Quaternary

27 pages, 9336 KB

Open AccessArticle

Phytoliths and Pollen from a Desert Wetland Through the Last Glacial–Interglacial Cycle in Azraq, Jordan

by Carlos E. Cordova, Christopher J. H. Ames, Kelsey C. Boyd, Haidee R. Cadd, Michael Bird, Amer S. Alsouliman, April Nowell and James T. Pokines

Quaternary 2026, 9(1), 18; https://doi.org/10.3390/quat9010018 - 13 Feb 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 978

Abstract

Phytoliths, pollen, and spores in a stratigraphic sequence from the Shishan Wetland (Azraq Basin, Jordan) and supported by modern pollen and phytolith data provide information on vegetation, climatic trends, and the influence of fire through MIS 2 and MIS 1. Additionally, a pilot [...] Read more.

Phytoliths, pollen, and spores in a stratigraphic sequence from the Shishan Wetland (Azraq Basin, Jordan) and supported by modern pollen and phytolith data provide information on vegetation, climatic trends, and the influence of fire through MIS 2 and MIS 1. Additionally, a pilot study introduces an innovative approach that uses shape and morphometric parameters of Bulliform phytoliths to assess hydro-climatic changes. The phytolith terrestrial–aquatic ratio, grass–pollen size, and the Artemisia–Amaranthaceae ratio (A:C) indicate that during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), the study area was a wetland surrounded by steppe, and that during the deglaciation period (c. 20–11 ka), the wetland vegetation remained almost unchanged but the surrounding area tended to aridity. The phytoliths’ terrestrial ratio, the presence of C₄ grass phytoliths, and the low A:C is characterized by a reduced wetland and the establishment of a hot desert, like the present. The record at Shishan Marsh shows effective moisture trends concurrent with other records in the western southern Levant, but climatic events (Heinrich Stadial 1 and Younger Dryas) are not recorded because of the low time-resolution of the studied sequence. This study shows that combining pollen and phytoliths strengthens vegetation reconstruction by discerning local from regional floristic components and that Bulliform phytoliths are a potential tool to reconstruct hydro-climatic conditions. Full article

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22 pages, 6999 KB

Open AccessArticle

Human Occupation of the Central Balkans During the Last Glacial Maximum: Evidence from Serbia

by Steven Kuhn, Dušan Mihailović, Slobodan Marković, Zoran M. Perić, Sofija Dragosavac, Marija Stojković and Mirjana Roksandic

Quaternary 2026, 9(1), 17; https://doi.org/10.3390/quat9010017 - 11 Feb 2026

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Abstract

This paper presents archeological data and chronometric dates documenting human presence in Serbia, central Balkans, during MIS 2. We describe findings from excavations at three cave sites and dating results from two additional localities. The evidence suggests that people were present in the [...] Read more.

This paper presents archeological data and chronometric dates documenting human presence in Serbia, central Balkans, during MIS 2. We describe findings from excavations at three cave sites and dating results from two additional localities. The evidence suggests that people were present in the area during the second half of the glacial peak between 25 and 19ka calBp. The chronological placement of these sites is complementary to what is known from adjoining regions, indicating that people may have occupied this part of the Balkans when they were not present elsewhere. All three excavated sites appear to represent short-term occupations, with relatively narrow ranges of activities, raising the question of whether they are fully representative of the land use system of foragers during MIS 2. Full article

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17 pages, 3982 KB

Open AccessArticle

Integrated Monitoring of Soil Radon Gas and Seismic Activity to Detect Volcanic Unrest at Mount Etna (Italy), 2023–2025

by Salvatore Giammanco, Vincenza Maiolino, Andrea Ursino, Marco Neri, Luca Frasca, Salvatore Roberto Maugeri, Filippo Murè and Paolo Principato

Quaternary 2026, 9(1), 16; https://doi.org/10.3390/quat9010016 - 10 Feb 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1602

Abstract

This work presents the results of an integrated monitoring of soil radon gas and seismic activity at Mt. Etna from August 2023 to May 2025, aimed at enhancing comprehension of magma migration and eruption dynamics. Radon data were collected using a permanent station [...] Read more.

