Interdisciplinary interpretation of challenging archives: Charcoal assemblages in Drina Valley alluvial and colluvial sediments (Jagnilo, Bosnia and Herzegovina)

Abstract

In connection to an archaeological project in Bosnia and Herzegovina, charcoal fragments from several geomorphological profiles were analysed, due to the lack of other archives for palaeoenvironmental reconstruction. The major aim of the presented study was to systematically test the suitability of the documented colluvial and alluvial layers for charcoal analysis. The profiles uncover main phases of sedimentation of Drina Valley Holocene alluvial sedimentation and for the first time provide anthracological data from the area, giving initial insight into the vegetation of the catchment areas and into dynamics of the Drina. For the late Holocene, the presence of several genera in the catchment areas of the investigated profiles was documented. The most important genera are Quercus and Ostrya/Carpinus type, Fagus, Acer and Pinus are also present. Light-demanding genera such as Corylus and the Maloideae group indicate human activities. Alluvial elements such as Ulmus, Fraxinus and Alnus are present. A major advantage of this investigation is the distinction of catchment areas for alluvial and colluvial layers by the means of charcoal analysis. This interdisciplinary cooperation of botanists, geoscientists and archaeologists yields new information about a rarely investigated region of southeastern Europe, and thus improves understanding of natural processes and human impact.