Fluvial evolution of the Moselle valley in Luxembourg during late Pleistocene and Holocene: palaeoenvironment and human occupation

Abstract

Located in the Moselle valley in Luxembourg, the Wintrange basin has been the subject of systematic geoarchaeological investigations for the last fifteen years. According to observations made upstream, the study area could represent a system of lower terraces build up of two stepped alluvial formations (M2 +10m, M1 +3-5m). A recent synthesis of paleoenvironmental studies done on the M1 formation has produced a chronological framework (radiocarbon and IRSL dating) and permits to precise the stages of morphosedimentary and environmental evolution for this part of the basin since the end of the Weichselian. This preliminary synthesis presents the sedimentary units of the lower terraces M1, the present state of knowledge on the dynamic and the chronology for the deposits, as well as an assessment for the human occupation and its impact on the landscape. The work study shows that there is an important hiatus for the Lateglacial and the beginning of the Holocene for this part of the Moselle valley.

Fluvial response to climatic and anthropogenic forcing in the Moselle drainage basin (NE France) during historical periods: evidence from OSL dating

“…The presence of Roman ceramics in the flood sediments suggests an increased sedimentation rate during Roman times, which could be related to human-induced soil erosion in the Seille catchment. This observation is consistent with reconstructions in the Luxembourgian and German Moselle valley (Zolitschka and Löhr, 1999;Naton et al, 2009) as well as in neighbouring areas (Lang and Hönscheidt, 1999;Dotterweich, 2008;Fuchs et al, 2010). However, the specificity of the Metz-Mazelle section is that the Roman archaeological remains and fluvial sediments are preserved just above the marly bedrock.…”

Methodological Aspects on Luminescence Dating of Fluvial Sands from the Moselle Basin, Luxembourg

“…The AMS radiocarbon dating of a juniperus charcoal found at the basis of the slope sediments overlying the fluvial deposits provided an age estimate of 30,770±300 B.P. (Naton et al, 2009). Due to its stratigraphic position in a colluvial unit, this age does not indicate the timing of aggradation for the M1 terrace.…”

“…The section under study "Rem VI", described in detail by Naton et al, (2009) is located north of the village of Remerschen. Northing and easting of the section are 49°29'46'' and 6°21'14'', respectively.…”