This work presents the results of an integrated monitoring of soil radon gas and seismic activity at Mt. Etna from August 2023 to May 2025, aimed at enhancing comprehension of magma migration and eruption dynamics. Radon data were collected using a permanent station with an alpha particle probe, aggregated hourly. The INGV-OE network monitored seismic activity at 100 Hz; volcanic tremor was analyzed using Root-Mean-Square (RMS) values from the Serra La Nave station. Earthquakes were located using the Hypoellipse algorithm and a 1D crustal velocity model. A robust correlation was found between radon and RMS anomalies, with the former preceding the latter with increasing probability over time (e.g., 30.1% within 1 day, 46.4% within 3 days). Correlations were also found between radon anomalies and Strombolian activity at the summit craters (e.g., 23.8% within 1 day for the Central Crater), suggesting a potential predictive role for radon. Conversely, correlations with paroxysmal events were weaker in the short term but increased over longer time windows. No clear correlation was found between radon anomalies and seismic strain release, likely due to differing temporal resolutions. These results support the idea that radon plays a role as a short-term precursor in volcanic unrest. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Volcanic, Hydrothermal, and Tectonic Outgassing: Physical, Chemical and Isotopic Signatures)

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13 pages, 4653 KB

Open AccessArticle

First Find of Hippopotamus cf. amphibius in the Quaternary of Bosnia and Herzegovina: Notes on Its Regional Distribution

by Siniša Radović, Jadranka Mauch Lenardić, Dražen Japundžić, Jadranka Sulić Šprem and Vibor Novak

Quaternary 2026, 9(1), 15; https://doi.org/10.3390/quat9010015 - 9 Feb 2026

Viewed by 687

Abstract

The discovery of hippopotamid remain from a cave near the village of Grebci, Bosnia and Herzegovina, represents the first confirmed record of Hippopotamus in this part of southeastern Europe. The specimen, a partially preserved right os coxae, is housed at the Dubrovnik [...] Read more.

The discovery of hippopotamid remain from a cave near the village of Grebci, Bosnia and Herzegovina, represents the first confirmed record of Hippopotamus in this part of southeastern Europe. The specimen, a partially preserved right os coxae, is housed at the Dubrovnik Natural History Museum. Morphological and metric analyses identify it as Hippopotamus cf. amphibius, although its fragmentary state prevents a more precise taxonomic attribution, while lack of stratigraphic context prevents chronological assessment. Despite the uncertain stratigraphic context, taphonomic analysis reveals evidence of mineralization, surface abrasion, and post-depositional fracturing, consistent with long-term cave deposition. This find fills a long-standing paleogeographic gap in the distribution of the Pleistocene hippopotamids in southeastern Europe, as no remains have previously been documented from the region outside Greece. Its presence supports the hypothesis that the Balkan Peninsula functioned as a migratory corridor for hippopotamids dispersing from Africa into Europe. Further research integrating stratigraphic, geochronological, and comparative morphological data is needed to clarify its evolutionary and biogeographic significance. Full article

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18 pages, 3710 KB

Open AccessArticle

From Prey to Pattern: Integrating Faunal and Behavioural Evidence of Neanderthal Subsistence at Fumane Cave (Unit A9), Northern Italy

by Kalangi Rodrigo, Nicola Nannini, Vittorio Facincani, Matteo De Lorenzi and Marco Peresani

Quaternary 2026, 9(1), 14; https://doi.org/10.3390/quat9010014 - 9 Feb 2026

Viewed by 1208

Abstract

This study presents a zooarchaeological and taphonomic analysis of the previously unstudied component of the Mousterian faunal assemblage from Unit A9 at Grotta di Fumane (northeastern Italy), offering refined insights into Neanderthal subsistence behaviour during Marine Isotope Stage 3. Building on the previously [...] Read more.

This study presents a zooarchaeological and taphonomic analysis of the previously unstudied component of the Mousterian faunal assemblage from Unit A9 at Grotta di Fumane (northeastern Italy), offering refined insights into Neanderthal subsistence behaviour during Marine Isotope Stage 3. Building on the previously published analysis of the principal portion of the assemblage, the new data reaffirm a subsistence strategy focused on selective transport and intensive on-site processing of high-utility carcass components. The ungulate assemblage—dominated by Cervus elaphus and Capreolus capreolus, with additional contributions from Rupicapra rupicapra and Capra ibex—is characterised by the dominance of hindlimb elements, moderate cranial representation, and a pronounced scarcity of axial remains. These patterns indicate that carcass reduction commenced at kill sites, where low-yield trunk segments were removed, while high-nutritional-value limb portions were preferentially transported to the cave for secondary processing. Taphonomic indicators, including abundant cut marks, percussion notches, and extensive bone fragmentation, demonstrate systematic defleshing, marrow extraction, and possible grease rendering within the cave, activities that were spatially associated with combustion features. Occasional cranial transport suggests targeted acquisition of high-fat tissues such as brains and tongue, behaviour consistent with cold-climate optimisation strategies documented in both ethnographic and experimental contexts. Collectively, the evidence indicates that Unit A9 served as a residential locus embedded within a logistically organised mobility system, where carcass processing, resource exploitation, and lithic activities were closely integrated. These findings reinforce the broader picture of late Neanderthals as adaptable and behaviourally sophisticated foragers capable of strategic planning and efficient exploitation of ungulate prey within the dynamic environments of northern Italy. Full article

