Several pollen assemblages have been identified in the studied sequence of Serteya 2 site (Fig. 15).
Figure 15: Serteya 2. Pollen diagram
Depth: 4.6-4.05m. Compact clayey lake mud. Clayey lake mud. The dominance of Betula (40-55%) followed by Pinus (15-20%). Ulmus (10-13%) dominates among broad-leaved species, with Tilia at 4-5%. Quercus appears only at the end of this unit, likewise Alnus and Corylus. The herb taxa vary between 5-15%, most common are Poaceae and Cyperaceae. Spores are represented by Polypodiaceae in insignificant quantity.
Depth: 4.05-2.65m. Clayey fine detritus lake mud with fragmented lake shells. A stable state of the woodland with low amounts of herbs (<3%). High content of Alnus (20-35%) and the low presence of Pinus, Picea and Betula (<15% in total). Comparatively high content of broad-leaved species, Ulmus (12-18%), Quercus (7-12%), Tilia (2-7%), and also Corylus (10-20%).
Depth: 2.65-2.4m. Clayey fine detritus lake mud with fragmented lake shells. A rapid rise in Picea and Pinus, with the decrease of Betula, Alnus, and broad-leaved species, Ulmus, Quercus, Tilia, and also Corylus. An increased amount of herbs, Poaceae and Cyperaceae. One notes the appearance of water chestnut, Trapa natans.
Depth: 2.4-2.0m. Clayey fine detritus lake mud with fragmented lake shells. A decrease in Picea and Pinus, concomitant with the rise of Betula and Alnus, and an increase in broad-leaved species, Ulmus, Quercus, Tilia, and also Corylus. A general increase of herbs, Poaceae and Cyperaceae, including the appearance of heliophytic herbs, Artemisia and Chenopodiaceae, and isolated occurrence of grains of Cerealia.
Depth: 2.0-0m. This part of the sequence includes the deposits of archaeological deposits of Late Neolithic-Early Bronze Age. A significant instability of the woodland, allegedly caused by a strong human impact: selective felling in considerable parts of forests for to procure piles, and burning in the course of swidden-type agriculture. Several cycles may be distinguished.
Depth: 2.0-1.8m. Clayey lake mud with plant detritus. Increase in the amount of Picea, Pinus, and Betula. Decrease in Alnus and Ulmus, Quercus, Tilia, Fraxinus and also Corylus. Increased in the content of herbs, Poaceae and Cyperaceae, heliophytic herbs, Artemisia and Chenopodiaceae. Isolated grains of Cerealia.
Depth: 1.8-1.5m. Lake mud and archaeological deposits (lower part). Decreased content of Picea and Pinus, with the rise of Betula and Alnus (up to 40%). Further fall in the rate of broad-leaved species, Ulmus, Quercus, and also Corylus. Further increase in the content of herbs, Poaceae and Cyperaceae, Artemisia, Chenopodiaceae, Cyperaceae, and Gramineae. One notes the appearance of Filipendula, Lythrum and Lamiaceae. Increased frequency of Cerealia.
Depth: 1.5-0.9m. Lake mud and archaeological deposits (upper part). Rapid decrease in the content of Picea and slight increase of Pinus. A slight increase followed by a sharp increase in the content of Alnus (up to 40%). Further reduction and quasi total disappearance of Ulmus, Quercus, and also Corylus. General decline in the content of herbs, notably, Poaceae and Cyperaceae, and also Artemisia, Chenopodiaceae. The maximum frequency of Cerealia, and the appearance of weeds (notably, Plantago lanceolata) and apophytes or plants indicative of strong or moderate human impact: Apiaceae, Rubiaceae and Rosaceae.
Depth: 0.9-0.0m. Lake mud with plant detritus (0.9-0.5m); peat accumulated in a low fen mire (0.5-0.0m). Rapid reduction of forest which became dominated by Picea and Pinus. Vast expansion of open treeless speces and wet meadows as indicated by a rapid increase of Cyperaceae and various herbs including Filipendula, Apiaceae, Asteraceae and Carophyllaceae. Human impact on the vegetation become particularly apparent after 1110±60 BP, signalled by the Cerealia pollen (Triticum and Secale-like), and the variety of anthropochores and ruderals, including Artemisia, Chenopodiaceae, Brassicaceae, and Cannabis-type pollen.
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