Matskási István (szerk.): A Magyar Természettudományi Múzeum évkönyve 93. (Budapest 2001)

Medzihradszky, Zs.: The Holocene sequence of the pollen record from Keszthely-Úsztatómajor, Hungary

DISCUSSION Our investigated area, the possible catchment area of the sampling site (BERGLUND 1986) was settled since about 4600 BC. Archaeological excavations and the topography detected seven settlements of Middle Neolithic Cultures in this area. The first permanent presence of the cereal pollen in the Ile subzone is originated from this period. The Lengyel Culture of the Late Neolithic, Early Copper Age had an important role in the area of the Kis-Balaton. The III phase represents this period in the pollen diagram. Somewhat higher amount of the pollen of cereals shows the presence of the crop cultivation. We have not any unambiguous signs of forest clearing during this period in our area. Next the Baden Culture, the Early and Middle Bronze Age (the IV and V zones) caused changes in the vegetation of the area. The first peak of the cereals can be dated to the cultures of this period. Whereas Quercus decreases are observable during this period, an increase of Fagus refers to some climatic change. During the Middle Bronze Age, the middle third part of the II millennia BC, a short period of the opening the landscape can be detected, but at the end of the Middle Bronze Age a short reforestation is observable again. The uppermost part of our sequence shows a distinct decrease of the trees except Fagus, and a higher value of the cereals. The relatively quick and very intensive moving of the prehistoric tribes in Middle Europe caused irreversible changes in the vegetation of our area. * * * Acknowledgements - The study was sponsored by the Horizon-Multiplan Rt. (Budapest). REFERENCES BERGLUND, B. E. (1986): Palacoecological reference areas and reference sites. - In: BERGLUND, B. E. (ed.): Handhook of Holocene Palaeoecology and Palaeohydrology. John Wiley & Sons Ltd., Chichester etc., pp. 111-126. ERDTMAN, G. (1943): An Introduction to Pollen Analysis. - Waltham, Mass., USA, 139 pp. FAEGRI, K. & WERSEN, J. (1989): Textbookof Pollen Analysis. [4th edition by FAEGRI, K., KALAND, P. E. & KRZYWINSKI, K. ] John Wiley & Sons Ltd., Chichester etc., 328 pp. KÖLTŐ, L. & VÁNDOR, L. (1996): Évezredek üzenete a láp világából. (Régészeti kutatások a Kis-Balaton területén. [Message of the Past from the World of the Mire. Archaeological investigations of the Kis-Balaton area.] - A Somogy Megyei Múzeumok Igazgatósága & Zala Megyei Múzeumok Igazgatósága, Kaposvár-Zalaegerszeg, 165 pp. MOORE, P. D., WEBB, J. A. & COLLINSON, M. E. (1991): Pollen Analysis. - Blackwell, Oxford etc., 216 pp.