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Peopling of Central Europe by Middle Pleistocene hominids is highly debatable, mainly due to the relatively harsh climatic and environmental conditions that require cultural and anatomical adjustments. At least several archaeological sites certify human occupation in the region dated back to MIS 13-11, but they represent open-air settlements. Based on the new fieldwork conducted in Tunel Wielki Cave, we can date the human occupation traces in the cave to MIS 14-12. Bipolar-on-anvil knapping technique prevails in the lithic assemblage, made exclusively in flint. The obtained results have given ground for studying the frontiers of human oikumene and the required cultural adaptive abilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Colluvial sediments as a source of information on early Middle Palaeolithic sites. • Reconstruction of early Middle Palaeolithic settlement phases based on loesses. • Correlation of colluvial and aeolian sediments from the last two glaciations. • Unique features of Podillian loess covers compared to the entire Central European loess belt. • Individual character of Pleistocene aeolian activity in the Dniester-Dnieper interfluve. This paper discusses the problems associated with determining the chronology of Palaeolithic settlements in the Podillian region and presents possible solutions to this issue, based on studies of the natural environment in two Palaeolithic centres: Buhliv and Ternopil (BPC and TPC, respectively). Problems arise from the local stratigraphic diversity of the loess-palaeosol sequences containing layers with artefacts, and their multiple redepositions result from periglacial processes. Very often, traces of ancient settlements are disturbed by continuous and/or discontinuous palaeocryogenic deformations. Consequently, it is rare to obtain Palaeolithic data in situ. In contrast, artefacts found without redeposition often lie within or on the surfaces of fossil soils. The main research materials were obtained at the early Palaeolithic site in Buhliv, whose geological profiles are incomplete. The complementary data necessary for the reconstruction of the palaeogeographical time of Palaeolithic settlements associated with cultural layers were obtained in our previous studies using multiple tools, together with luminescence dating of sediments located in close and distant proximity to the BPC, as well as in loess sites located in the TPC, especially Velykyi Glybochok. Our findings indicate that the early Middle Palaeolithic artefacts at the Buhliv site formed two stratigraphically inverted horizons, with the younger artefacts lying beneath the older ones following redeposition. The inventory of the older layers represents the oldest Podillian settlement phase. Similar materials were found in the TPC in older soil of MIS 7. The inventory of the younger layer occurred during the younger soil-forming stage of MIS 7. The disturbance and burial of both early Middle Palaeolithic settlement traces were caused by intensive slope processes that occurred in the early MIS 6. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Kraków Spadzista open-air site, situated in the loess belt in southern Poland, belongs to the best-known Gravettian sites of Europe. Many years of archaeological studies revealed a wealth of faunal remains (especially mammoths) as well as numerous Aurignacian, Gravettian and Epigravettian stone artefacts in several cultural layers. Field pedogeomorphological investigations (2011–2012) and laboratory analyses (geochemical, granulometric, micromorphological, palynological and IRSL dating) were the basis for palaeogeographical discussion on the conditions of the loess-soil sequence development. Five independent litho- and pedological units, corresponding to MIS 5 to 2, were distinguished. Primary loess layers are relatively thin and contain many hiatuses. Diverse structure and development of intra-loess palaeosols reflect their origin, age and stratigraphic rank. The cultural layers were found in weakly developed soils with the traces of subsequent periglacial, mainly deluvial–solifluction, transformations of different intensity. The palaeosols represent two periods of interglacial rank (Eemian forest palaeosol and the overlying postglacial “modern” soil; MIS 5 and 1, respectively) and two interstadials (subarctic soils with the Gravettian artefacts; MIS 3). One weakly developed gleyic horizon with the features of tundra soil occurs within the loess corresponding to climatic pessimum of Weichselian Glaciation (MIS 2). In the very local (promontory with the site) and micro-regional (Sowiniec horst) scales, the distinguished soils are undoubtedly important palaeogeographical and archaeological key