Dniester Valley Research Articles

Interplay of climate-human-vegetation on the north-eastern edge of the Carpathians (Western Ukraine) between 7500 and 3500 calibrated years BP

The area of Ukrainian Carpathians is still poorly investigated in the context of vegetation history and human activity during the Holocene. The present study was carried out on deposits collected from the former oxbow lake. The study aimed to examine (1) whether various tendencies for occupation of valley terraces by different Neolithic and Early Bronze cultures led to a discrepant records of human impact in palaeo-proxies and (2) whether forest vegetation in the Dniester River valley (Carpathian foreland, Western Ukraine) reacted to global climatic events during the period 7500 to 3500 calibrated years BP (cal BP). We reconstructed vegetation changes with special attention being paid to human and climate impact, applying palaeobotanical and faecal bacteria ancient DNA (aDNA) analyses combined with radiocarbon dating. The results revealed that aDNA and palaeobotanical proxies recorded human impacts of differing intensities in the deposits analyzed. The Linear Pottery culture (Early Neolithic) occupied lower terraces close to the lake and so high concentrations of aDNA were detected, although with the irregular presence of the pollen of cultivated plants. Subsequently, the Malicka culture (Lengyel-Polgar cycle) still inhabited lower terraces of the valley, although its representatives probably exploited higher terraces (fluctuations of aDNA, still with an irregular record of cultivated plants). Humans of the Funnel Beaker culture preferred the highest terrace levels and watersheds (more scattered aDNA distribution) and they extensively used fire for deforestation (an increase in the accumulation of microcharcoal); however, their activity only had a slight effect on the woodlands on the lowest terraces of the valley. During occupation by Late Neolithic and Early Bronze cultures, the pasturelands on the lowest terraces were probably (at least partly) transformed into mown meadows (spread of Plantago lanceolata). The advance of Picea abies in the Dniester valley approximately 6110–5240 cal BP and an increase in the water table dated at approximately 3975–3900 cal BP in the mire occurred during the global cold period at 6500-5900 cal BP and ‘4.2 ka’ cooling event.

Zooarchaeology of the layers from Dorochivtsy III (Ukraine)

Palaeolithic archaeological sites of the Western Ukraine are clustered along the Prut and Dniester Rivers. Different sites provided data enabling reconstruction of the paleoenvironment, chronology and cultures of human group during the Upper Paleolithic (notably Molodova V). During the second part of the Pleniglacial, between 23 000 and 20 000 years BP, palaeoclimatic variations took place. The intensification of cold and arid conditions is liable to force human groups to adapt to a changing environment. Little is known about this period, with only a few assemblages. Ongoing excavations continue to provide new data. The archaeological site of Dorochivtsy III has an important sequence stratigraphy with several archaeological layers. Among the seven Upper Palaeolithic layers, layers 6, 5, 4 and 3 testify to activities of a human group during the Upper Pleniglacial. We studied the faunal assemblages applying zooarchaeological methods, identifying mammoth (Mammuthus primigenius), reindeer (Rangifer tarandus), horse (Equus sp.) and fox (Alopex lagopus/Vulpes vulpes). The Gravettian layers 3, 4, 5 have anthropogenic clues in connection with subsistence activities oriented on reindeer, then horses, and finally fox. Concerning mammoths, we cannot define the modes of acquisition and use. These occupations have been interpreted as recurrent hunting occupations linked to procurement of local flint and lithic production for butchering activities. Layer 6 dated to 22 330 ± 100 BP is remarkable because of previously unseen practises. The lithic assemblage combined with bone industry and engraved tusk is a novel set of cultural elements in this area, called ancient Epigravettian. This layer testifies to the diversity of human activities during the Upper Pleniglacial and to the particular status of mammoth ivory as an artistic medium. Palynological data and taphonomic observations on bones indicate the persistence of relatively moist conditions during some periods, which could favour the movement of human groups. Although little is known about the Upper Pleniglacial period, Dorochivtsy III testifies to the continuity of a large exploitation of the territory of the Dniester valley.

Early Pliocene Sturgeons and Bony Fishes from the Dniester Valley (Republic of Moldova) / Осетровые и костистые рыбы раннего плиоцена из долины Днестра (Республика Молдова)

Abstract A fossil fish remnants from the Early Pliocene strata of the Dniester valley (Republic of Moldova) are described in the paper. Seven species, belonging to 6 genera, 4 families and 4 orders (Acipenseriformes, Cypriniformes, Siluriformes, Esociformes) were identified in Nikolskoe and Uyutnoe localities. All of them are analogues of extant taxa. A brief review of development of the freshwater fish fauna in the Lower Dniester Basin during the Early Pliocene is presented.