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32 pages, 16956 KB

Open AccessArticle

Formation and Cyclicity Patterns of Dust-Enriched Quaternary Sediment Archives on the Eastern Canary Islands

by Jakob Labahn, Dominik Faust, Thomas Kolb, Anja Maria Schleicher, Christina Günter, Carsten Marburg and Christopher-Bastian Roettig

Quaternary 2026, 9(1), 13; https://doi.org/10.3390/quat9010013 - 4 Feb 2026

Viewed by 822

Abstract

By its availability and deposition dust is a key indicator for past climate variability. Due to the location in the main North African dust corridor, the Canary Islands preserve dust deposits in different geoarchives—for instance in valleys dammed by Quaternary volcanism. These basins [...] Read more.

By its availability and deposition dust is a key indicator for past climate variability. Due to the location in the main North African dust corridor, the Canary Islands preserve dust deposits in different geoarchives—for instance in valleys dammed by Quaternary volcanism. These basins act as sediment traps for aeolian, volcanic, and slope-derived material, forming alternating pale, carbonate-enriched (PCLs) and reddish, clay-enriched layers (RCLs). However, the extent to which these sequences retain primary dust signals remains uncertain. We examine the interpretability of locally called vega sediments by disentangling input pathways, post-depositional processes, and geomorphological controls. Two sections on Lanzarote (Teguise, Femés) and the section Vallebrón (Fuerteventura) were investigated using grain-size analysis, XRF and XRD measurements, and IRSL dating. The sequences reveal two dust components: high-intensity dust fall events forming PCLs, and persistent finer dust input preserved in RCLs through kaolinite. Many PCLs originated as loess-like deposits subsequently modified by carbonate redistribution, while clay mineral transformations complicate provenance interpretation. Archive clarity varies with geomorphology, from less distinctly layered, patchy carbonate-enriched succession at Vallebrón to continuous cyclic sequences in Teguise. Overall, these basins preserve both episodic dust events and continuous fine-grained input, offering a valuable framework for reconstructing Late Quaternary dust dynamics. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue From Source to Sink: Sedimentary Archives and Its Palaeo-Environmental Implications During Quaternary)

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38 pages, 7809 KB

Open AccessArticle

On a New Theory of Climate Interference for Marine Isotope Stages/Substages and Glacial Terminations from Antarctica Ice-Core Records—1: Interference Model

by Paolo Viaggi

Quaternary 2026, 9(1), 12; https://doi.org/10.3390/quat9010012 - 2 Feb 2026

Viewed by 1076

Abstract

Variance-driven decomposition based on the singular spectrum analysis of the European Project for Ice Coring in Antarctica (EPICA) δD, CO₂, and CH₄ records allowed a novel quantitative structural interpretation of all glacial/interglacial cycles and glacial terminations of the last 800 [...] Read more.

Variance-driven decomposition based on the singular spectrum analysis of the European Project for Ice Coring in Antarctica (EPICA) δD, CO₂, and CH₄ records allowed a novel quantitative structural interpretation of all glacial/interglacial cycles and glacial terminations of the last 800 kyr. This bottom-up approach used the response components of EPICA stacked records to reconstruct the envelope of the thermal response through a physical interference model. The aim was to improve understanding of the intensity, amplitude, and asymmetry features of 73 marine isotope stages/substages (MISs) and seven glacial terminations. The Antarctic stack record can be described by a variance-weighted superposition of ten thermal waves of different origins (mid-term oscillation, orbitals, and suborbitals) that stochastically interfere at a given time according to their relative differences in frequency, amplitude, and polarity. Interglacial/glacial stages resulted from constructive interference and bipolar amplification of warming/cooling responses, respectively. The low-intensity MISs (including 90% of substages) and the unbiased-dated terminations fell in the low-interference regions, where dominant destructive patterns minimize the thermal envelope. The positive skewness of the EPICA stack resulted from constructive interference with a strong bias in the warming direction, especially after the Mid-Brunhes Event. Duration analysis of short eccentricity hemicycles exhibited an intrinsic unexpectedly prolonged mean cooling in the nominal solution (5.8 kyr) and its EPICA response as well (8.6 kyr), along with an interference-induced asymmetry (21.1 kyr). The overall effect has led to the saw-tooth shape of glacial cycles, which was strongly induced by interference. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Milankovitch Reviews)

