Holocene climate variability and cultural dynamics in the Indian subcontinent

Mishra, Praveen K.; Chauhan, Parth R.; Diwate, Pranaya; Parth, Shah; Anoop, Ambili

doi:10.18814/epiiugs/2020/020036

Cited by 7 publications

(3 citation statements)

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“…In the past 10 kyr, the Indian Peninsula experienced distinct climate change. The earlier part of the Holocene was characterised by more humid and possibly also warmer conditions (Herzschuh, 2006; Mishra et al, 2020). Since ca 5 ka, various drying pulses occurred, related to ISM weakening (Berkelhammer et al, 2013; Dixit et al, 2014), culminating in two droughts between 4.6 and 3.9 kyr cal.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Diversity patterns of plant functional types in the Holocene of Central India: A case study on the Lonar Crater Lake pollen record

et al. 2023

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Diversity of Plant Functional Types (PFTs) along a sediment core drilled in Lonar Crater Lake, Central India, is analysed, based on previously published pollen data for a total of 115 depth levels and covering the past 9.2 kyr. Our results support concepts of a dominantly humid period persisting until ca. 5 ka, succeeded by a significantly drier phase with weaker monsoon, including various prominent drying pulses. Throughout the Holocene, plant diversity at Lonar was composed of a variable proportion of herbaceous PFTs (ca. 40–60%) and mainly angiosperm woody PFTs. Changes in herbaceous diversity account for a considerable part of the observed PFT data variability. PCA analysis reveals a total of four partly alternating diversity associations (DAs) interpretable in terms of vegetation spanning from drier Savanna and dry deciduous forest to (semi-) evergreen woody vegetation, mainly recorded in older strata. It is shown that the succession of the DAs is largely triggered by climate change inferred from other proxies. Correlation analysis with geochemical data testifies that the diversity signal obtained is largely unaffected by sedimentary processes and detrital inflow, highlighting the potential of this archive to reflect ‘true’ diversity signals, rather than artefacts of sedimentary processes. While warm and humid conditions promoted diversity, drying and weak monsoon tended to cause diversity loss. In contrast, the relative diversity of dry herbs increased during drier periods. Short-term variability in our data is evident in varying diversity percentages of single PFTs and their ratios. Changing ratios of dry on mesic herbs, the relation of shrub and tree diversity, tropical on temperate PFTs, and total plant diversity are likely related to solar cycles. Evidence for recurrent cooling episodes through solar forcing comes from the observed coincidence of Grand Solar Minima and minima in the tropical/temperate PFT ratio.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Diversity patterns of plant functional types in the Holocene of Central India: A case study on the Lonar Crater Lake pollen record

et al. 2023

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“…Budihal, Watgal, Utnur, Sanganakallu, Hallur, and Nagarajupalle), the Neolithic stage appears to be variably contemporary with the Indus Valley/Harappan Civilization and younger cultures. One of the key sites in northeastern India include Daojali Hading and those in eastern India is Golabai Sasan (see Mishra et al, 2020).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This review aims to evaluate the contribution of climatic changes and their multifaceted relationships with the dynamic cultural history of the Indian Subcontinent throughout the Holocene (e.g. Mishra et al, 2020). The composite environmental diversity and specific geographic barriers separate the Indian Peninsula from the rest of the continent rendering it as a laboratory suitable for long-term socioecological studies (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigating possible links between Holocene environmental changes and cultural transitions across India

Behera

Chauhan

2023

The Holocene

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From the early Holocene onward, the Indian Subcontinent has accommodated a range of diverse human cultures and associated ecological adaptations and lifestyles. Around 10 kyrs ago, the Subcontinent has witnessed the development of later Mesolithic hunter-gatherers and their subsequent regional transitions to pastoralist (Neolithic) and agricultural (Chalcolithic) lifeways. The Holocene climate records reveal discrepancies in the timing and duration of climatic events, which can be attributed to a vast geographic isolation, the influence of height, elevation, and local climatic conditions. These changing climatic patterns including the development of a geographically variable monsoon directly impacted these various cultures including the Harappans and their contemporaries as well as younger Historical and Medieval empires across India, at various levels. In some regions, environmental changes led to uneven cultural transitions, geographic migrations, and the development of regionally-distinct material cultures along with establishment of sedentary life-ways. This paper attempts to present a review broadly correlating general climatic patterns throughout the Holocene period of India with regional cultural dynamics. All geomorphic-climatic zones of the Subcontinent showed strong inter-proxy coherence between 9 and 5 kyrs in response to increased precipitation. After this warming period ends, we see a moderate dry period as a result of a weakening monsoon and an overall tendency toward aridity throughout all zones (after 4 kyrs). The temporal variation of human habitation and respective adaptive responses suggest broad linkages to the varying climatic and physiographic features at a regional scale. Learning how this shaped human eco-dynamics in the past can help us expand our understanding of human history and implement lessons for the present as well as the future.

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Role of Stable Isotopes in Climate Studies – A Multi-archive Approach Focusing on Holocene to Anthropocene Records

Singh

Mishra

2022

Hydro-Meteorological Extremes and Disasters

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Holocene climate variability and cultural dynamics in the Indian subcontinent

Abstract: https: //doi.org/10.18814/epiiugs/2020/020036 pastoralism, domestication of animals, sedentary human life, beginning of the complex social order, and the rise and fall of various dynasties (Hodell et al.

Cited by 7 publications

References 89 publications

Diversity patterns of plant functional types in the Holocene of Central India: A case study on the Lonar Crater Lake pollen record

Diversity patterns of plant functional types in the Holocene of Central India: A case study on the Lonar Crater Lake pollen record

Investigating possible links between Holocene environmental changes and cultural transitions across India

Role of Stable Isotopes in Climate Studies – A Multi-archive Approach Focusing on Holocene to Anthropocene Records

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