Evolution of Waterways and Early Human Settlements in the Eastern Baltic Area: Radiocarbon-Based Chronology

• Published in: Radiocarbon
• Main Authors: Dolukhanov, P M, Shukurov, A M, Arslanov, Kh A, Subetto, D A, Zaitseva, G I, Djinoridze, E N, Kuznetsov, D D, Ludikova, A V, Sapelko, T V, Savelieva, L A
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 2007
• Subjects: karelian
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0033822200042442; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0033822200042442

Newly obtained radiocarbon measurements are used to suggest that the initial settlement of the northeastern Baltic area was largely controlled by the Ladoga-Baltic waterway in the north of the Karelian Isthmus, which emerged ∼11,500 cal BP and remained in action for ∼7000 yr. The transgression of Ladoga Lake started ∼5000 cal BP and reached its maximum at ∼3000 cal BP (∼1100–1000 cal BC). The formation of a new outlet via the Neva River led to a rapid regression of the lake that stimulated the spread of farming populations.