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Graphical abstract

32 pages, 9041 KB

Open AccessArticle

Distribution Patterns and Conservation Planning of Paleontological Geosites: A Case Study from the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei Region, China

by Ying Guo, Yu Sun, Song Zhou, Xiaoying Han and Tian He

Quaternary 2026, 9(1), 11; https://doi.org/10.3390/quat9010011 - 2 Feb 2026

Viewed by 966

Abstract

China has made significant progress in paleontological heritage conservation. However, research and conservation efforts have predominantly focused on exquisitely preserved, movable specimens of high scientific value, leading to the relative neglect of in situ paleontological geosites which are critical for understanding fossil distribution [...] Read more.

China has made significant progress in paleontological heritage conservation. However, research and conservation efforts have predominantly focused on exquisitely preserved, movable specimens of high scientific value, leading to the relative neglect of in situ paleontological geosites which are critical for understanding fossil distribution patterns. To address this gap, this study employs a GIS approach to conduct a multifaceted spatial analysis of paleontological geosites in the BTH region as a representative case study. Our results reveal a pronounced spatiotemporal imbalance in the distribution of these geosites. Furthermore, their spatial configuration exhibits significant correlations with key physiographic factors—including elevation, stratigraphic distribution, and slope—as well as socioeconomic indicators such as population density, GDP density, and fiscal self-reliance ratio. This uneven distribution creates substantial conservation challenges, resulting in fragmented governance, a mismatch between local conservation capacities and needs, and potential biases in protection priorities toward specific regions or geological periods. In the BTH region, the distribution patterns of paleontological geosites are jointly shaped by physiographic, socioeconomic, and anthropogenic process factors. Elucidating the relationships between these drivers and the spatial distribution of geosites constitutes a critical foundation for advancing their scientific conservation and sustainable management. Drawing on broader interdisciplinary insights, currently peripheral paleontological heritage can be further transformed into strategic and sustainable resources. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Geoheritage and Geoconservation of Quaternary Geosites)

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9 pages, 253 KB

Open AccessComment

Comment on Makó et al. Examination of Age-Depth Models Through Loess-Paleosol Sections in the Carpathian Basin. Quaternary 2025, 8, 55

by Zoran M. Perić, Milica G. Bosnić, Rastko S. Marković and Slobodan B. Marković

Quaternary 2026, 9(1), 10; https://doi.org/10.3390/quat9010010 - 30 Jan 2026

Viewed by 515

Abstract

This commentary re-evaluates the study by Makó et al. which reconstructs dust accumulation rates from loess–paleosol sequences in the Carpathian Basin. Several methodological and factual issues substantially limit the reliability of their interpretations. The study reports linear sedimentation rates (mm a⁻¹) [...] Read more.

This commentary re-evaluates the study by Makó et al. which reconstructs dust accumulation rates from loess–paleosol sequences in the Carpathian Basin. Several methodological and factual issues substantially limit the reliability of their interpretations. The study reports linear sedimentation rates (mm a⁻¹) as mass accumulation rates (MARs) without accounting for bulk density, rendering their values non-comparable with established MAR datasets. It also overlooks a documented systematic bias between ¹⁴C and luminescence-derived MARs which are shown to differ by a factor of nearly three in Perić et al., a directly relevant synthesis that is not cited. Furthermore, the conflation of distinct sites (Surduk and Veliki Surduk) and the incorrect attribution of the Surduk section’s location indicate errors in basic site metadata. Together, these issues suggest that the reported “high accumulation axis” may reflect methodological artefacts rather than genuine environmental gradients. Improved methodological transparency and consistency are essential for robust regional reconstructions. Full article

