Holocene relative shore level changes and Stone Age hunter‐gatherers in Hiiumaa Island, eastern Baltic Sea

Abstract

Holocene relative shore level (RSL) changes and Stone Age palaeogeography of Hiiumaa Island are reconstructed using airborne LiDAR elevation data, sedimentological and archaeological proxies as well as GIS‐based landscape modelling. Altogether, 38 RSL index and limiting points are used in modelling and presented in the current paper. The highest raised shorelines of the Ancylus Lake and Litorina Sea, mapped at the elevations of 47 and 26 m a.s.l., formed around 10.3 and 7.4 cal. ka BP, respectively. The reconstructed RSL curve reveals a 20‐m drainage of Ancylus Lake followed by a land‐uplift‐driven 3‐m regression during the Initial Litorina Sea period. RSL rise during the Litorina Sea transgression remained below 4 m and its maximum was reached later than proposed previously, discarding therefore the idea of highly diachronous Litorina culmination in the eastern Baltic Sea. During the period 7.4–6.0 cal. ka BP,RSL fall was about 4.3 mm a−1, and afterwards in average at about 1 mm‐1 less suggesting deceleration in isostatic rebound. suggesting deceleration in isostatic rebound. Palaeogeographical reconstructions show that during its earliest occupation at about 7.6 cal. ka BP less than 1% of the terrain of Hiiumaa was above the sea level and that wind‐protected SE exposed shores were the most preferred campsite locations of Late Mesolithic and Neolithic settlers. These campsites are located successively at lower elevations following the shoreline retreat and show repeated use of this coastal area between 7.6 and 4.6 cal. ka BP. Due to the spread of the Corded Ware culture around 4.8–4.0 cal. ka BP the settlements of Hiiumaa Island and many other coastal areas of the eastern Baltic moved from the coast to more suitable places for agriculture and animal husbandry.

Late-Holocene relative sea-level changes and palaeoenvironment of the Pre-Viking Age ship burials in Salme, Saaremaa Island, eastern Baltic Sea

“…The mean elevations of the two highest shorelines which are traceable around the Salme palaeostrait system were calculated based on the methodology which was described by Rosentau et al (2020) and the LiDAR-DTM (Estonian Land Board, 2020). The elevation was measured at every 40–60 m along the shoreline in the respective DTM.…”

New insight into the palaeoenvironmental dynamics as a background of the human history in the Nemunas River delta region, W Lithuania, throughout the Lateglacial and Early Holocene

“…These publications suggested some fresh ideas for the interpretation of the earlier findings, prompting revision of the Baltic Sea history in the area. It should be emphasised that in discussing the shore-level displacement history, an increasing importance of the underwater landscape studies, including those in submerged archaeological layers, has been demonstrated as well (Veski et al 2005;Žulkus et al 2015;Girininkas, Žulkus 2012Girininkas, Žulkus , 2017Žulkus, Girininkas 2020;Berzins et al 2016;Muru et al 2017;Hansson et al 2018;Nirgi et al 2020;Rosentau et al 2013Rosentau et al , 2020. Correlation between geological-geomorphological and archaeological data is of particular importance analysing the Lateglacial -Early Holocene environmental dynamics in the area and we follow the trend in our study as well.…”

We Came for the Lake—Late Pleistocene Landscape Reconstruction in Lieth Moor, District Pinneberg, Germany

“…Moreover, in this relatively flat landscape, the elevated dunes would serve as a protective barrier against westerly winds [102,103], creating an environment where people feel secure. Potentially, more bushes and trees could thrive here during the harsh conditions of the Dryas 3 stadial.…”