Medieval accumulation in the Upper Dniester river valley: The role of human impact and climate change in the Carpathian Foreland

Research in the valleys of Upper Dniester, Strvjaž and Stryj Rivers, in the Eastern Carpathian Foreland, documents the occurrence of 3–4 Holocene floodplain terraces and several alluvial fills dating back to the Late Vistulian and the Atlantic, as well as the periods 3500–3000 BP (1850–1250 cal. BC), 2200–1700 BP (360 cal. BC–390 cal. AD), 5th–6th, 10th–12th and 14th–16th centuries AD. Flood phases distinguished in the Upper Dniester drainage basin correlate well with previously established phases of enhanced fluvial activity in the valleys of Upper Vistula, the Wisłoka and the San in the Western Carpathian Foreland. An episode of tree fall during the 5th–6th century floods is the most conspicuous and is linked to the beginning of a wet climate phase (1500–1350 cal. BP). Subsequent phases of greater fluvial activity, from the 10th to the 12th and from the 14th to the 16th centuries, record increasing human activity, as well as correlation with wet and cool climate phases (the first half of the 11th century and the beginning of the Little Ice Age). Fluvial accumulation processes along the longitudinal profile of the Upper Dniester Valley were affected not only by human activity and more humid climate phases, but also by diverse neotectonic movements.

Mammoths used as food and building resources by Neanderthals: Zooarchaeological study applied to layer 4, Molodova I (Ukraine)

Considering Neanderthal subsistence, the use of mammoth resources has been particularly discussed. Apart from procurement for food, the use of mammoth bones as building material has been proposed. The hypothesis was based on the discovery made in Molodova I, Ukraine (Dniester valley). In this large multistratified open-air site, a rich Mousterian layer was excavated. Dated to the Inter-Pleniglacial (MIS 3), it has yielded 40 000 lithic remains associated with ca. 3000 mammal bones, mostly from mammoth. Several areas have been excavated: a pit filled with bones, different areas of activities (butchering, tool production), twenty-five hearths and a circular accumulation made of mammoth bones, described as a dwelling structure set up by Neanderthals. Attested dwelling structures made of mammoth bones are known in Upper Paleolithic sites, from Ukraine and Russia, attributed to the Epigravettian tradition.This paper presents a zooarchaeological study of large mammal remains from Molodova I layer 4, to understand the modalities of acquisition and utilization of mammoth resources for food and technical purposes, especially to test the hypothesis of using bones as building elements. The number of mammoths is estimated to at least fifteen individuals of all age classes and both sexes, which died during several episodes, near or on the site.The taphonomic modifications due to weathering, water percolation and plant roots indicate the location of bones in holes, such as the pit and the basement of the circular accumulation. Secondary actions of carnivores, especially of hyaenid type, are rare on bones, showing that the assemblage was not accumulated by these predators. The anatomical preservation, the age and sex features and the taphonomic data indicate several modalities of mammoth acquisition by hunting, scavenging and collecting.Based on anthropogenic marks, mammoth meat has been eaten. The presence of series of striations and ochre on mammoth bones are associated with a technical or symbolic use. Furthermore, mammoth bones have been deliberately selected (long and flat bones, tusks, connected vertebrae) and circularly arranged. This mammoth bone structure could be described as the basement of a wooden cover or as a wind-screen. The inner presence of fifteen hearths, lithic artifacts and waste of mammal butchery and cooking is characteristic of a domestic area, which was probably the centre of a residential camp recurrently settled. It appears that Neanderthals were the oldest known humans who used mammoth bones to build a dwelling structure.

State of environment in the Dniester river basin (West Ukraine).

This contribution presents the results of the hydroand lithochemical investigations on the Dniester river basin (Ukraine) performed during the period of 1995-2001. The main goal of this study was the estimation of the current state of surface and subsurface water quality in the Dniester valley as well as the definition of the intensity, the localisation and the distribution scale of the anthropogenic influences.

Protection of the Fauna and Flora of Poland

IF one may judge by the size and quality of Ochrona Przyrody for 1931, the publication of the National Council for the Protection of Nature in Poland, a very vital interest is taken there in the preservation of natural amenities. The articles contain proposals for the formation of reserves for the primitive flora of the Dniester valley and elsewhere? but, perhaps because the position of some of the animals is more precarious, we turned to find out what measures were being discussed for their behoof. The opinion is held unanimously that the chase of the red deer of the Carpathians during the period of rut is harmful to the species and is responsible for the annual degeneration noticeable in the herds. But agreement is not reached as to the best means of meeting the difficulty. The majority hold as a distant ideal the desirability of suspending all hunting during the period of the rut, but since the custom is old-established and widespread, a gradual approach to the desirable end is suggested. An interesting paper by Wladyslaw Burzynski, the chief forester, discusses the position of the bear in the eastern Carpathians. The War was responsible for the slaughter of much of the breeding stock, so that even now the number probably does not exceed three hundred in an area of about 300,000 hectares. A third paper describes a visit to the workings and lodges of two colonies of beavers, one on the Szczara, the other on the Niemen.