26 pages, 9363 KB

Open AccessArticle

Sedimentological and Ecological Controls on Heavy Metal Distributions in a Mediterranean Shallow Coastal Lake (Lake Ganzirri, Italy)

by Roberta Somma, Mohammadali Ghanadzadeh Yazdi, Majed Abyat, Raymart Keiser Manguerra, Salvatore Zaccaro, Antonella Cinzia Marra and Salvatore Giacobbe

Quaternary 2026, 9(1), 9; https://doi.org/10.3390/quat9010009 - 23 Jan 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 837

Abstract

Coastal lakes are highly vulnerable transitional systems in which sedimentological processes and benthic ecological conditions jointly control contaminant accumulation and preservation, particularly in densely urbanized settings. A robust understanding of the physical and ecological characteristics of bottom sediments is therefore essential for the [...] Read more.

Coastal lakes are highly vulnerable transitional systems in which sedimentological processes and benthic ecological conditions jointly control contaminant accumulation and preservation, particularly in densely urbanized settings. A robust understanding of the physical and ecological characteristics of bottom sediments is therefore essential for the correct interpretation of contaminant distributions, including those of potentially toxic metals. In this study, an integrated sedimentological–ecological approach was applied to Lake Ganzirri, a Mediterranean shallow coastal lake located in northeastern Sicily (Italy), where recent investigations have identified localized heavy metal anomalies in surface sediments. Sediment texture, petrographic and mineralogical composition, malacofaunal assemblages, and lake-floor morpho-bathymetry were systematically analysed using grain-size statistics, faunistic determinations, GIS-based spatial mapping, and bivariate and multivariate statistical methods. The modern lake bottom is dominated by bioclastic quartzo-lithic sands with low fine-grained fractions and variable but locally high contents of calcareous skeletal remains, mainly derived from molluscs. Sediments are texturally heterogeneous, consisting predominantly of coarse-grained sands with lenses of very coarse sand, along with gravel and subordinate medium-grained sands. Both sedimentological features and malacofaunal death assemblages indicate deposition under open-lagoon conditions characterized by brackish waters and relatively high hydrodynamic energy. Spatial comparison between sedimentological–ecological parameters and previously published heavy metal distributions reveals no significant correlations with metal hotspots. The generally low metal concentrations, mostly below regulatory threshold values, are interpreted as being favoured by the high permeability and mobility of coarse sediments and by energetic hydrodynamic conditions limiting fine-particle accumulation. Overall, the integration of sedimentological and ecological data provides a robust framework for interpreting contaminant patterns and offers valuable insights for the environmental assessment and management of vulnerable coastal lake systems, as well as for the understanding of modern lagoonal sedimentary processes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Past, Current and Future Processes in the Earth Critical Zone)

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24 pages, 7160 KB

Open AccessArticle

Climatic Drivers of Teak (Tectona grandis) Radial Growth with Emphasis on Soil Moisture Variability in Northern Chhattisgarh, Central India

by Deeksha, Santosh K. Shah, Nivedita Mehrotra and Munendra Singh

Quaternary 2026, 9(1), 8; https://doi.org/10.3390/quat9010008 - 20 Jan 2026

Viewed by 828

Abstract

A Dendrochronological study of teak (Tectona grandis) was conducted at two sites in northern Chhattisgarh, central India, and resulted in the development of two tree-ring width chronologies. We examined the relationships between tree-ring chronologies and gridded monthly and daily climate variables [...] Read more.

A Dendrochronological study of teak (Tectona grandis) was conducted at two sites in northern Chhattisgarh, central India, and resulted in the development of two tree-ring width chronologies. We examined the relationships between tree-ring chronologies and gridded monthly and daily climate variables (mean temperature, total precipitation and drought indices) as well as monthly soil moisture. We performed spatial correlations using monthly climate data and used the nearest climate grid point for daily climate correlations. Both chronologies showed negative correlations with temperature and positive correlations with soil moisture, rainfall, and drought indices. These relationships highlight the dominant role of soil moisture availability in influencing teak growth in the monsoon-dominated climate of Chhattisgarh. Based on this relationship, we reconstructed average soil moisture from February to October, extending the gridded soil moisture record by 62 years (1920–1981 CE). This reconstruction represents the first tree-ring-based long-term soil moisture record from central India. Our findings provide a comprehensive hydroclimatic perspective for a region lacking historical tree-ring data and demonstrate the potential of teak as a proxy for investigating long-term soil moisture variability. Further research using older samples from this species will enhance understanding of past climate variability and hydroclimatic changes in central India. Full article

