The subsistence strategy and paleoenvironment on the Stone Age site Podolye 1 in the southern Ladoga Lake region (Eastern Baltic)

Abstract

Subsistence practices was interpreted through a variety of archaeological materials on the Podolye 1 site located in the Southern Ladoga Lake basin. The interaction between climate fluctuation, human response and transgressions/regressions in the lake basin were determined in results of different analysis (archaeology, paleozoology, geochemistry, radiocarbon, pollen and diatom data as well as 3D paleolandscape modeling). Ancient people occupied the southern part of Lake Ladoga during 5 ka. BC - middle 3 ka. BC. Climate and environment of this area has contributed to this. Environment of the Podolye I site was characterized by vast wetlands and a spreading of broadleaved forest during the end of the Atlantic period in a shore zone of Lake Ladoga. The people were oriented on intensive fishing and hunting. In the beginning of the Subboreal period (3140-2600 cal BC) the climatic conditions changed and conifer forests with birch and alder dominated the vegetation at Lake. There was the transition to the Late Neolithic-Early Metal Age, which is characterized by the Asbestos, Porous and Netware pottery. After ca.2635-1960 cal BC, the water level of Lake Ladoga increased and transgression occurred. The site was covered by water and people abandoned this place.