Landscape dynamics and chronological refinement of the Middle Pleistocene Reinsdorf Sequence of Schoningen, NW Germany

Detailed sedimentological, geochemical, palynological, and aquatic-microfossil analyses on a new composite profile (Para-Reference Profile Schoningen 13 II and Zeugenblock 13 II [2018]) exposed at the archaeological excavation site of Schoningen 13 II reflect several phases of newly recorded lake level fluctuations and vegetation changes. A pronounced deforestation and the expansion of grasses and herbal plant communities characterize the first steppe (open woodland) phase, which follows the interglacial forest communities. A succeeding tripartite woodland phase predominantly marked by Betula and Pinus is followed by another rather dry steppe phase and a second woodland period, which includes the famous archaeological spear horizon 13 II-4ab. Transition into a cold period is indicated by progressive desiccation of the lake and a shift to a steppe/tundra vegetation. Novel 3D images of the 10 most characteristic phases of the Reinsdorf sequence have been constructed based on the botanical data (macro remains as well as palynomorphs), terrestrial vertebrate faunal, geochemical, sedimentological, and previously established data from aquatic microfossils. In addition, a tentative correlation between the post-interglacial phases of the Reinsdorf sequence and Marine Isotope Substages 9d-9a, based on biostratigraphical as well as sedimentological data, is proposed.

Automated summary

Detailed analyses on a new composite profile at the Schoningen 13 II archaeological excavation site reveal lake level fluctuations and vegetation changes. The phases include deforestation, expansion of grasses and herbal plants, woodland phases dominated by Betula and Pinus, dry steppe phases, and a cold period with steppe/tundra vegetation. 3D images of the Reinsdorf sequence phases are constructed based on botanical, faunal, geochemical, sedimentological, and aquatic microfossil data, and a correlation with Marine Isotope Substages 9d-9a is proposed.