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10 pages, 1223 KB

Open AccessBrief Report

On the Chronology of the Petralona Hominid

by Ioannis Liritzis

Quaternary 2026, 9(1), 7; https://doi.org/10.3390/quat9010007 - 16 Jan 2026

Viewed by 520

Abstract

The chronology of the Petralona hominid remains a key issue in European Middle Pleistocene paleoanthropology. The recent study by Falguères et al., which reports new U-series ages of approximately 300 ka for travertines associated with the Petralona cranium, provides an important opportunity to [...] Read more.

The chronology of the Petralona hominid remains a key issue in European Middle Pleistocene paleoanthropology. The recent study by Falguères et al., which reports new U-series ages of approximately 300 ka for travertines associated with the Petralona cranium, provides an important opportunity to reassess this long-standing debate. This commentary critically evaluates the strengths and limitations of that contribution, with particular attention to the treatment of analytical precision, geological uncertainties, and stratigraphic constraints inherent to speleothem dating. While the new data represent a valuable analytical advance and independently support a Middle Pleistocene age, the reported narrow error margins warrant cautious interpretation. When broader sources of uncertainty are considered, the results are best viewed as a confirmation rather than a fundamental revision of the established chronological framework. Overall, this commentary situates the findings of the new study within their broader methodological and historical context and underscores their significance for refining, but not redefining, the age and evolutionary placement of the Petralona hominid. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Feature Papers in Quaternary Research)

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32 pages, 17160 KB

Open AccessArticle

Pollen-YOLO: A Deep Learning Framework for Automated Pollen Identification and Its Application to Palaeoecological Reconstruction on the Tibetan Plateau

by Xuan Shi, Guangliang Hou, Fubo Wang and Hongyu Li

Quaternary 2026, 9(1), 6; https://doi.org/10.3390/quat9010006 - 14 Jan 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1002

Abstract

Automated pollen identification has become an increasingly important tool for palaeoecological research; however, its application to fossil pollen assemblages remains challenging due to complex backgrounds, morphological variability, and taxonomic similarity among pollen types. In this study, we propose Pollen-YOLO, a deep learning-based object [...] Read more.

Automated pollen identification has become an increasingly important tool for palaeoecological research; however, its application to fossil pollen assemblages remains challenging due to complex backgrounds, morphological variability, and taxonomic similarity among pollen types. In this study, we propose Pollen-YOLO, a deep learning-based object detection framework designed for automated pollen identification from microscopic images, and evaluate its performance using the TPPOL23 dataset. The model integrates a tailored backbone architecture with attention-based feature enhancement and class-specific data augmentation strategies to address the characteristics of fossil pollen images. Experimental results indicate that Pollen-YOLO achieves stable and competitive detection performance for most pollen taxa under the tested conditions, particularly for dominant taxa with distinctive morphological features. Model behavior is further examined through ablation experiments and Grad-CAM-based interpretability analysis, which provide insights into feature learning and classification mechanisms. The applicability of the framework is explored using a fossil pollen sequence from the Shaqu profile on the Tibetan Plateau. Automated results show a high level of agreement with manual identification in capturing major stratigraphic trends and vegetation succession patterns, while discrepancies persist for morphologically similar or low-abundance taxa. Overall, this study suggests that object detection-based deep learning approaches have the potential to support fossil pollen analysis and palaeoecological reconstruction. Rather than replacing expert identification, Pollen-YOLO is intended as a complementary, high-throughput tool that may assist large-scale pollen analysis under appropriate quality control when combined with expert verification. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Changes and Their Significance for Sustainability)

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15 pages, 3559 KB

Open AccessReview

Southern Iberian Rock Art: The Territory That Holds the Clues to Decipher the Whole Symbolic Path of Humanity

by Guadalupe Monge, María Isabel Carretero and Francisco Ruíz

Quaternary 2026, 9(1), 5; https://doi.org/10.3390/quat9010005 - 7 Jan 2026

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Abstract

This article reviews key data in the context of the Strait of Gibraltar from the Iberian perspective: a region of significant importance that boasts the highest concentration of rock art sites containing prehistoric paintings and engravings spanning the full spectrum of human rock [...] Read more.

