The medieval peat layer of the Fossa Carolina - Evidence for bridging the Central European Watershed or climate control ?

Climatic signals in geomorphological systems

Auteur(s) et Affiliation(s)



Description :
The construction of the canal, that is known as Fossa Carolina (Karlsgraben), is representing the first attempt to bridge the Central European Watershed and is, therefore, one of the most important early medieval engineering achievements in Europe. Despite the important geostrategic relevance of the construction it is not clarified if the canal was ever used as a working waterway. In this study the AA. present new C data from the continuous and buried peat layer of the central part of the fosse. The C data document peat growth during Carolingian times and especially during the High Medieval. Both phases of peat growth might support by a more humid climate with an enhanced groundwater table. Multiple high-resolution stratigraphic records of the central trench fillings derived from grain size distributions and from peat and sapropel classifications indicate for the first time clear evidence for a limnic facies, suggesting the existence of former ponds. However, the majority of these limnic facies reveal High Medieval ages. This ongoing study does not prove the use of the fosse as a canal during Carolingian times yet.


Type de document :
Article de monographie

Source :
Zeitschrift für Geomorphologie, issn : 0372-8854, 2014, vol. 58, n°. 1, Supl., p. 189-209, nombre de pages : 21, Références bibliographiques : 28 ref.

Date :
2014

Editeur :
Pays édition : Allemagne, Stuttgart, Gebruder Borntraeger