Human-environmental interactions and seismic activity in a Late Bronze to Early Iron Age settlement center in the southeastern Caucasus

Long-term human-environmental interactions in naturally fragile drylands are a focus of geomorphological and geoarchaeological research. Furthermore, many dryland societies were also affected by seismic activity. The semi-arid Shiraki Plain the tectonically active southeastern Caucasus is currently covered steppe largely devoid settlements. However, numerous Late Bronze to Early Iron Age city-type settlements suggest early state formation between ca. 3.2-2.5 ka that abruptly ended after time. A paleolake was postulated for lowest plain, nearby pollen records forest clearcutting upper altitudes under more humid climate during Bronze/Early Ages. an impact earthquakes on regional suggested. paleoenvironmental changes paleoseismicity not systematically studied so far. We combined geomorphological, sedimentological, chronological paleoecological data with hydrological modelling reconstruct Holocene changes, identify natural human causes study possible events Our results show balanced negative Mid-Holocene water balance probably caused forested slopes. Hence, no lake but pellic Vertisol developed plain. Following, clear-cutting deposition lacustrine sediments derived from soil erosion. Subsequently, aridification slow desiccation. Remains freshwater fishes indicate potentially offered valuable ecosystem services prehistoric even desiccation period. Finally, colluvial coverage last centuries could have been linked extremes Little Ice Age. demonstrates situated near major threshold, making landscape very sensitive small-scale or influences severe consequences local societies. seismites do influence main late phases settlement. Altogether, our underlines high value multi-disciplinary approaches investigate millennial centennial time scales.