This article reviews key data in the context of the Strait of Gibraltar from the Iberian perspective: a region of significant importance that boasts the highest concentration of rock art sites containing prehistoric paintings and engravings spanning the full spectrum of human rock art, from its inception to the recent historic period. This area is of exceptional value for investigating the replacement of hunter–gatherer–fisher groups by tribal community societies over time, as well as the transition from Neanderthals to Homo sapiens on both sides of the Strait. Current understanding of this resource is analysed and the main threats to it are addressed alongside possible solutions. Full article

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16 pages, 3165 KB

Open AccessArticle

Combining GPR and VES Techniques for Detecting Shallow Urban Cavities in Quaternary Deposits: Case Studies from Sefrou and Bhalil, Morocco

by Oussama Jabrane, Ilias Obda, Driss El Azzab, Pedro Martínez-Pagán, Mohammed Jalal Tazi and Mimoun Chourak

Quaternary 2026, 9(1), 4; https://doi.org/10.3390/quat9010004 - 6 Jan 2026

Viewed by 890

Abstract

The detection of underground cavities and dissolution features is a critical component in assessing geohazards within karst terrains, particularly where natural processes interact with long-term human occupation. This study investigates two contrasting sites in the Sefrou region of northern Morocco: Binna, a rural [...] Read more.

The detection of underground cavities and dissolution features is a critical component in assessing geohazards within karst terrains, particularly where natural processes interact with long-term human occupation. This study investigates two contrasting sites in the Sefrou region of northern Morocco: Binna, a rural travertine-dolomite system shaped by Quaternary karstification, and the urban Old Medina of Bhalil, where traditional cave dwellings are carved into carbonate formations. A combined geophysical and geological approach was applied to characterize subsurface heterogeneities and assess the extent of near-surface void development. Vertical electrical soundings (VES) at Binna site delineated high-resistivity anomalies consistent with air-filled cavities, dissolution conduits, and brecciated limestone horizons, all indicative of an active karst system. In the Bhalil old Medina site, ground-penetrating radar (GPR) with low-frequency antennas revealed strong reflection contrasts and localized signal attenuation zones corresponding to shallow natural cavities and potential anthropogenic excavations beneath densely constructed areas. Geological observations, including lithostratigraphic logging and structural cross-sections, provided additional constraints on cavity geometry, depth, and spatial distribution. The integrated results highlight a high degree of subsurface karstification across both sites and underscore the associated geotechnical risks for infrastructure, cultural heritage, and land-use stability. This work demonstrates the value of combining electrical and radar methods with geological analysis for mapping hazardous subsurface voids in cavity-prone Quaternary landscapes, offering essential insights for risk mitigation and sustainable urban and rural planning. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Changes and Their Significance for Sustainability)

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28 pages, 7126 KB

Open AccessArticle

Bioarchaeological Indicators for Human–Environmental Interactions in Late Iron Age Settlements (4th–3rd Centuries BC) from Central Dobruja (Romania)

by Margareta-Simina Stanc, Petre-Ionuț Colțeanu, Mihaela Danu, Eliza-Ioana Crețu, Mariana Popovici, Patrizia-Nancy Bejenaru and Luminița Bejenaru

Quaternary 2026, 9(1), 3; https://doi.org/10.3390/quat9010003 - 1 Jan 2026

Viewed by 1052

Abstract

The Lower Danube region represents a long-standing zone of interaction between indigenous communities, mobile pastoral populations, and Mediterranean colonial networks. During the Late Iron Age, such contexts have frequently been interpreted through culture-historical frameworks that emphasise socio-economic differentiation among coexisting populations. This study [...] Read more.

The Lower Danube region represents a long-standing zone of interaction between indigenous communities, mobile pastoral populations, and Mediterranean colonial networks. During the Late Iron Age, such contexts have frequently been interpreted through culture-historical frameworks that emphasise socio-economic differentiation among coexisting populations. This study examines whether communities traditionally described in culturally or economically differentiated terms can instead be understood as functionally diverse social entities responding to shared environmental conditions. Three Late Iron Age (4th–3rd centuries BC) settlements from Central Dobruja (Romania), Medgidia Hellenistic 1, 2, and 3, were investigated using an integrated bioarchaeological approach combining archaeozoological and phytolith analyses. The sites are situated along a major communication corridor linking the Danube with the western Black Sea coast, colonised by the Greeks at that time. Faunal assemblages are dominated by domestic mammals, particularly cattle, caprine, and horses, indicating a pastoral economy structured around livestock management, secondary product exploitation, and varying degrees of mobility. Phytolith assemblages reveal a strong cereal signal alongside evidence for grassland exploitation, woody resource use, and wetland vegetation, reflecting mixed agro-pastoral practices embedded within a heterogeneous landscape. Taken together, the results suggest that Getae and Scythian-associated populations did not represent temporally or hierarchically differentiated socio-economic stages, but rather coexisting communities characterised by complementary subsistence practices, shaped by mobility, seasonality, and regional connectivity. This study highlights the value of bioarchaeological evidence for refining interpretations of cultural interaction and adaptive strategies in Late Iron Age Europe. Full article

