Description: Publication date: Available online 29 December 2017 Source: Quaternary International Author(s): Hideaki Goto The Median Tectonic Line active fault zone (MTLAFZ) extends for about 190 km through Shikoku, southwest Japan. Though the MTLAFZ is the most significant onshore active tectonic feature in southwest Japan, its late Quaternary slip rate has been estimated at only a few locations with reasonable references and ages. Better information on this feature's recent slip rates is critical to understanding the ongoing tectonic processes in the region and evaluating the seismic risk of this fault zone. In this paper, new estimates of the late Quaternary slip rate are reported from the Ikeda and Chichio faults in the central portion of the MTLAFZ. The author mapped late Pleistocene fluvial terrace surfaces and used tephrochronology and radiocarbon dating to constrain the age, and measured offset of terrace risers. The slip vectors of both faults are similar, as derived from piercing points on the bottoms of the terrace risers. The vertical component of displacement is 2–6% of the horizontal component. Long-term slip rates during the late Quaternary were calculated at 7.8–9.1 mm/yr, which is more precise than those in the previous studies and represents the highest slip rate in the MTLAFZ. This rate is also much faster than previously reported shorter-term slip rates of geodetic study. The long-term seismic risk of large earthquakes (>M8) along the Ikeda and Chichio faults in the next 30 years are evaluated to be more than 0.4–1.9% and 0.1–3%, respectively, much higher than a previous estimate of 0–0.3%.

Description: Publication date: Available online 28 December 2017 Source: Quaternary International Author(s): Antonin Tomasso, Célia Fat Cheung, Sophie Fornage-Bontemps, Mathieu Langlais, Nicolas Naudinot This paper builds on recent research on the abrupt cooling event known as GS1 (Younger Dryas) from ca. 12.9 to 11.7 ka cal. BP. These studies have indicated the diversity of local responses to this period between different regions across Europe. Research has indicated both responses and lack of responses of humans to this event in different regions. In accordance with this research, this paper argues that it is necessary to move away from global models of human responses to the analysis of regional scales. We argue that it is necessary to consider the evolutionary dynamics that predated the GS1 cooling event before identifying its potential impact. This paper focuses on this aspect of the problem by considering evidence from three mountainous areas: the Pyrenees, the northern French Alps and Jura, and lastly southern and Apuan Alps. Recently studied sites are considered with specific attention to lithic industries. Our analysis focuses on (1) the identifiable changes in each industry and (2) the relationship with pre-existing cultural and technological dynamics. The analysis has produced two main results. First, there was a tendency towards a decrease in the standardization of blanks, especially in blades, which was common to the different areas. This change, however, predated GS1 and can therefore not be associated with cooling at the start of GS1. Second, the Northern Alps and Jura, in contrast to the two other areas, seems to reveal a break from the lithic technological traditions that occurred around 12.9 ka cal BP or the early stages of GS1. These results enable a discussion of the different mechanisms that can explain differential regional responses to GS1.

Description: Publication date: Available online 28 December 2017 Source: Quaternary International Author(s): Marie L. Thomas, Sophie Warny, David M. Jarzen, Samuel J. Bentley, André W. Droxler, Brandon B. Harper, Charles A. Nittrouer, Kehui Xu Three sediment cores (MV-41, MV-46, and MD-50) from the Gulf of Papua (GoP), Papua New Guinea, were analyzed to assess changes in climatic, oceanographic, and sedimentological conditions over the last 14.5 kyr. Palynomorphs, which were isolated from sediment core samples, were collected at approximately 0.5-m intervals using a strong acid and oxidant (MD-50)/non-oxidant (MV-41, MV-46) procedure. Radiocarbon ( 14 C) stable isotope geochronology, magnetic susceptibility, stable isotope analysis (MD-50 only; Oxygen-18 [ 18 O] and Carbon-13 [ 13 C]), and clay mineral maturity analysis were also completed for each core. Palynological data indicate that climatic conditions at sea level have remained warm, wet, and stable for the past 14.5 kyr with sea surface temperatures in the GoP above 14 °C. Potential decreases in vegetative cover marked the Younger Dryas interval (12.5–11.5 kyr BP), as indicated by reduced pollen and spore recovery. The end of the latest marine transgression (and the subsequent return to eustatic sea level highstand) is clearly delineated by increases in marine palynomorph recovery and decreases in mangrove pollen at approximately 5 kyr BP. An increase in seasonality and potential El Niño Southern Oscillation variability is observed in MD-50's oxygen isotope results at ∼5 kyr BP. This is not supported by the palynomorph record, likely because of the sampling interval and dilution by tropical pollen flora, which indicates stable climatic conditions throughout the last 14.5 kyr. Sediment transport pathways in the GoP remained fairly constant throughout the time interval, which is supported by the lack of major changes in palynomorph assemblage composition.

