Paleofire dynamics of the Tobol region (based on the lake-bog deposits of the Oskino peat bog)

This study investigates the spatiotemporal dynamics of fire regimes in the northern forest-steppe zone of the Tobol region (south of the Tyumen region) over the past 9.6 ka by integrating palaeoecological, archaeological, and paleofire data from the Oskino lake-bog sediments. The site’s location, situated within northern forest-steppe zone and surrounded by archaeological sites spanning various periods, allows for the assessment of both natural (climatic) and anthropogenic influences on fire regimes. Changes in the peat properties, radiocarbon dating, and quantification of macrocharcoal particles from the Oskino-21 core were employed. Data were correlated with existing macrobotanical and pollen data from the Oskino-09 core, providing a comprehensive context.

The results demonstrate a positive correlation between reduced moisture levels and increased fire activity, along with a correlation between pine forest dominance and fire frequency. Before human settlement of the territory (9.5–8.2 ka BP), high pyrogenic event concentrations suggest a climate–driven fire regime, potentially associated with drier conditions and the prevalence of pine forests. Palynological data from the Neolithic to early Iron Age (up to 4.5 ka BP), reveals minimal human impact on vegetation which could be related to an appropriative economy. However, an increase in fire activity is observed between 5.9 and 4.6 ka BP, potentially linked to human settlement along the lake shore during the Eneolithic and Bronze Age. Between 4.7 and 2.9 ka BP, a shift towards settled pastoralism is observed, accompanied by a decrease in fire frequency. This may be attributed to population migration towards floodplain areas and also increased humidity. The study unequivocally demonstrates a pronounced increase in anthropogenic influence on fire regimes starting at 1.4 ka BP, with economic activities significantly impacting both the background rate of charcoal accumulation and the frequency of fire episodes.

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