Large-scale aeolian sand movement on the west coast of Jutland, Denmark in late Subboreal to early Subatlantic time—a record of climate change or cultural impact?

Abstract

Holocene dunefield construction on the west coast of Jutland was episodic. One of the most intense phases of inland sand movement and dunefield construction took place in late Subboreal to early Subatlantic time. Evidence from optically stimulated luminescence dating supplemented by radiocarbon dating and/or archaeological data from four different dunefields places the onset of this important phase of aeolian activity to about 700 BC and indicates that sand movement continued for up to 700 years before the dunefields were stabilized. The onset of this phase of dunefield construction may be related to an abrupt climatic change in the North Atlantic region at about 800 BC and a likely increase in storminess. The coastal landscapes of western Jutland were nearly treeless at the end of Subboreal time promoting large-scale aeolian sand movement.

Keywords:

• Aeolian
• dunefield
• climate change
• luminescence dating
• Jutland
• Holocene