Description: Publication date: Available online 28 December 2017 Source: Quaternary International Author(s): Francesca Romagnoli, Bruno Gómez de Soler, Amelia Bargalló, M. Gema Chacón, Manuel Vaquero Ramification is the term used to classify branched productive sequences in which a functional item (the flake) was exploited as a productive item (the core). This technological behaviour was present in Europe and the Levant beginning in the Lower and Early Middle Palaeolithic, but ramified productions were intensely developed in the Late Middle Palaeolithic. Traditionally, ramification has been interpreted as a well-structured behaviour, implying its integration into the provisioning strategies of past humans. This viewpoint has significant implications for the understanding of technological evolution in Neanderthals, suggesting specific cognitive and socio-economic capacities. Ramified procedures were characterised by high flexibility due to the versatile patterns of the core-on-flake and are described in the literature as corresponding to several different knapping concepts and technical procedures. This research aimed to describe the role of ramification in the Late Middle Palaeolithic. We analysed two assemblages from the Abric Romaní site (located in the north-east part of the Iberian Peninsula) characterised by informal, expedient technologies. The focus was on the spatial and temporal fragmentation of the ramified sequences based on the identification of single technical events. The reduction of the scale of analysis and the resulting implementation of temporal resolution of the stone tool assemblages in such expedient contexts allowed us to understand ramification from an innovative perspective, setting aside our bias toward well-defined productive methods associated with preconceived economic and mobility patterns. The results showed that ramification reflected a range of behaviours, implying a variety of planning proficiency, economic strategies and social interactions. This means that ‘ramified production’ is not meaningful unless is linked with a detailed description of human choices and an understanding of temporal and spatial relationships between knapping events. Furthermore, the results showed that, to approach behavioural issues, we as researchers must change our unitary vision of assemblages and enlarge the scope of categories to which we apply that vision.

Description: Publication date: Available online 27 December 2017 Source: Quaternary International Author(s): Huw S. Groucutt, Eleanor M.L. Scerri, Chris Stringer, Michael D. Petraglia The Levantine sites of Skhul and Qafzeh have been interpreted as indicating an early, short and unsuccessful expansion of Homo sapiens out of Africa. Chronometric age estimates, however, indicate a history of prolonged occupation, and suggest that Skhul (∼130–100 thousand years ago [ka]) may have been occupied earlier than Qafzeh ( beginning ∼110–90 ka). Morphologically, the Skhul individuals can be described as somewhat more primitive in comparison to the Qafzeh fossils. Though the lithic assemblages of sites such as Skhul and Qafzeh are often described as being technologically similar, as part of the ‘Tabun C’ phase/industry, limited detailed information on the Skhul lithic assemblage has been published, and little comparative work has been conducted. Here, we present an analysis of the Skhul stone tool assemblage to describe its characteristics, to evaluate the lithic results against the fossil and chronological data, and for inter-site regional comparison. Our findings indicate that the Skhul lithic assemblage differs from other Levantine Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 5 sites, such as Qafzeh. For example, there was more of an emphasis on diverse methods of point production at Skhul, and the available samples indicate a greater emphasis on preferential rather than recurrent Levallois reduction at Skhul. The current findings suggest that neither the Levantine Middle Palaeolithic in general, nor MIS 5 assemblages in particular, were technologically homogeneous. These data are consistent with either a long occupation of the Levant by Homo sapiens in MIS 5, or at least two phases of occupation (early MIS 5 and mid to late MIS). Whatever the fate of the Skhul and Qafzeh population(s), their occupation of the Levant was neither short nor culturally uniform. Our findings add to the growing pool of evidence that the dispersal of our species ‘Out of Africa’ was more complex than hitherto thought. Further work on MIS 5e contexts in the Levant and elsewhere in Southwest Asia should be a research priority.

