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Palaeoecology and Archaeology of the Kärlich–Seeufer Open-Air Site (Middle Pleistocene) in the Central Rhineland, Germany

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Sabine Gaudzinski ,
Felix Bittmann ,
Wolfgang Boenigk ,
Manfred Frechen  and
Thijs Van Kolfschoten
Sabine Gaudzinski
Affiliation:
Forschungsbereich Altsteinzeit des Römisch-Germanischen-Zentralmuseums Mainz, Schloss Monrepos, 56567, Neuwied, Germany
Felix Bittmann
Affiliation:
Institut für Palynologie und Quartärwissenschaften, Universität Göttingen, Wilhelm-Weber-Strasse 2, 37073, Göttingen, Germany
Wolfgang Boenigk
Affiliation:
Geologisches Institut der Universität zu Köln, Zülpicher Strasse 49a, 50674, Köln, Germany
Manfred Frechen
Affiliation:
Geologisches Institut der Universität zu Köln, Zülpicher Strasse 49a, 50674, Köln, Germany
Thijs Van Kolfschoten
Affiliation:
Faculteit der Pre- en Protohistorie, Rijksuniversiteit Leiden, Postbus 9515, 2300 RA, Leiden, The Netherlands
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Abstract

The Kärlich–Seeufer archaeological site in Germany's central Rhineland was excavated between 1980 and 1992. The site provides evidence for hominid activity during a Middle Pleistocene interglaciation known up to now only from the Kärlich clay pit and therefore defined as the Kärlich Interglaciation, which is considered to be post-Cromer IV and pre-Holstein (sensu stricto) in age. The site is characterized by Acheulean artifacts, a fauna dominated by Elephas (Palaeoloxodon) antiquus, and a unique and outstanding preservation of wooden and other palaeobotanical remains. Assuming all finds are associated, the site previously was interpreted as an elephant hunting camp with a wooden structure, together with wood and bone implements preserved in situ. Recent analysis of the same features has shown that the site can also be interpreted as a reworked archaeological sample. Hominid occupation occurred in the vicinity of a small lake with prevailing meso-oligotrophic conditions. Expanding boreal forests and fen vegetation characterized the landscape.

Type
Research Article
Information
Quaternary Research , Volume 46 , Issue 3 , November 1996 , pp. 319 - 334
Copyright
University of Washington

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