj et al., 2001; Komar, 2002; Komar loess (L1) both under and within initial gley et al., 2009). Alluvia of the Dnister River are soil (so-called Rivne horizon) together with covered by about 10 m thick loess containing mammoth bones (Wojtal, 2001). These set- the Eemian-Early Glacial Gorohiv pedoc- tlement phases represent the Epigravettian omplex: a well-developed interglacial soil of Culture or the East-European variety of luvisol type with superimposed chernozem the Gravettian Culture (Cyrek and Sytnyk, (MOIS 5). The overlying loess series (L1) 2002). Poor pollen spectrum contains mostly contains the Dubno interstadial soil from herb pollen and single pollen grains of pine the middle part of the Plenivistulian. and shrubs. Shadow-loving species prevail in In the light of pollen analyses, the Ee- malacofauna composition, but some meso- mian succession (boreal forest, mixed forest, philous and higrophilous ones were also pre- rich mixed forest) was followed by the Early sent (Alexandrowicz et al., 2002). Glacial thin boreal forest and open forest. Older cultural materials – mixed arte- Vegetation of open landscape with patches of facts of the Middle and Upper Palaeolithic trees developed during the Lower Plenivis- type – were discovered during geological tulian (MOIS 4). During the time of the investigations of other sections representing Dubno soil development, of cambisol type, older Vistulian loess deposits in the Galich II proportion of coniferous trees increased and site in 2002. Investigations carried out in the admixture of deciduous trees was small. Oc- following years indicated that these materials currence of sedge and moss vegetation indi- were redeposited because they occur in solif- cates wet habitat. The malacofauna in this luction deposits filling a small buried valley horizon contains forms typical of open dry (Galich II section). Only a small part does habitat. Based on these results we can con- occur in a more clear stratigraphic position,

http://rcin.org.pl Environmental changes recorded in some important peri- and meta-Carpathian Palaeolithic sites… 89 on partially eroded Eemian soil and in thin Artefacts were found in almost all geo- solifluction layers over the Early Vistulian logical layers. They do not form distinct soils (Galich IIa section). Based on collected cultural layers, but are scattered at differ- data, we suppose that these are two separate ent depths. Interpretation of cultural ma- assemblages: the Middle Palaeolithic with terial was changed because new data were Micoquian Culture features in the Gorochiv obtained with time. In 2002 K. Cyrek de- pedocomplex, and the Upper Palaeolithic scribed material from the Eemian intergla- with features of the Early Gravettian Culture cial and older deposits as late Acheulian (Bogucki et al., 2009 b; Sytnyk et al., 2009). with Levalloisian and Clactonian elements, However, considerable redeposition made similar to the Piekary-type material. Arte- it impossible for us to determine the exact facts dated to the Early Vistulian were de- stratigraphic position of both assemblages scribed as Taubachian, and younger ones and primary position of cultural layers, as were classified as Micoquian. The Upper well as to describe the environment. Palaeolithic materials found in sediments Biśnik Cave in Smoleń near Pilica has from the Younger Plenivistulian were called been investigated for 20 years by a team of „Jerzmanovician?”. In the later papers, specialists (archaeologists, geologists and K. Cyrek distinguished (Cyrek et al., 2009 palaeontologists) with Professor K. Cyrek at a, b) one Upper Palaeolithic cultural layer, its head. The results of the first ten years of 13 Middle Palaeolithic assemblages with 17 investigations are published in a monograph units of lower rank (horizons) related to the (Cyrek, 2002), and from the next years in Mousterian or Levalloisian-Mousterian and synthetic papers (Cyrek et al., 2009 a; Cyrek, Micoquian cultures/industries. Particular 2010; Cyrek and Sudoł, 2010). An over units were also characterized by techniques 5-m-thick section examined in the cave con- of flint working (Cyrek et al., 2009 b; Cyrek tains Quaternary deposits accumulated dur- and Sudoł, 2010): Levalloisian, flake, Mous- ing a long period of time: from the Odra Gla- terian, and blade techniques. In the older cial to the Holocene i.e. MOIS 8 – MOIS 1. part of deposits, up to the Eemian intergla- Deposits occurring near the cave bottom are cial inclusive, tools assigned to Mousterian probably of Pliocene age. Stratigraphy was and Micoquian techniques occurred togeth- determined based on lithology of deposits er in almost all geological horizons, and in and variability of faunal composition, mostly some horizons the existence of denticulate ecological preferences of identified verte- forms of tools was described. The problem brate species (Mirosław-Grabowska, 2002; of dating sediments older than MOIS 5e Cyrek et al., 2009 b; Socha, 2009; Stefaniak is not solved definitively till now. Materi- and Marciszak, 2009). Faunal composi- als from the older part of younger deposits tion in the Biśnik Cave is not very variable (corresponding to MOIS 5 d-a, and MOIS 4) throughout the section. Forest, steppe, and were described as Levalloisian-Mousterian, tundra species, besides