saltwart and ephemeral semi-deserts on gray and light-chestnut soils. The
annual precipitation
is 200-500 mm, while the average temperatures of July and January are 25-27º and 0-3º
respectively.
The palynological method is the most effective for the reconstruction of the human
habitat. Sampling for analysis was carried out by each 5 cm in the cultural layer of each
settlement. Cameral studies and chemical treatment of spore, as well as pollen samples were
carried out in accordance with the method of maceration of V.P.Grichuk. Pollen and spores
were viewed using temporary preparations through the “Carl Zeiss” microscope while the
enlargement was x400 and x600 with simultaneous photographing.
The definition of spores and pollen was based on the use of pollen atlases (Kuprijanova
& Aleshina, 1978) and electronic atlases of modern pollen and spores (
https://www.polba.ru
;
https://oldweb.geog.berkeley.edu/ProjectsResources/pollenKey/byType.html
;
https://www.paldat.org/
). Statistical processing of the results of the determination and
registration of microfossils was carried out by the method of counting of Karevskaja (1999).
Results
The settlement of Chalagantepe (middle of the 5th millennium BC (6560±60 years ago [22] is
located on the Karabakh plain. The spore-pollen diagram is characterized by the predominance
of grass pollen (60-100%), at the beginning –
Gramineae, then –
Polygonáceae. Pollen of
Chenopodiaceae,
Artemisia, and
Ephedra are rare. As for woody plants, domination belongs to
pollen of
Pinus s/g, Diploxylon (70-90%) and
Carpinus (up to 20-25%), while
Juglans and
Fagus
are
rare. No spore is available.
The settlement of Alikemektepesi (the last quarter of the 5th millennium BC) is located
on the Mugan plain. The pollen of grasses of
Compositae and
Chenopodiaceae prevail. The
rarely found pollen
includes Fabaceae, Cyperaceae, Ranunculaceae and
Quercus prevail.
The settlement of Leilatepe (second quarter to the middle of the 4th millennium BC)
[23] is on the Karabakh plain. Pollen grasses predominate up to 100%. The pollen of woody
plants of
Pinus,
Carpinus caucasica and
Ulmus is rare. The spores are represented by mosses.
There are two palynozones. In the lower palynozone, pollen of
Malvaceae (60-70%) and
Gramineae (20%) prevail, whereas the upper palynozone is dominated by pollen of
Chenopodium botris L., Convolvulus and
Polygonaceae.
The settlement of Farmantepe (second half of the 4th millennium BC – 6-5.9 thousand
years ago) is located on the Karabakh plain. The spore and pollen spectrum is dominated by
the pollen of herbaceous plants (67 to 96%) with prevalence of
Chenopodiaceae. Pollen of tree
species is lesser (4-29%) and represented by
Pinus eldarica, Salix, Tamarix, Juniperus, Pistacia,
and
Morus. Three spore-pollen zones are distinguished.
The settlement of Alkhantepe (second half of the 4th millennium BC) [7]
is located in the
southern part of the Mugan plain and the foothills of the Talysh Mountains. Pollen grasses,
including
Compositae, Chenopodiaceae, Artemisia, and
Gramineae, as well as motley grass are
spread much (50-95%). Pollen of woody plants (1-38%) is represented by
Pinus eldarica,
Populus, Ulmus, Carpinus, and
Salix. Spores of
Equisetum, Polypodiaceae, and
Osmunda are
rare
. There are 4 palynozones here.
Soyug-Bulag Mound (the last quarter of the 4th millennium BC) is located on the
Garayaz Plain with the prevalence of grass pollen (68 to 95%):
Compositae, Chenopodiaceae,
Artemisia, and
Fabaceae. Among the pollen of wood (from 5 to 29%)
Pinus eldarica is the most
found.
Pinus kochiana, and
Abies, as well as
Quercus, Ulmus, Carpinus, Salix, Acer, Alnus, and
Pterocarya found, too.
Spores are rare. There are 3 palynozones.