horizons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Middle Palaeolithic site in Pronyatyn village is situated on the Ternopil Plateau, on the eastern, long and straight slope of the Krucha Gora hill (369.5 m a.s.l.). The structure of loess cover in this area was investigated in the series of archaeological excavations to a depth of 5–6 m in 1977–1985, 2010 and 2011. Lithological, palaeomagnetical and palynological analyses, as well as TL dating were carried out in the selected profiles. In all profiles, under thin cover of loess from the last aeolian deposition sub-cycle (MIS 2), a set of soils of S1 = Gorohiv s.l. ; (MIS 5 complex) exists. This complex is composed of interglacial and interstadial units. Forest and forest-steppe vegetation, followed by a rich steppe with the continuous occurrence of trees and shrubs and without subarctic elements, developed during the stages of its formation. Based on the investigations of loess cover carried out over a large area, it was found that all sequences are spatially diversified in the profiles located along and across the slope in the middle part of this area. This diversity resulted from the development of pedogenetic and slope processes, depending on morphological features of individual slope segments. In the southern part of the study area, outside the extent of artifact occurrence, the deposits representing MIS 5 are undisturbed or slightly disturbed and contain a loess-soil sequence, which is composed of the interglacial Cambisol (with evidence for the Blake palaeomagnetic event) and 2–3 interstadial soils. Artifacts were discovered in the northern and northwestern parts of the study area, within a solifluctionally redeposited chernozem occurring on a denuded Luvisol. Based on the analysis of the artifact collection, the flint industry is the Western-Podolian, Levallois, radial-parallel, flakes-and-blades, without two-sided tools and with domination of knife-like products on Levallois blanks. This suggestion of the flint industry age as within the younger part of MIS 5 is supported by TL dates. It is most possible that this settlement took place in MIS 5c. Based on spatial distribution of artifacts, state of their preservation, and the features of solifluction deposits representing the younger part of MIS 5, we conclude that the site was originally located on the slope above the excavation area, about 30–50 m to the west. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main research task was to explain the location of the Kraków Spadzista Gravettian site, based on the analyses of land relief and deposit lithology in the surroundings. Field geological (drilling and pit) investigations, geoelectric recognition, tachimetric geomorphological measurements, and geospatial analysis (GIS) were carried out in the site and its immediate vicinity. These investigations were supplemented with the IRSL dating of the cultural layer deposits, palaeosols, and loess. The obtained results indicate that the site was located in a depression of the karstified substratum (Jurassic limestones) filled with clay (Miocene) and loess (Pleistocene). Based on the results of geological and geophysical investigations, we reconstructed the palaeoform parameters, characterized its infilling, and documented spatial lithological variability of the deposits and the cultural layer. Gravettian material was discovered in two partially destroyed palaeosols. The lower one is a denuded initial interstadial soil, and the upper one is a complex solifluction cover composed of redeposited material, probably from a younger interstadial soil. Both units represent the younger part of the Interpleniglacial. The upper soil is buried by the continuous youngest loess layer, which covers the area of the archaeological site, completely covering the older relief. The eastern part of the Sowiniec horst, where the site's complex is situated, had a number of features useful for Palaeolithic settlement. It is a clearly distinguishable promontory, difficult to access almost from all sides. At the same time, it provided a good view for hunters, especially towards the Rudawa River valley. Features of mesoclimate, conditioned by relief, favoured the settlement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Velykyi Glybochok is an important multi-cultural Palaeolithic site, known since 1979. Besides the Late Palaeolithic (I) and Upper Palaeolithic (II) cultural layers, in this site the following Middle Palaeolithic layers are found: III-B in the soil from the last interglacial, III-A in the Ternopil soil horizon from the penultimate glaciation, and III (the oldest Palaeolithic settlement in Podolia) in the soil from the penultimate interglacial. The ages of these cultural layers are determined from their situation in a complex sequence of