AMS 14C measurements and macrofossil analyses of a varved sequence near Pudozh, eastern Karelia, NW Russia

The laminated sediments at Pudozh in eastern Karelia are generally assumed to have been deposited between 13000 and 16000 C-14 yr BP and have been used to date the recession of the active ice margin. However, 17 AMS C-14 measurements performed on terrestrial plant macrofossils contained in these sediments show that deposition began during the late Allerod, when the ice margin had already receded to the northern part of Lake Onega. Based on an age model, we assume that the 1933-year-long varved sequence covers the time period between c, 12900 and 11000 calendar years BP. During this period, which comprises the later part of the Late Weichselian and the early Holocene, the local vegetation consisted of open, tree-less dwarf shrub heaths. Increased soil erosion may have occurred before 12550 calendar years BP.