The settlement of Uchoglan
(3rd millennium BC) is located on the Karabakh plain. With
prevalence of pollen of herbs of Chenopodiaceae, Fabaceae,
Compositae, and
Polygonaceae,
290
pollen of woody plants (up to 10%) is represented by
Ulmus (up to 50%),
Alnus (up to 40%),
Pinus eldarica (up to 40%), as well as by
Carpinus caucasica (up to 25%),
Corylus (up to 25%)
and
Fagus (up to 10% ). Spores are represented by mosses.
Discussion
According to the classification of climatic rhythms of Holocene A.Blitt-R.Sernander, in the
territory
of Azerbaijan, three periods of changes in natural conditions are distinguished for the
palynological spectra of the Neolithic settlements.
The first period.
The first half of the Atlantic period, 6th-5th millenniums BC (8-6
thousand years ago). The settlements of Chalagantepe and Alikemektepesi. At this stage,
desiccation of climate happened, as evidenced by an increase in
the pollen of xerophilic
grasses and a decrease in pollen of tree species. The vegetation cover of the steppes changed
due to natural (climate aridization) and anthropogenic (occurrence of plant-growing) factors.
At the same time, aridization contributed to the emergence of plant-growing, which mainly
developed in the floodplain of the Kura and its tributaries, in the flood lands, which led to the
“flowering” of crops and weeds.
The second period.
The second half of the Atlantic period, 4th millennium BC. (6-5
thousand hp). The spectra of the settlements of Leylatepe, Alkhantepe, Soyug-Bulag and
Farmantepe correspond to this period. At this stage, the humidity of the climate increased.
This is evidenced by an increase in the pollen of motley grasses
mesophilic grasses, and an
increase in pollen of tree species – up to 38% in the Alkhantepa section. The presence of pollen
of
Fagus orientalis,
Picea orientalis and
Abies in the spectrum is fixed. Pollen of these trees,
most likely, was introduced from neighboring areas (they did not grow on the plain), however,
this drift occurred not very long ago. The presence of beech pollen in the Alkhantepe section
shows that at that time the beech descended below 600 m
on the Mugan plain, and the
climate was accordingly more humid than now, with an average annual rainfall of at least 420
mm per year. A decrease in
Pinus eldarica pollen in the spectra is fixed, which
is related to the
anthropogenic impact – cutting of trees. The invention of the potter’s wheel and the
manufacture of ceramics in this period led to the use of pine wood for ceramic firing. This
stage ended with a strong aridization, which put an end to the Leilatepe culture as it is fixed in
the sections of Alkhantepe, Leilatepe and Soyug-Bulag.
The third period. The first half of the
subboreal period, 3rd millennium BC (5-4
thousand years ago). The spectra of the Uchoglan settlement corresponds to this period. The
composition of the pollen, namely, a large amount of beech pollen (up to 10%) is an evidence
of a more humid climate. Higher humidity is evidenced also by the fact of settlement of the
elevations and high river terraces by the inhabitants of the Kura-Aras culture, unlike what did
their predecessors. This indicates the high water content of the rivers and the greater amount
of precipitation. Long-term (more than 1000 years) existence of settlements of this culture (it
has accumulated powerful cultural layers) was responsible for the the depletion of soils. On
the other hand, the increase in river flow and the flooding of the most fertile flood lands led, at
the end, to the weakening of the inhabitants of the Kura-Aras culture.
References
Ahundov, T.I.,2000, Central'nyj i vostochnyj regiony Juzhnogo Kavkaza v VI-III tys. do n.je. (klimat,
kul'tura, rasselenie).// Kavkaz i stepnoj mir v drevnosti i srednie veka. Mahachkala, p. 118-
121.
Ahundov, T.I., Almamedov, H.I., 2009. Juzhnyj Kavkaz v jepohu neolita – rannej bronzy (central'nyj i
vostochnyj region) // Azerbajdzhan – strana, svjazyvajushhaja vostok i zapad. VII-IV tys. do
n.je., Baku, p. 31-37.
291