|
|||||
|
|
Climate change and the expansion of the Scythian culture after 850 BC: a hypothesis |
|
| Authors: | B van Geel N A Bokovenko N D Burova K V Chugunov V A Dergachev V G Dirksen M Kulkova A Nagler H Parzinger J van der Plicht S S Vasiliev G I Zaitseva |
| Institution: | a Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, Universiteit van Amsterdam, Kruislaan 318, 1098 SM, Amsterdam, The Netherlands;b Institute for the History of Material Culture of the Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia;c State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia;d Ioffe Physico-Technical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia;e Institute of Volcanological Geology and Geochemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Pertopavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia;f Deutsches Archäologisches Institut, Eurasien-Abteilung, Im Dol 2-6, 14195, Berlin, Germany;g Centre for Isotope Research, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG, Groningen, The Netherlands |
| Abstract: | In south-central Siberia archaeological evidence suggests an acceleration of cultural development and an increase in the density of nomadic populations around 850 BC. We hypothesize a relationship with an abrupt climatic shift towards increased humidity caused by a decline of solar activity. Areas that initially may have been hostile semi-deserts changed into attractive steppe landscapes with a high biomass production and high carrying capacity. Newly available steppe areas could be invaded by herbivores, making them attractive for nomadic tribes. The central Asian horse-riding Scythian culture expanded, and an increased population density was a stimulus for westward migration towards southeastern Europe. |
| Keywords: | Carrying capacity Chronology Climate change Eurasia Migration Scythian culture Solar forcing |
| 本文献已被 ScienceDirect 等数据库收录！ | |