Sequence completed - palynological investigations on Lateglacial/Early Holocene environmental changes recorded in sequentially laminated lacustrine sediments of the Nahe palaeolake in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany

The exploration of Lateglacial vegetation history in Schleswig-Holstein is elaborate and comprehensive. Despite being one of the most studied areas, regarding to the Lateglacial, no biostratigraphy covering the complete Lategladal and Early Holocene periods without hiatus have so far been recovered In this paper we present a biostratigraphy of the Nahe paleolake, therewith intending to deal with this desideratum. The special strength of the presented sequence is expressed in the fact that these are the only palynologically investigated sequentially annual laminated limnic sediments of the Lateglacial in Schleswig-Holstein. These laminated sediments, as well as radiocarbon dating of botanical macrofossils and three geochemically confirmed cryptotephra layers (Laacher See Tephra. Vedde Ash and Saksunarvatn Ash), provide excellent chronological control and allow for a Europe-wide correlation. Particularly important is a complete discussion of the vegetation history and the spatial proximity to Late Paleolithic sites, which renders it possible to evaluate potential human-environment-interaction long before dassical palynological human indicators occur. (C) 2020 Published by Elsevier B.V.