Wadi Bakht revisited: Holocene climate change and prehistoric occupation in the Gilf Kebir region of the Eastern Sahara, SW Egypt

摘要: Geoarchaeological and chronological evidence from the remote Gilf Kebir Plateau in southwest Egypt suggests a new model for influence of early mid-Holocene precipitation regimes on land-use strategies prehistoric settlers what is now center largest hyperarid area earth. We hypothesize that quantitatively higher, daytime, monsoon summer rainfall characteristic Holocene (9300–5400 14C yr B.P./8400–4300 B.C.) resulted less grass growth plateau compared to winter rains presumably fell cool nights during terminal phase pluvial (5400–4500 B.P./4300–3300 B.C.). The unparalleled climatic transition at 5400 B.P. (4300 caused fundamental environmental change different patterns human behavior, economy, land use canyon-like valleys plains surrounding plateau. emphasizes crucial impact seasonal distribution cultural landscapes arid regions lower significance annual rates, with implications future numeric climate models. It also serves as an example how past changes have affected societies. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.