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54 pages, 3188 KB

Open AccessArticle

Possible Coevolution of Vampire Bats (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae: Desmodus) and Large Xenarthrans (Cingulata, Pilosa) in North America and South America During the Quaternary

by Gary Morgan, H. Gregory McDonald and Nicholas J. Czaplewski

Quaternary 2026, 9(1), 2; https://doi.org/10.3390/quat9010002 - 24 Dec 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2256

Abstract

Vampire bats likely first appeared in South America in the early Miocene (~20 Ma) and evolved to feed upon the blood of native South American mammals of medium to large body size, in particular, xenarthrans–ground sloths, armadillos, pampatheres, and glyptodonts, and native ungulates–notoungulates [...] Read more.

Vampire bats likely first appeared in South America in the early Miocene (~20 Ma) and evolved to feed upon the blood of native South American mammals of medium to large body size, in particular, xenarthrans–ground sloths, armadillos, pampatheres, and glyptodonts, and native ungulates–notoungulates and litopterns. Following the formation of the Panamanian Isthmus (~5 Ma), vampire bats immigrated into North America as participants in the Great American Biotic Interchange, following their preferred prey species, probably xenarthrans. The earliest records of vampire bats are the extinct species Desmodus archaeodaptes from three early Pleistocene faunas in Florida. The large extinct vampire D. stocki occurs in 18 late Pleistocene faunas in the southern US and Mexico. The giant extinct vampire D. draculae is known from eight late Pleistocene faunas from Mexico and Belize south to Brazil and Argentina. The late Pleistocene extinction of D. draculae and D. stocki coincided with the extinction of their primary source of blood, the mammalian megafauna. The common vampire bat D. rotundus survived and now occurs throughout tropical America because it had a broader prey base, feeding on the blood of a variety of medium- to large-sized mammals, and currently preying preferentially on non-native domestic livestock. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Paleoecology, Evolution, Biogeography and Systematics of Quaternary Mammals)

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Open AccessArticle

Early–Middle Holocene Evolution of Lake Ice Cover Duration in Northeast China

by Zeyang Zhu, Jing Wu, Luo Wang, Guoqiang Chu and Jiaqi Liu

Quaternary 2026, 9(1), 1; https://doi.org/10.3390/quat9010001 - 23 Dec 2025

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Abstract

Seasonal temperature reconstructions provide a critical approach for reconciling discrepancies between paleoclimate model simulations and proxy records. However, cold-season temperature variations remain poorly constrained due to the scarcity of robust cold-season temperature proxies. This study provides critical insights into lake ice-covered season temperature [...] Read more.

Seasonal temperature reconstructions provide a critical approach for reconciling discrepancies between paleoclimate model simulations and proxy records. However, cold-season temperature variations remain poorly constrained due to the scarcity of robust cold-season temperature proxies. This study provides critical insights into lake ice-covered season temperature dynamics in Northeast China, a region where cold-season climate variability has remained poorly constrained in paleoclimate reconstructions. We collected total organic carbon sequences from seven closed lakes in Northeast China over the last 10,000 years to evaluate the lake ice cover duration as a proxy for lake ice-covered season temperature during the early–middle Holocene. Our results show that the lake ice cover duration decreased from ~8 ka BP, reaching a minimum at around 4 ka BP. This pattern is linked to ice-covered season temperature changes, with warmer ice-covered seasons leading to shorter ice cover durations and increased lake productivity, which were driven by orbital forcing (seasonal insolation changes) and greenhouse gas concentrations. Orbital forcing played a dominant role in winter warming between 8 and 4 ka BP, while greenhouse gas also contributed, but to a lesser extent. Full article

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Quaternary, Volume 9, Issue 1 (February 2026) – 18 articles

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