Geomorphologic arguments for Mid- to Late Holocene environmental change in central Anatolian (pluvial) lake basins

Abstract

In the interior of the Anatolian Peninsula several shallow swampy lakes occupy the floors of former Pleistocene basins. Traces of emerged abandoned coastlines enable recognition of several developmental phases of the lakes. The Late Pleistocene and Mid-Holocene segments of the basins are covered with fertile farmland, occupied by ancient villages dating mostly from Early Bronze Age. They have concentric fields and radial road patterns centered at old mounds (hoyuks). The lake floors of Late Holocene age are occupied by less fertile salty soil and at times flooded. Dunes developed in these sections in Konya-Karapinar and Sultan Lake areas. This author concludes that the different character of the Middle and the Late Holocene deposits indicates a drying phase in the early part of the Late Holocene.