P. Sumegi et E. Hertelendi, RECONSTRUCTION OF MICROENVIRONMENTAL CHANGES IN THE KOPASZ HILL LOESSAREA AT TOKAJ (HUNGARY) BETWEEN 15 AND 70 KA BP, Radiocarbon, 40(2), 1998, pp. 855-863
We collected 11 Kopasz Hill loess profiles for paleoecological and geo
chronological analysis. The loess accumulation and development formed
during the last (Weichselian) glacial period between 70 and 15 ka BP.
We found that the majority of the loess profiles were composed of thre
e typical loess strata and two well-developed paleosol horizons. Based
on vertebrate remains, the lowest loess layer formed between 70-50 ka
BP, during the first cool and dry climatic phase of the last glacial
period, when forest steppe vegetation dominated in the Kopasz Hill are
a. On the surface of the lowermost layer, a paleosol developed between
50 and 40 ka BP as an indication of a more humid and warmer climatic
phase. This paleosol layer was buried by a new loess layer that develo
ped between 40 and 32 ka BP. The upper paleosol horizon developed betw
een 32 and 26 ka BP. Molluscs preferring a mild climate were found in
this layer, suggesting that this phase was wet and relatively temperat
e. A number of fired macrocharcoal remains can be found on the top of
this paleosol layer. Charcoal samples from nine sites were dated by ra
diocarbon analyses. These results reflect the presence of a charcoal-r
ich horizon that developed 28-26 ka BP. Ca. 26 ka BP, loess formation
resumed. We analyzed 14 samples from 6 sites by the C-14 method. Based
on C-14 data, the uppermost part of loess profiles developed between
26 and 15 ka BP.