euryoecious and and those from their younger part – as Mi- aquatic ones, were found in all layers. Quan- coquian (Fig. 3). titative proportions between the number of Obłazowa Cave is situated in the south- species (belonging to separate ecological -western part of Obłazowa Skała klippe, groups) and individuals changed from 10 to in the western part of the Pieniny Klippen 30% in separate layers. Based on these data, Belt. It has been investigated since 1985 by stratigraphic interpretation was possible to a team of specialists with P. Valde-Nowak make. However, new data will be obtained (archaeologist) and A. Nadachowski (zo- with time, and interpretation will be prob- ologist) at its heads. This small cave is the ably modified. The age of the bottom part of only multilayer site of the Upper and Mid- Quaternary sediments overlying the Pliocene dle Palaeolithic in the Carpathian Mts. The ones was not determined precisely because excavations were carried out very thorough- individual layers are thin and discontinuous. ly: all investigated deposits were washed

http://rcin.org.pl 90 Maria Łanczont and Teresa Madeyska through a sieve and very rich archaeological The younger series of deposits (layers and palaeontological material was obtained XI–VIII), containing Upper Palaeolithic (Valde-Nowak et al., eds., 2003). The sec- materials, is separated from the underlying tion is composed of alluvial gravels of the warm series by layer XII accumulated in pre-Białka River at the bottom, covered by cold climate of the Lower Plenivistulian, as loamy-debris deposits of a dry cave. The indicated by its lithology and predominance degree of debris weathering is less vari- of lemmings among rodents. The Szele- able compared to cave deposits of the Sile- tian leaf points’ complex was found in layer sian-Cracow Upland. Faunal composition XI. Unique assemblage of the Upper Pal- is also less variable. Tundra and cold steppe aeolithic Pavlov Culture (Early Gravettian), species prevail. However, two series of sedi- found in layer VIII on platform in the en- ments formed in warmer climate, separated trance to the cave, contains the following ar- by sediments of a cold phase, were distin- tefacts: an object in the shape of boomerang guished. Variability of deposits and fauna made of mammoth tusk, which was dated to composition (proportions between the num- 28–30 thousand years ago, objects made of ber of species and individuals connected arctic fox teeth and shells, and man finger with different biotopes), between particular bones. This assemblage is considered as the layers correlated with the Early Vistulian remains of Palaeolithic man sanctuary. – MOIS 5a-d (layers XIX–XIII) and Inter- Hôrka-Ondrej is one of several Palaeo- plenivistulian – MOIS 3 (layers XI–VIII) – lithic sites situated in travertine mounds in is so weak that it is impossible to distinguish the Slovak Spiš region (near the southern lower-rank climatostratigraphic units. Mam- slopes of the Tatra Mts). It was investigat- mals, birds and mollusks found in older se- ed in the last decade of the 20th century ries (Early Vistulian) are mostly forest spe- (Ford, 1995; Kaminská, 1998, 2000). Most cies and those which required at least single travertine sites contain traces of settle- trees growing in meadows, so they indicate ment from the Eemian interglacial (middle temperate climate. Admixture of species part of the Middle Palaeolithic), several connected with tundra and steppe environ- assemblages are older (early phase of the ment is also found and indicates temporary Middle Palaeolithic), and there are also climatic cooling. Species connected with wa- some from warmer phases of the penulti- ter environment (birds, fishes, amphibians) mate glacial (MOIS 6) and even from the are more numerous in the younger series penultimate interglacial (MOIS 7). Middle (Interplenivistulian). In the highest part of Palaeolithic artefacts from the beginning the section (Last Glacial Maximum – MOIS of the Vistulian were also found. Materials 2), devoid of archaeological material, debris typical of a younger phase of Levalloisian is weakly weathered. It is covered by several technique were found at Hôrka-Ondrej waste fans with mixed fauna of the Late Gla- and Vyšne Ružbachy sites, and those of cial and Holocene. Mousterian with Levalloisian technique In the older part of debris-loamy series at Beharovce-Sobotisko site. Gánovce site (layers XIX–XIII), six Mousterian horizons is the known place bearing artefacts from were discovered, the oldest of which directly the middle phase of the Middle Palaeo- overlies alluvial gravels. P. Valde-Nowak lithic. A cranium cast of the Neanderthal correlates them with different variants of man was found at this site. Assemblages the Mousterian culture. The assemblages of microlithic Taubachien were found at from layers XIX, XVII and XVI represent Hôrka-Ondrej and Gánovce-Hrádok sites. Taubachien. One cultural layer (XVb) is The youngest phase of the Middle Palaeo- connected with the so-called South-East lithic is represented by the Mousterian as- Charentian, and artefacts from layer XIII semblage of quartz and radiolarite objects represent a variant with denticulate tools of characterized by the Levalloisian technique the Mousterian culture. (Hôrka-Ondrej site).

