Palaeoecological reconstruction of wetlands and Eneolithic land use in Ljubljansko barje (Slovenia) based on biomorphic and pollen analysis

The palaeoecological study, presented in this paper, investigates the biomorphic (phytoliths and other biological microfossils), loss-on-ignition and pollen records in the sedimentary sequence of the Blatna Brezovica Eneolithic settlement (Ljubljansko barje, Slovenia, ca.3100 cal B.C.). At the beginning of the 4th millennium cal B.C., the study site was covered by a freshwater lake, surrounded by a broadleaved Quercus–Fagus forest. In subsequent centuries, people settled at the Blatna Brezovica location, albeit the hydrological conditions remained wet and the archaeological settlement was likely located in the vicinity of a river. People living at Blatna Brezovica constructed wooden houses, whereas Phragmites plants were likely used for roofs and/or bedding. Eventually, the landscape became more open due to agriculture (Hordeum cultivation) and grazing. After the abandonment of the settlement at the end of the 4th millennium cal B.C., hydrological conditions became drier, marsh formed at the study site, and predominantly Abies forest grew around the basin.