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Absolute Dating (14C and OSL) of the Formation of Coversand Ridges Occupied by Prehistoric Hunter-Gatherers in NW Belgium

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 July 2016

Philippe Crombé ,
Mark van Strydonck ,
Mathieu Boudin ,
Tess van den Brande ,
Cilia Derese ,
Dimitri A G Vandenberghe ,
Peter van den Haute ,
Mona Court-Picon ,
Jacques Verniers  and
Vanessa Gelorini
...Show all authors
Philippe Crombé*
Affiliation:
Ghent University, Dept. of Archaeology, Research Unit Pre- and Protohistory, Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat 35, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
Mark van Strydonck
Affiliation:
Royal Institute for Cultural Heritage, Jubelpark 1, B-1000 Brussels, Belgium
Mathieu Boudin
Affiliation:
Royal Institute for Cultural Heritage, Jubelpark 1, B-1000 Brussels, Belgium
Tess van den Brande
Affiliation:
Royal Institute for Cultural Heritage, Jubelpark 1, B-1000 Brussels, Belgium
Cilia Derese
Affiliation:
Ghent University, Laboratory of Mineralogy and Petrology (Luminescence Research Group), Dept. of Geology and Soil Science, Krijgslaan 281, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
Dimitri A G Vandenberghe
Affiliation:
Ghent University, Laboratory of Mineralogy and Petrology (Luminescence Research Group), Dept. of Geology and Soil Science, Krijgslaan 281, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
Peter van den Haute
Affiliation:
Ghent University, Laboratory of Mineralogy and Petrology (Luminescence Research Group), Dept. of Geology and Soil Science, Krijgslaan 281, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
Mona Court-Picon
Affiliation:
Ghent University, Research Unit of Palaeontology, Dept. of Geology and Soil Science, Krijgslaan 281 (S8-W13), B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
Jacques Verniers
Affiliation:
Ghent University, Research Unit of Palaeontology, Dept. of Geology and Soil Science, Krijgslaan 281 (S8-W13), B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
Vanessa Gelorini
Affiliation:
Ghent University, Research Unit of Palaeontology, Dept. of Geology and Soil Science, Krijgslaan 281 (S8-W13), B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
Johanna A A Bos
Affiliation:
ADC ArcheoProjecten, Nijverheidsweg-Noord 114, 3812 PN Amersfoort, the Netherlands
Frederike Verbruggen
Affiliation:
ADC ArcheoProjecten, Nijverheidsweg-Noord 114, 3812 PN Amersfoort, the Netherlands
Marc Antrop
Affiliation:
Ghent University, Dept. of Geography, Krijgslaan 281, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
Machteld Bats
Affiliation:
Ghent University, Dept. of Archaeology, Research Unit Pre- and Protohistory, Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat 35, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
Jean Bourgeois
Affiliation:
Ghent University, Dept. of Archaeology, Research Unit Pre- and Protohistory, Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat 35, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
Jeroen De Reu
Affiliation:
Ghent University, Dept. of Archaeology, Research Unit Pre- and Protohistory, Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat 35, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
Philippe De Maeyer
Affiliation:
Ghent University, Dept. of Geography, Krijgslaan 281, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
Philippe De Smedt
Affiliation:
Ghent University, Research Group Soil Spatial Inventory Techniques, Dept. of Soil Management, Coupure 653, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
Peter A Finke
Affiliation:
Ghent University, Laboratory of Soil Science, Dept. of Geology and Soil Science, Krijgslaan 281, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
Marc van Meirvenne
Affiliation:
Ghent University, Research Group Soil Spatial Inventory Techniques, Dept. of Soil Management, Coupure 653, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
Ann Zwertvaegher
Affiliation:
Ghent University, Laboratory of Soil Science, Dept. of Geology and Soil Science, Krijgslaan 281, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
*
Corresponding author. Email: [email protected]
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Abstract

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Based on radiocarbon and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) results obtained in the last 5 yr, this paper discusses the absolute chronology of the formation of one of the largest sand dunes within NW Belgium, the Great Ridge of Maldegem-Stekene. Multiproxy analysis of 6 sedimentary sequences points to a complex formation history covering the entire Late Glacial. Dry phases, characterized by eolian deflation and sedimentation, alternated with wet phases in which numerous mostly shallow dune slacks were filled with freshwater. The latter reached their highest water level during the first half of the Allerød, attracting both animals (e.g. European elk) and humans (Federmesser hunter-gatherers). Near the end of the Allerød, all dune slacks finally disappeared as they were filled in with windblown sand ("coversand"), likely forcing prehistoric hunter-gatherers to leave the area.

Type
Articles
Information
Radiocarbon , Volume 54 , Issue 3-4 , 2012 , pp. 715 - 726
Copyright
Copyright © 2012 by the Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of the University of Arizona 

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