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Mid- to late Holocene cooling events in the Korean Peninsula and their possible impact on ancient societies

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 March 2019

Mark Constantine ,
Minkoo Kim  and
Jungjae Park
Mark Constantine
Affiliation:
Department of Geography, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 151-742, Republic of Korea
Minkoo Kim
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, Chonnam National University, 77 Yongbong-ro, Buk-gu, Gwangju 61186, Republic of Korea
Jungjae Park*
Affiliation:
Department of Geography, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 151-742, Republic of Korea Institute for Korean Regional Studies, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
*
*Corresponding author e-mail address: jungjaep@snu.ac.kr
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Abstract

We present a multiproxy record using pollen, magnetic susceptibility, carbon isotopic composition, carbon/nitrogen ratio, and particle size of mid- to late Holocene environmental changes based on a sediment core from the Pomaeho lagoon on the east coast of Korea. The records indicate that climate deteriorations around 6400 cal yr BP and 4000 cal yr BP caused rapid vegetation changes in the study area, which were presumably attributable to low sunspot activity and strong El Niño–like conditions, respectively. These two cooling events were likely modulated by different climate mechanisms, as El Niño–Southern Oscillation activity began to strengthen around 5000 cal yr BP. These events may have had a substantial impact on ancient societies in the study area. Combining our results with archaeological findings indicated that climate deterioration led to drastic declines in local populations around 6400 cal yr BP, 4400 cal yr BP, and 4000 cal yr BP. Because of its high population, coastal East Asia (e.g., eastern China, Japan, and Korea) is particularly vulnerable to potential cooling events in the future. Therefore, there is a strong need for detailed paleoclimate information in this region.

Keywords

Ancient societiesCooling eventsHoloceneKoreaVegetation
Type
Research Article
Information
Quaternary Research , Volume 92 , Issue 1 , July 2019 , pp. 98 - 108
Copyright
Copyright © University of Washington. Published by Cambridge University Press, 2019 

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