AMS C-14 measurements and macrofossil analyses of a varved sequence near Pudozh, eastern Karelia, NW Russia

The laminated sediments at Pudozh in eastern Karelia are generally assumed to have been deposited between 13000 and 16000 C-14 yr BP and have been use d to date the recession of the active ice margin. However, 17 AMS C-14 meas urements performed on terrestrial plant macrofossils contained in these sed iments show that deposition began during the late Allerod, when the ice mar gin had already receded to the northern part of Lake Onega. Based on an age model, we assume that the 1933-year-long varved sequence covers the time p eriod between c, 12900 and 11000 calendar years BP. During this period, whi ch comprises the later part of the Late Weichselian and the early Holocene, the local vegetation consisted of open, tree-less dwarf shrub heaths. Incr eased soil erosion may have occurred before 12550 calendar years BP.