Universität zu Köln

Laermanns, Hannes, Kelterbaum, Daniel ORCID: 0000-0003-1487-2304, May, Simon Matthias ORCID: 0000-0001-6762-7500, Elashvili, Mikheil, Opitz, Stephan, Huelle, Daniela, Roelkens, Julian, Verheul, Jan, Riedesel, Svenja ORCID: 0000-0003-2936-8776 and Brueckner, Helmut (2018). Mid- to Late Holocene landscape changes in the Rioni delta area (Kolkheti lowlands, W Georgia). Quat. Int., 465. S. 85 - 99. OXFORD: PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD. ISSN 1873-4553

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Abstract

The Kolkheti lowlands (Colchis, Colchian plain) form the central part of the extensive coastal lowlands along the Black Sea coast of Georgia. Situated between the Greater and the Lesser Caucasus, favourable climatic conditions resulted in a constant human occupation of the region during the Holocene. However, due to continued deltaic sedimentation and alluviation of the river Rioni, the configuration and the environmental conditions of the coast and its hinterland have changed considerably; this was related to sea-level fluctuations of the Black Sea and variation of the sediment supply. This study presents new data on the Holocene coastal evolution of Western Georgia. Based on the geochemical and sedimentological analysis of sediment cores and trenches from the northern part of the Kolkheti lowlands, between the Black Sea and the rivers Rioni and Khobistsqali, and a robust chronology (C-14 and IRSL dating), our goals were (i) to document the chrono-stratigraphy along two coring transects; (ii) to decipher geographical and environmental changes along Georgia's Black Sea coast; and (iii) to trace the sea-level evolution of the study area. Based on the succession of eight facies, representing different depositional environments, our results suggest that significant environmental changes took place throughout the last eight millennia. At least since 5000 cal BC, the sedimentary record indicates the widespread existence of shallow lagoons. Floodplain-related fine-grained alluvium accumulated on top of the lagoonal stratum. The progradation of the delta plain between 3500 and 1500 cal BC was accompanied by the evolution of extensive swamps with peat formation. The data indicate a gradual and moderate sea-level rise since similar to 6000 BC. Ultimately, this and follow-up studies may provide a valuable background for the understanding of the palaeogeographical context of ancient settlements in coastal Georgia. (c) 2017 Elsevier Ltd and INQUA. All rights reserved.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID ORCID Put Code Laermanns, Hannes UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Kelterbaum, Daniel UNSPECIFIED orcid.org/0000-0003-1487-2304 UNSPECIFIED May, Simon Matthias UNSPECIFIED orcid.org/0000-0001-6762-7500 UNSPECIFIED Elashvili, Mikheil UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Opitz, Stephan UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Huelle, Daniela UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Roelkens, Julian UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Verheul, Jan UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Riedesel, Svenja UNSPECIFIED orcid.org/0000-0003-2936-8776 UNSPECIFIED Brueckner, Helmut UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED
URN:	urn:nbn:de:hbz:38-198638
DOI:	10.1016/j.quaint.2016.12.037
Journal or Publication Title:	Quat. Int.
Volume:	465
Page Range:	S. 85 - 99
Date:	2018
Publisher:	PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD
Place of Publication:	OXFORD
ISSN:	1873-4553
Language:	English
Faculty:	Unspecified
Divisions:	Unspecified
Subjects:	no entry
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Keywords Language GRAIN-SIZE DISTRIBUTION; BLACK-SEA; NW GREECE; SEDIMENTS; DEPOSITS; PALEOENVIRONMENTS; GEOMORPHOLOGY; VEGETATION; PENINSULA; HISTORY Multiple languages Geography, Physical; Geosciences, Multidisciplinary Multiple languages
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	http://kups.ub.uni-koeln.de/id/eprint/19863