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COMPARISON-CORRELATION sults available for the investigated sections are not presented. However, these results As it was presented above, each site provides were taken into consideration. much information concerning environment Chronostratigraphic extents of individu- and age of particular stages of the Palaeo- al cultural units from selected sites and their lithic settlement. However, each site presents correlation are presented in Fig. 3. Chronol- problems difficult to solve. Comparison of ogy is based on oxygen-isotope stratigraphy data gathered at different sites and chron- as an objective picture of climatic changes ostratigraphic interpretation permit us to with time. However, determination of arte- obtain a more complete picture of settle- facts’ age is not always reliable. The extents ment history. It is very important in the case are presented as continuous despite the of Palaeolithic sites, which are not numerous fact that cultural layers are mostly traces of compared to the sites dating from later ages. short-lasting settlement or hunters’ camps, Environmental reconstructions usually so they represent short episodes separated give a picture of co-occurrence of different by periods of natural sedimentation and also biotopes, different vegetation types, animals of deposit destruction. with different environmental preferences. By analogy with modern times, we can in- fer that vegetation in the examined areas in FINAL REMARKS the past, both in warm and cold periods, was also a mosaic of different communities de- Investigations of Palaeolithic sites in the pending on the substratum, soils and meso- Podil’ia and Prydnistrov’ia regions proved climatic (topoclimatic) conditions. However, that settlement existed from the penultimate information about the past obtained from interglacial to the end of the last glacial, i.e., the studied sections should be interpreted in the time correlated with MOIS 7 – MOIS taking into consideration the rate of climatic 2. Materials from the Biśnik cave represent changes occurring in younger Pleistocene similar period but there are premises that time. Analyses of oxygen stable isotope com- Middle Palaeolithic settlement started con- position, e.g., in ice cores drilled in Green- siderably earlier (Cyrek et al., 2009 a, b). land, point to rapid changes of temperature Chronology of deposits from this cave is not occurring in many intervals of the Pleisto- definitively explained, so we have to wait for cene, which were characterized by similar the results of further investigations. amplitude and frequency as those in the We present names of cultural units after Late Glacial. Therefore, as cave deposits ac- original archaeological publications. Ar- cumulated very slowly (several centimetres chaeological terminology is not established, per millennium), we obtain a picture of envi- and even such terms as culture, industry, ronment composed of overlapping data con- technique or assemblage are used in differ- cerning periods typified by different climate. ent meaning by different authors. In Fig. 3, Fossil soils in loess sites often represent the authors (earth scientists) marked related long periods of time (i.e., interglacials), they units with the same colours in an attempt to are effect of overlapping of different pedog- understand archaeological interpretation enetic processes and blurring of earlier ones, The purpose of this paper was to summa- generally due to temperature and moisture rize the actual state of research on natural changes. Fossil soils representing short peri- aspects of history of prehistoric settlement in ods of pedogenesis (i.e., interstadials) could the peri- and meta-Carpathian zones. This is be preserved only when aeolian or slope also one of the first steps in accomplishment deposition formed layers separating soils. of a project funded by the Ministry of Science Correlation presented in Fig. 3 is based and Education (691/N – Ukraina 2010/0) on interpretation of sequence of environ- “Palaeolithic oecumene of peri- and me- mental changes. Numerous TL dating re- ta-Carpathian zones – study of environmental

