Kelemen Imola (szerk.): A Csíki Székely Múzeum Évkönyve 8. (Csíkszereda, 2012)
Régészet - Tibor-Tamás Daróczi: Environmental Changes During the Holocene in Transylvania
ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGES DURING THE HOLOCENE IN TRANSYLVANIA In the Subatlantic, the climate became generally warmer for MTC by ~ 1 °C, MAT — 7-8 °C, MTW ~ 15-16 °C and precipitations decreased by ~ 100 mm.87 Archeco-zones of Transylvania The term of eco-zone from biology needs a slight adaption for use in archaeology and the present study. In the natural sciences, this term means the largest biogeographic region of the planet, of which there are eight altogether. The principle of defining these is based on a specific association of flora, fauna, climate and geomorphology. Since it has a somewhat modified meaning, as of that used in ecology, a renaming of the concept within archaeology seems necessary in order to avoid confusion: instead, the term archeco-zone is used. Applying the eco-zone principles to the above data and information, several eco-zones can be distinguished within the study area. Archeco-zone A (Map 4) is located within the area of the Eastern Carpathians and is characterised as a region of mid and high elevations. The temperature is slightly lower than in the neighbouring regions, especially in the coldest month of the year, while humidity is slightly lower than in the neighbouring Transylvanian Plateau. The flora is specific for the higher-lying regions and high altitude depressions within the area. The northernmost, archeco-zone Al, comprises the Maramureş Depression and the surrounding mid altitude hills and high altitude mountains. It is somewhat warmer than in the rest of the region since winters are slightly less cold, and it has slightly higher values of precipitation. The middle zone has two higher-lying and narrow depressions, Gheorgheni (archeco-zone A2) and Ciuc (archeco-zone A3), bordered by high, northwest running mountain ranges. This specific geomorphology affects the climate and flora of the area, and makes it slightly drier and far colder than any other region in the Eastern Carpathian Basin. The southernmost region is the Braşov Depression (archeco-zone A4), which is characterised by a milder climate due to its lower altitude and open eastern limit, since this area is not bordered by high mountains. Archeco-zone B (Map 4) is located in the Transylvanian Plateau and in the mid altitude hills of northwestern Transylvania. The division into further mid-sized groups is due to the fact that the northwestern part (archeco-zone Bl) is slightly moister and colder in certain periods than the southern one (archeco-zone B3). The area in between these regions (archeco-zone B2) is somewhat lower and is a very flat region of the area; it is the driest and warmest area within the Transylvanian plateau, and the vegetation, during most of the Holocene, is somewhat similar to the Tisza/Tisa Lowland, consisting of meadow steppes. Archeco-zone C (Map 4), like archeco-zone A, is a region of mid and especially high altitude areas. It comprises the Apuseni mountains (archeco-zone Cl), Southern Carpathians (archeco-zone C2). It is dominated by flora specific to high altitude areas, temperatures are lower than in the warmest and coolest month of the year but still slightly warmer than in the high elevated eastern regions. Humidity is slightly lower than in northwestern Transylvania. Appendix 1 Sites with palynological research from the Eastern Carpathian Basin, within formation about individual Holocene phases and a.s.l. elevation. Site name Elevation a.s.l. (m) LG PB BO AT SB SA 1. Avng 400 S S S ✓ 2. Báb-tava 108 V 3. Băgau 290 A 4. Bâlea Lac 2040 5. Bátorliget 130 V ✓ A 87 Feurdean et al. 2008, 500-501. 41