loesses and paleosols. In this paper we report the results of excavations carried out in the years 2007–2012, which were supplemented with geophysical recognition. The excavations were conducted in a karst depression formed in Neogene limestones. It is filled and covered by loess containing partially redeposited paleosols. These deposits were sampled for lithological, palaeopedological, palaeomagnetic and palynological analyses, the results of which were used for palaeoenvironmental interpretation. Chronostratigraphy was determined based on TL and IRSL dating as well as palaeomagnetic studies. In comparison with the older investigations, the new discovery is quite well-preserved, with a bipartite complex of paleosols (S2-II and S2-I) from the penultimate interglacial (MIS 7), which occurs between the Odranian (Dnieper) loess L3 and the Wartanian (Tyasmin) loess L2. The paleosols are of interglacial nature. Forest and then steppe vegetation grew during two stages of their formation, which were separated by a cool period when a small accumulation of loess and frost processes occurred. The oldest Middle Palaeolithic cultural layer occurs in the older soil (S2-II), indicating that it is the trace of the oldest Palaeolithic settlement in the western Ukraine. Flint artefacts were made using the Levallois method, rarely found in the sites with the Middle Palaeolithic oldest assemblages, rare in Eastern Europe. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Biśnik Cave is an important Palaeolithic site located in the Kraków-Częstochowa Upland. The cave fill is a complex well-stratified sequence composed of 35 layers/sublayers interrupted by number of hiatuses and ranging from Pliocene till modern times. Fifteen Middle Palaeolithic horizons, some of them among the oldest in Poland, represent the most important part of the sequence from an archaeological point of view. The sedimentary sequences in particular parts of the cave have been studied for more than 20 years to investigate the chronostratigraphy and palaeoenvironment. The recent multi-proxy study is based on the application of new methods for the site: analysis of sedimentary and post-sedimentary structures, and weathering stage of limestone rubble and fossil bones, pollen analysis, molecular biomarkers, palaeomagnetic analysis and radiometric dating. Results indicated a more intensive role of re-working and re-deposition in the cave. Older sediments were transported into some stratigraphic horizons from sources within the cave itself as well as from outside, including palaeontological and archaeological materials. Some the detected layers therefore represent a mix derived from different sources. A record of two interglacials (Eemian Interglacial, MIS 5e and Penultimate Interglacial, MIS 7) was established in layers Nos. 15–14–13a–13 and 19a–19, respectively. Middle–Upper Pleistocene sedimentary units were identified with MIS 3–MIS 7/8, instead of previous interpretation to MIS 4–MIS 9. The age of the basal vario-colored complex, previously interpreted mostly as pre-Pleistocene, was newly correlated with MIS 7/8 and Early Pleistocene/Pliocene. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Ciemna Cave is a key Micoquian site located in Ojców National Park, in the southern part of the Kraków-Częstochowa Upland. The site is known for a distinct group of asymmetrical knives, prądniks, as well as the associated cultural assemblage, the “Prądnik industry” or “Micoquo-Prondnikiens”—both named after the Prądnik stream flowing through the valley. Excavation of Ciemna Cave carried out in the early twentieth century provided a series of stratified archaeological materials. The published sections indicated explicitly diverse sequences and contexts in various parts of the site. In Ogrójec (sector CO), a collapsed part of the cave, two cultural layers were recognized within loess deposit: an upper layer with Prądnik industry implements and a lower layer with Prądnik industry artifacts and mixture of older cultural units, including those with handaxes. A different situation was encountered at the entrance to the cave (sector C), where a much longer stratigraphic section with a few artifactually poor cultural levels was discovered. Current excavations began in 2007 targeted a new area of the cave chamber, with a primary goal of correlating geologic and cultural sequences from the previous excavations. At this stage a complete section has been exposed, which comprises 19 major geological layers and 9 archeological levels. The area has provided new lithics finds and chronological data that have allowed us to make preliminary cultural linkages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The Velykyi Glybochok multicomponent open-air Palaeolithic site is situated in Podolia, Western