Closed depressions in the prehistoric loess landscape and their influence on settlement location, in the light of selected examples from the Nałęczów Plateau (Lublin Upland, E Poland)

il. ; 24 cm

ill. ; 24 cm

Closed depressions are a characteristic element of the loess plateau landscape. During spring snowmelt or prolonged rainfall, these landforms are filled with water that may remain for many weeks. In the primary Eo- and Mezoholocene forest landscape of the Nałęczów Plateau, these closed depressions were waterless but during the Neolithic, their function in the landscape changed andthey periodically retained water. This phenomenon was triggered by the changes in hydrology induced by Neolithic farming practices and deforestation. These periodically water-filled closed depressions became a permanent element of the Neolithic cultural landscape of the Nałęczów Plateau, with some of them determining settlement in the Neolithic and subsequent periods. This is demonstrated by spatial analysis of patterns in the distribution of archaeological sites and closed depressions on the Nałęczów Plateau and by comprehensive investigations at two sites in their vicinity. The availability of water, periodically retained in these landforms, ensured their importance for settlement