Reconstructing Ancient Human-Climate Interactions: Paleoclimatic Evidence from the Amuq Valley

The interaction between humans and climate has been a main focus of research in recent years, with many studies relying on contemporary data and modeling approaches. However, understanding the dynamics of this interaction over long timescales necessitates the integration of paleoclimate records with archaeological data. Paleoclimate records provide a window into the Earth's long-term climatic fluctuations, while archaeological evidence offers insights into human responses to these changes. The Amuq Valley is an exceptional study area for investigating these interactions, as it features a rich dataset derived from systematic archaeological research and hosts two lakes that serve as natural archives of climatic changes. This study utilizes a combination of paleoclimatic proxies, including isotopic, mineralogical, and geochemical analyses, magnetic susceptibility measurements, and radiocarbon dating, to investigate sedimentological records of paleoclimatic fluctuations and identify significant drought episodes, specifically the 8.2 ka, 5.2 ka, 4.2 ka, and 3.2 ka events. For this purpose, a total of 206.2 meters of undisturbed sediment cores were collected from Amuq and Toprakhisar Lakes and adjacent floodplain deposits near the archaeological sites of Tell Aççana, Tell Tayinat, and Tell Kurdu. These cores, ranging in length from 7 to 20 meters, provide a valuable archive of environmental changes in the region. Magnetic susceptibility (MS) measurements were performed on the split cores with a Bartington MSE2 surface device, offering initial insights into variations in sediment composition and environmental conditions. Selected cores underwent further detailed analyses. Geochemical properties were assessed using ITRAX micro XRF scanning and ICP-MS/ICP-OES techniques, enabling high-resolution identification of elemental compositions. Additionally, mineralogical assessments were conducted with X-ray diffraction (XRD) to identify changes in sediment composition related to climatic variability. A robust chronological framework was established using radiocarbon (14C) dating of microcharcoal samples extracted from the sediments. This approach allowed for precise dating of sedimentary layers, facilitating the correlation of environmental changes with known climatic events. The study focuses on the durations and characteristics of key drought episodes, specifically those occurring at 3.2 ka, 4.2 ka, 5.2 ka, and 8.2 ka, as inferred from sedimentary evidence. By combining sedimentological, geochemical, and chronological data, this research aims to enhance our understanding of paleoclimatic variability and its implications for human societies in the region. The findings contribute to broader discussions on how ancient communities demonstrated resilience and adapted to climatic stress, providing valuable insights for tackling contemporary environmental challenges.