Bronze Age “pristinity”, Iron Age anthropization and Medieval intensification of human impact around Lake Montcortès (southern-central Pyrenees): a possible mid-elevation pattern and its significance for the definition of the Anthropocene
Valentı́ Rull|Teresa Vegas‐Vilarrúbia|Juan Pablo Corella|Blas L. Valero‐Garcés
Abstract The varved sediments of Lake Montcortès (central Pyrenees) have provided a continuous and well-dated high-resolution record the last ca. 3000 years. Previous chronological sedimentological studies this furnished detailed paleoenvironmental reconstructions. However, palynological are only available for millennium, vegetation landscape around lake had already been transformed by humans time. Therefore, primeval history its anthropogenic transformations remains unknown. This paper presents analysis interval between Late Bronze Age (ca. 1100 BCE) Early Medieval period (820 CE), aimed at recording preanthropic conditions, anthropization onset further transformations. During BCE to 770 BCE), did not show any evidence human impact. decisive transformation catchment started beginning Iron (770 continued during Roman times in form recurrent burning, grazing, cultivation, silviculture, hemp retting other activities. Some intervals lower pressure were recorded, but original never returned. that took place cause relevant changes sediment yield lake, significant limnological shift occurred, as manifested initiation varve formation, process has until today. Climatic shifts seem played secondary role influencing from onwards. These results contrast with previous inferences low impact Period, regional level Pyrenees). intensification (580 CE onwards) also observed Montcortès, overall watershed commenced couple millennia before, Age. It could be interesting verify whether same pattern – i.e., “pristinity”, may mid-elevation Pyrenean landscapes below tree line. complicates definition “Anthropocene”, it adds new dimension, elevational diachronism, mountain ranges, general.
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