Description: Publication date: Available online 27 December 2017 Source: Quaternary International Author(s): Richard J. Payne, Joanne Egan Large volcanic eruptions may have major impacts on ecosystems through their physical, chemical and climatic affects. These impacts are stochastic and because the largest, most damaging volcanic events have not occurred in the recent past there is considerable interest in past eruptions as an analogue for possible future events. Palaeoecology is an essential tool to understand the environmental consequences of eruptions in the past. Here we review the processes by which volcanic eruptions affect ecosystems, how palaeoecological research can enhance our knowledge of palaeo-volcanic impacts and some of the challenges which such studies face. We focus particularly on tephropalaeoecological studies which address changes in the abundance of microfossils (e.g. pollen, diatoms, testate amoebae) across tephra layers preserved in sediments. In our discussion we stress the importance of impacts from volcanic tephra, volatiles and volcanically-induced climate change, which are likely to be the most spatially extensive impact mechanisms. We highlight the importance of considering the taphonomy of tephra and microfossils when attempting to identify volcanic impacts. We discuss the extent to which it is, and is not, possible to distinguish volcanic impacts from non-volcanic processes and random variability. The focus of this special issue is the Mediterranean and we conclude by discussing the particular issues which may apply in this region, including the availability of suitable archives and preservation conditions.

Description: Publication date: Available online 26 December 2017 Source: Quaternary International Author(s): Zsolt Kasztovszky, Károly Lázár, Viktória Kovács Kis, Adél Len, János Füzi, András Markó, Katalin T. Biró Carpathian obsidians can have various macroscopic features. They are typically black or grey and their transparency ranges from clear to opaque. The Tolcsva source, very rarely, can yield brown or red (‘mahogany’ type) obsidian. Archaeological, as well as geological pieces of mahogany obsidian were previously identified and characterised using Prompt Gamma Activation Analysis (PGAA). In 2007, the exact location of the red variant's outcrop was identified on the Szokolya hill (Tolcsva). The aim of this study was to better understand the possible reasons for the colouring of red obsidian. A novel approach was applied, using multiple methods for the analysis of the samples. For comparison, other Carpathian type, namely black obsidian from Tolcsva, and red obsidian from Bogazköy (Anatolia) were also studied. Besides the PGAA measurements of the bulk elemental composition, Mössbauer spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to study the samples in order to identify the presence of ferrous or ferric iron. With the help of Small Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS), the bulk nanostructures of the samples have been investigated and their surface or volume fractal dimensions have been determined. Black obsidians showed isotropy, while mahogany samples displayed a considerable anisotropy in the bulk pore orientation. According to our results, a large amount of the iron is dominantly located in different phases in the case of mahogany and black obsidians. Based on the summarised results, the differences between the red and black variants can be also explained by the different oxidation states of the Fe-ions, which may explain the colour difference.

