Multi-proxy study of Holocene environmental change and human activity in the Central Apennine Mountains, Italy
A. G. Brown|Jackie Hatton|Katherine Selby|Melanie J. Leng|Neil Christie
Abstract This paper describes a multi‐proxy palaeoecological investigation undertaken in conjunction with an archaeological survey of the Upper Sangro Valley Abruzzo National Park, Central Italy. Despite being biodiversity hotspot and regarded as near‐pristine area, pollen, spore diatom data all show major changes vegetation extending to over 2000 m a.s.l. during mid late Holocene. Although there are ecological composition earlier Holocene they different type magnitude from which began about 800 cal BC. The pollen evidence do not correlate well regional palaeoclimate data, or on‐site isotopic evidence, but appear be related Samnite (later Iron Age) clearance upland grazing associated transhumance later annexation (and centuriation ) lower slopes by Roman surveyors. greatest change was period c . AD 500–600 corresponds Byzantine–Gothic Wars, Lombard–Carolingian settlement reorganization into nucleated hilltop settlements managed grazing. pattern intensive land use at altitudes persisted until early 20th century only changed following rural depopulation after World War II. These illustrate how cultural factors had profound effect on this mountainous region which, case, far outweighed effects climatic fluctuations known have occurred both study area region. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.
Journal of Quaternary Science