Local landscape evolution related to human impact of an early medieval pre-urban center in the Upper Dnieper region (Central Russian Plain): an interdisciplinary experience

Subatlantic landscape changes were reconstructed by correlating independent results of pedological studies, pollen, phytolith, and micropaleontological analyses of flood plain soil-sedimentary and sedimentary sections in the Upper Dnieper region within an early medieval pre-urban center and in its close vicinities. Major phases of Subatlantic landscape evolution were defined as follows. A phase of low and dispersed human impact (approximately 3,000 BP–1,100 BP) is remarkable by widespread zonal forest ecosystems and periodic slight increases of cultivated plants and others favored by culture. The phase included a stage of active floodplain sedimentation changed by a drier period (not earlier than 2,400 BP) of no sedimentation and formation of Luvisols in the floodplain. The next phase of intensive local human impact occurred during early medieval settlement (1,100–1,000 BP) and is characterized by extensive deforestation, wide introduction of variable human-related plants and deep transformation of original soils within the settlement’s area: formation of Urbi-Anthropic Regosols. A phase of no local human impact but generally higher anthropogenic pressure in the region (later than 1,000 BP) started after a decline of the settlement. The number of settlements increased sharply in the region in the 11 – 13 centuries. This caused extensive anthropogenic deforestation and re-establishment of human impact indicators after a slight forest invasion and sharp but short drop in humanrelated plants. Floodplain sedimentation sharply increased. Garbi-Urbic materials of the settlement and Luvisols beyond the settlement’s borders were buried under floodplain alluvium about 1,000– 800 BP. At the end of this phase, formation of contemporary Fluvisols took place due to declining sedimentation rates (200–150 BP).