Description: Publication date: Available online 26 December 2017 Source: Quaternary International Author(s): Mirosława Kupryjanowicz, Magdalena Fiłoc, Daniela Czerniawska Nowadays Najas flexilis is believed to be extinct in Poland, Germany, and Switzerland, while in other European countries it is classified as endangered or vulnerable. During the Early and Middle Holocene the species occurred throughout much of Europe, but in the Late Holocene it underwent a significant decline and reduction in range following, as it is believed, the gradual cooling of the climate and/or the eutrophication and acidification of lakes caused by human activity. The article recognizes the existence and disappearance of slender naiad in the palaeolake at the Hieronimowo site, NE Poland, during the Eemian Interglacial and at the beginning of the last glaciation (Vistulian, Weichselian), when lake transformations were caused solely by natural factors without human impact. Results of palynological and macrofossil analyses reveal that the appearance of slander naiad in the studied water body was probably triggered by the change of its pH and trophic status, resulting from the start of spruce and pine expansion stimulated by climate worsening during the younger part of the hornbeam phase (E5 R PAZ) in the middle Eemian. The appearance of spruce and pine in the area of the lake led to its acidification and oligotrophication, and that caused the strong and rapid development of N. flexilis . The species existed in the palaeolake at the Hieronimowo site through the spruce (E6 R PAZ) and pine (E7 R PAZ) phases, until the end of the Eemian Interglacial. These observations suggest that regressive transformations of the environment typical for the late part of the interglacial cycle, ‘unsupported’ by human activity, do not lead the extinction of N. flexilis . Quite the opposite, these processes promote this species. Its disappearance started only at the beginning of the Early Vistulian (Weichselian), and it was probably caused by a drastic decrease in temperatures and/or by the development of green algae, which limited light availability on the bottom of the water body.

Description: Publication date: Available online 26 December 2017 Source: Quaternary International Author(s): Janina Bösken, Igor Obreht, Christian Zeeden, Nicole Klasen, Ulrich Hambach, Pál Sümegi, Frank Lehmkuhl The Bodrogkeresztúr loess-paleosol sequence in northeastern Hungary was investigated to improve our understanding of the paleoenvironmental conditions at the foothills of the Carpathians and their impact on the Gravettian population. The main part of the section is comprised of eolian deposits that enable the reconstruction of the paleoenvironmental conditions. This study comprises grain size, geochemical, color and rock magnetic analysis, as well as luminescence and radiocarbon dating. The chronological data place this section from later MIS 3 until present, but also suggest erosion of the sediment in the late MIS 2 and the (early) Holocene. Moreover, generally more humid conditions during late MIS3 and early MIS2 are observed, in comparison to other regions in the Carpathian Basin. Main dust source was most likely the Tisza floodplain, and the material was probably transported to the site from a northeastern wind direction. Increased weathering led to the formation of a well-developed MIS3 paleosol. The loess exhibits elevated values of frequency dependent magnetic susceptibility that highlight the relatively mild conditions during loess formation. Nevertheless, two loess layers with high sand abundance in the profile indicate colder and dryer conditions with increased eolian dynamics during short periods within MIS2. Finally, the Bodrogkeresztúr section highlights the unique microclimatic conditions at the foothill areas of the Carpathian Basin, which may have offered a favorable environment for the Gravettian population.

Description: Publication date: Available online 26 December 2017 Source: Quaternary International Author(s): Erik Hrnčiarik In this Article, I am going to deal with the finds of bone and antler industry in the Germanic-Quadi environment of southwestern Slovakia. They include jewellery, combs, toilet items, items used for textile and leather working, knife handles, parts of board games and semi-finished products. They have been found on both cemeteries and settlements. Germanic tribes worked bones and antler using almost the same techniques as the Romans. These included mostly coarse cutting, soaking and moulding the material into shapes by lathing, sawing, drilling, grinding, polishing, smoothing, riveting, chiseling and so on. Comparing the structure of the studied items with those from the territory of Bohemia, which was settled by the Germanic tribes of the Marcomanni, we notice certain differences. As for jewellery, we have a greater variety of forms bone hairpins. They include also various kinds of amulets, a larger number of drilled animal teeth and bone pearls. In the Marcomannic space we find a larger number of bone gaming pieces, rod dice, fishing tools, various catheters, and a wide range of single-sided and double-sided combs. When we compare the structure of bone and antler products with the finds from the Roman Empire (particularly Pannonia), we can see also clear differences. There is a wider typological range of hairpins; there have been found various parts of furniture, weaving items (spindle whorls, weaving tablets, etc.), gaming pieces, parts of military equipment, various kinds of amulets, writing tools, whistles, and so on.