The Upper Kama and its tributaries in the Late Pleistocene and Holocene: reconstruction of the environment and human occupation

• Main Authors: Копытов, Сергей Владимирович, Чернов, Алексей Владимирович, Демаков, Денис Александрович, Лычагина, Евгения Леонидовна, Зарецкая, Наталья Евгеньевна
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: Russian
• Published: Для почтовых отправлений: 199155 Санкт-Петербург, а/я 136, Редакция журнала «Гидросфера. Опасные процессы и явления» / For mail: 199155 St. Petersburg, PO Box 136 Editorial Board of the «Hydrosphere. Hazardous processes and phenomena». 2024
• Subjects: Late Pleistocene; Holocene; paleochannel analysis; human residential preferences; floodplain; terrace; поздний плейстоцен; голоцен; палеорусловой анализ; селитебные предпочтения; пойма; надпойменная терраса; Kama; taiga
• Online Access: https://hydro-sphere.ru/index.php/hydrosphere/article/view/201

The article presents the results of a study on floodplain and terrace deposits in the rivers of the upper Kama basin, focusing on the upper Kama valley, as well as its large tributary, the Kosa. Based on paleochannel analysis and archaeological research, the features of the location of monuments of different ages in the river valley were revealed. The research highlights the adaptation of ancient human populations to the natural environment in the northern region of the Upper Kama during the late Pleistocene and Holocene periods. The article suggests that changes in river flow and meandering intensity most likely influenced the selection pf settlement sites by ancient people. To create a chronological basis for the work area, the radiocarbon dating method was used. Based on the methods of paleochannel studies in the valley of the upper Kama, it was possible to identify 7 generations of the floodplain of different ages; an attempt was made to reconstruct the specific positions of the ancient Kama channel in each period of the formation of these different generations of. It was established that during the Late Glacial period, the study area was not inhabited by ancient humans due to unfavorable natural conditions. Its initial settlement in the area occurred at the beginning of the Holocene after the formation of the second floodplain terrace. During this time, the area underwent favorable transformations, becoming suitable for human habitaion and covered with taiga pine and birch formations, often including spruce. Mesolithic sites date back to this period. They were situated on either the second terrace or the original riverbanks. In the Middle Holocene, the 6th and 5th floodplain generations were formed, the rivers of the basin were characterized by high water content. Neolithic sites on terraces date back to this period. The period of existence of settlements of the Garin Eneolithic culture dates back to the end of the Middle Holocene. They were located either on the 4th–5th generations of the floodplain or on ...