http://rcin.org.pl 92 Maria Łanczont and Teresa Madeyska changes in western Ukraine and south-eastern tems development], Akademia Świętokrzyska, Poland in the Pleistocene and their influence Jodłowy Dwór–Kielce, pp. 18–21. on prehistoric settlement and migration routes (Bogucki) Boguckyj, A., Dmitruk, D., Łanczont, (based on loess and cave sites)”. M., Madeyska, T. and Yacyszyn, A. (2007), Paleogeograficzne uwarunkowania współ- czesnych krajobrazów w dolinie środkowego REFERENCES Dniestru [The palaeogeographic base of con- temporary landscapes in the Middle Alexandrowicz, W.P., Boguckyj, A., Dmytruk, Valley], Prace Komisji Krajobrazu Kulturowe- R. and Łanczont, M. (2002), Malakofauna go PTG, 7, UŚ, Sosnowiec: 191–201. lessów Naddniestrza halickiego [Molluscs of (Bogucki) Boguckyj, A., Łanczont, M., Łącka, B., loess deposits in the Halyč Prydnistrov’ja re- Madeyska, T. and Sytnyk O. (2009a), Age and gion], in Madeyska, T. (ed.), Lessy i paleolit the palaeoenvironment of the West Ukrain- Naddniestrza halickiego (Ukraina) [Loess ian Palaeolithic: the case of Velykyi Glybo- and Palaeolithic of the Dniester River basin, chok multi-cultural site, Journal of Archaeo- Halič region (Ukraine)], Studia Geologica logical Science, 36: 1376–1389. Polonica, 119: 253–290. (Bogucki) Boguckij, A., Lanczont, M., Sytnyk, (Bogucki) Boguckyi, A. and Dmytruk, R. (2003), O. Madeyska, T., Kusiak, J., Fedorowicz, S., Reconstruction of paleontological and geograph- Dmytruk, R., Jacyszyn, A., Dumas, I. and ical conditions of creating of the loess and pal- Holub, B. (2009b), Paleolitychna stoyanka aeosol of the multi-layer paleolithic site Velykyi Halich II: problemy stratygrafii i khronologii Glybochok (on the basis of the molluscan fau- [Palaeolithic site Galich II: problems of na), in: Zbirnik naukovyi: The role of protected stratigraphy and chronology], in: Materialy areas of the Western Podillia and Jura of Ojców i doslidzennia z archeologii Prykarpatt’ia i Vol- in preservation of biological and landscape di- hyni,1, : 17–46. versity, Grimajliv-Ternopil’, Lileja, pp. 133–142 Cyrek, K. (2002), Jaskinia Biśnik. Rekonstrukcja [in Ukrainian with English summary]. zasiedlenia jaskini na tle zmian środowiska pr- Bogucki, A., Łanczont, M. and Wojtanowicz, J. zyrodniczego [Reconstruction of the Biśnik (1999), Problems of the Quaternary stratigraphy Cave settlement against a background of natu- and paleogeography in the San and Dniester ral environment changes], Wydawnictwo Uni- interfluve (Poland and Ukraine borderland), wersytetu Mikołaja Kopernika, Toruń: 231 pp. Quaternary Studies in Poland, 16: 3–14. Cyrek, K. (2010), The Biśnik Cave in Southern (Bogucki) Boguckyj, A., Cyrek, K., Konec- Poland: reconstruction of the Palaeolithic ka-Betley, K., Łanczont, M., Madeyska, T., cave habitation in relation to the environ- Nawrocki, J. and Sytnyk, O. (2001), Palaeo- mental changes, in Burdukiewicz, M. and lithic loess-site Yezupil on Dnister (Ukraine) Wiśniewski, A. (eds.), Middle Palaeolithic – stratigraphy, environment and cultures. Stu- Human Activity and Palaeoecology; New Dis- dia Quaternaria, 18: 25–46. coveries and Ideas, Wrocław: 69–94 (Bogucki ) Boguckyj, A., Łanczont, M. and Ya- Cyrek, K. and Sudoł, M. (2010), Zmiany w zasied- cyszyn, A. (2006), Główne paleogeograficzne leniu Jaskini Biśnik w plejstocenie [Changes etapy rozwoju doliny górnego i środkowego in the inhabitation of the Biśnik Cave during Dniestru [Main palaeogeographic stages the Pleistocene, Annales UMCS, section. B, of development of the Upper and Middle LXV, 2, Lublin: 57–68. Dniester Valley], in Zawada, K. (ed.) Kon- Cyrek, K. and Sytnyk, O. (2002), Paleolit Na- ferencja Międzynarodowa IV. Świętokrzyskie ddniestrza halickiego [Palaeolithic of Halič spotkania geologiczno-geomorfologiczne, Re- region], in Madeyska, T. (ed.), Lessy i paleolit gionalne aspekty funkcjonowania systemów Naddniestrza halickiego (Ukraina) [Loess and dolinnych [The International Conference: 4th Palaeolithic of the Dniester River basin, Halič Świętokrzyskie geological-geomorphological region (Ukraine)], Studia Geologica Poloni- meeting on regional aspects of the valley sys- ca, 119: 293–314.

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