Evaluation of geochemical proxies and radiocarbon data from a loess record of the Upper Palaeolithic site Kammern-Grubgraben, Lower Austria

• Published in: E&G Quaternary Science Journal
• Main Authors: L. Reiss, C. Stüwe, T. Einwögerer, M. Händel, A. Maier, S. Meng, K. Pasda, U. Simon, B. Zolitschka, C. Mayr
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: German; English
• Published: Copernicus Publications 2022
• Subjects: Geology; QE1-996.5; Greenland; Tundra
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.5194/egqsj-71-23-2022; https://doaj.org/article/3d9c02d67aa74ecf9f0f7de9dab9696d

Two loess sections from the Upper Palaeolithic site of Kammern-Grubgraben (Lower Austria) were analysed to test geochemical proxies, as well as radiocarbon data of different components, for their reliability and consistency in an archaeological context. Only a reliable basal age (28.9–27.8 ka cal BP) was obtained from charcoal fragments derived from a tundra gley underlying the archaeological horizons and assigned to Greenland Interstadials 3 or 4. Grain size, organic and inorganic geochemistry, and stable isotopes of the fine organic fraction ( δ 13 C org ) and of rhizoconcretions ( δ 13 C, δ 18 O) were analysed to provide information on palaeoenvironmental conditions. Low-resolution geochemical and sedimentological analyses document a humidity-related variability, while δ 13 C org values indicate predominant C 3 vegetation. High-resolution elemental variations derived from X-ray fluorescence scanning exhibit increasing Ca and decreasing Fe and Ti values, indicating drier conditions towards the top. Secondary pedogenic carbonate concretions provide post-sedimentary (Holocene) ages and are not suitable for assessing climate and environmental changes for the Palaeolithic.