Evidence of climatic variations in loess and cave Palaeolithic sites of southern Poland and western Ukraine

Abstract

Two main types of Palaeolithic sites in southern Poland and western Ukraine: caves or rock shelters and loess sites, offer different evidence concerning former climatic variations. The most characteristic cave deposits for cold climatic conditions are angular, cryoclastic limestone rubble and loess in cave entrances. In loess profiles, arctic conditions are clearly marked by the presence of ice wedge casts and soil wedges. In cold and humid conditions, solifluction and cryoturbation features characteristic of active layers and ground ice structures developed. During periods of warm and humid climatic conditions, cave loam and chemically weathered limestone rubble originated in caves. Intensive chemical weathering formed mineral crusts on surfaces of limestone particles. The most distinct indicators of temperate climate in loess profiles are fossil soils: forest or steppe ones, depending on humidity. Remnants of animals, especially those of stenothopic taxons, provide very important evidence of environmental and climatic fluctuations. The data from both types of sites complement each other. Precisely documented profiles of cave and loess sites cover the time span from the decline of penultimate glaciation to the end of Vistulian time. Older cultural layers corresponding to the penultimate interglacial were found recently.