Stone age to recent land-use history at Pegrema, northern Lake Onega, Russian Karelia

The village of Pegrema in Karelia may be regarded as a Stone Age innovation centre in the large Lake Onega area. Two pollen and plant macrofossil diag rams are presented which represent the first contribution to the study of h uman impact in the area using anthropogenic pollen indicators. A continuous but sporadic human presence from the Mesolithic onwards is demonstrated. W hile there is no archaeological evidence relating to the period 4200-3000 B .P., the pollen data suggest continuous, though rather sparse human presenc e. The data do not support any natural catastrophes in Pegrema as has been suggested elsewhere. Cerealia pollen is recorded earlier than expected (c. 5000 B.P.). In the Bronze Age and Iron Age, the settlement of the Zaonezhye peninsula is reflected by a slight increase in herb pollen representation, sporadic Cerealia pollen and several periods of regression in Picea. The l ong introductory period of agriculture to the area, as well as the similari ties and discrepancies between different sources of evidence (palaeoecologi cal, archaeological and historical) are discussed at some length. The start of land clearance for permanent cultivation in the profile Pegrema S was d ated to the late 13(th) century. The beginning of more intensive field cult ivation in the 15(th) century is clearly seen in the pollen succession at b oth localities. The fluctuation in anthropogenic indicators can be related to population density based on historical data. The village of Pegrema was depopulated in 1956 which is reflected in a distinct decline in settlement indicators.