Ukraine. In addition to the Final Palaeolithic and Upper Palaeolithic cultural layers, three Middle Palaeolithic ones were discovered in a sequence of loess with fossil soils covering Neogene limestones exposed in a local quarry. The present paper discusses the characteristics of archaeological materials found in the site as well as the main results of the geological, palaeopedological and palaeontological (mammals and molluscs) investigation. They are used for reconstruction of the past environment changes and stratigraphical interpretation. The oldest cultural layer III is connected with the Korshiv fossil soil (in Ukrainian nomenclature) of the penultimate interglacial (MIS 7); layer III B with the Ternopil Horizon corresponding with climatic amelioration during the penultimate glacial (MIS 6); and layer III A with the Gorohiv fossil soil originated during MIS 5. In the western part of Eastern Europe, outside the Carpathians, several Mousterian sites dated to the last interglacial are known, but Velykyi Glybochok is the only site where Palaeolithic settlement dated to MIS 7 and 6 is documented. The participation of Levalloisian elements is characteristic for artifacts of all the Middle Palaeolithic (Mousterian) cultural assemblages of Velykyi Glybochok. This suggests a local origin of the Dniesterian Mousterian culture with the Levalloisian technique of stone flaking. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Biśnik Cave is situated in the limestone rock, 7m above the bottom of the presently dry Wodąca valley. It is located in the Smoleń–Niegowonice Range in the southern part of the Częstochowa Upland. To date, an area of 260m2 has been explored, to the depth of 150–850cm. The results of sedimentological, geomorphological, palaeozoological and archaeological investigations provided the basis for the reconstruction of the history of habitation at the Biśnik Cave, in the background of palaeoenvironmenal transformations. Throughout about 300,000 years of occupation, the cave was surrounded by a changing and widely diversified natural environment, with steppe, tundra and forest ecosystems, and marshland and aquatic biotopes. This, combined with the opportunity to exploit varied ecological niches, made the cave a particularly attractive habitation site. As a result, the cave has remnants of a number of habitation phases: ten in the Middle Palaeolithic, one in the Upper Palaeolithic and at least five in the period between the Neolithic and the Middle Ages. The importance of the Biśnik Cave stems from the fact that it has the longest sequence of cave sediments in Poland, seventeen cultural levels including remnants of the oldest Palaeolithic in this part of Europe and the oldest dwelling structures ever discovered in Poland. The history of environment changes was reconstructed based on sedimentological and palaeozoological data. The multiproxy palaeoecology and climatology data are extremely significant for the reconstruction of palaeogeography of Central Europe in the Middle and Upper Pleistocene as well as human occupation history. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The Velykyi Glybochok Palaeolithic site near Ternopil town (Podolia Upland) contains a set of cultural layers in a sequence of loess and fossil soils. Beside the archaeological study of stone assemblages, the profile was investigated using lithological, palaeopedological and geochemical methods, including stable carbon and oxygen isotopes composition of pedogenic carbonates, soils micromorphology and TL dating. Remnants of vertebrates'' bones and mollusc shells were also distinguished. The oldest cultural layer III documented the presence of Palaeolithic people during the Penultimate Interglacial represented by fossil soil – cambisol in type, developed under dense vegetation cover. The cultural layer III B is connected with initial cambisol originated in a short period of open landscape vegetation with shrubs development, dated to the climatic amelioration during the time of Penultimate Glaciation. The Last Interglacial is represented by luvisol formation with two stages of illuviation, which shows forest type of vegetation. Materials of the cultural layer III A were dispersed in the soil irregularly and mixed with artifacts of cultural layer II. Artifacts of III, III A and III B cultural layers represent the Middle Palaeolithic “Dniesterian Mousterian culture with Levalloisian technique”. These of assemblage II represent the Upper Palaeolithic. Inside the recent soil at the top of the sequence, the Mesolithic cultural layer I is present. Velykyi Glybochok is the only multilayer site in Podolia with detailed information about geological position of particular cultural layers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]