This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the ad... more This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the addition of a cover page and metadata, and formatting for readability, but it is not yet the definitive version of record. This version will undergo additional copyediting, typesetting and review before it is published in its final form, but we are providing this version to give early visibility of the article. Please note that, during the production process, errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain.
The Dead Sea Transform (DST) accounts for ~105 km of left-lateral slip between the Arabian plate ... more The Dead Sea Transform (DST) accounts for ~105 km of left-lateral slip between the Arabian plate and the Sinai subplate since the Miocene. Paleoseismic studies along the Arava Valley segment of the DST suggest that late Quaternary deformation has been primarily concentrated along the axis of the transform valley. Here, we examine late Quaternary changes in drainage system characteristics and attribute them to recent tectonic deformation in this region. Field-based geomorphic mapping, topographic cross sections, and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating of fluvial deposits were used to map and date recent changes in the fluvial characteristics of catchments along the western margin of the southern Arava. Our results reveal coeval migration of channels, consistent with tectonically induced surface tilting caused by north–south compressional deformation along the western margin of the transform valley. OSL dating indicates this tilting was initiated in the late Pleistocene and continued at least into the mid-Holocene. The late Quaternary tectonic deformation along the southern Arava segment of the DST is distributed across a wider zone than previously considered and extends out to the margins of the transform valley. We associate the inferred wider deformation zone to possible changes in the geometry of motion along the DST.
Optical dating of earthquake related sediments were investigated including one modern sample and ... more Optical dating of earthquake related sediments were investigated including one modern sample and three samples from a trench excavated across the 1985 Ms7.4 Wuqia Earthquake surface rupture. The results indicated that equivalent dose (D e ) values vary with grain size and the method used for D e determination. The residual dose of the modern sample is 0.1 ka (0.2 +0.2 -0.1 Gy) for the quartz single grain measurements. Only 1.5-3.6% of the grains have a detectable OSL signal. Single grain quartz ages are similar to the expected ages. Fine grain quartz results overestimate the D e values and are much older than single grain quartz and coarse grain quartz small aliquot standardized growth curve (SA-SGC) ages. Single grain quartz OSL dating may be optimal for dating earthquake related deposits, but SA-SGC can save measurement time and has potential for dating some poorly bleaching samples.
The Amazonia biome hosts upland closed and open vegetation ecosystems, in which the current bioge... more The Amazonia biome hosts upland closed and open vegetation ecosystems, in which the current biogeographical patterns relate to the evolution of the physical landscape. Therefore, understanding the origin and timing of the substrates supporting different ecosystems is indispensable for better comprehension of Amazonian biogeography. Here we used quartz optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) and thermally transferred optically stimulated luminescence (TT-OSL) for dating sandy substrates of closed and open vegetation environments in Central and Eastern Amazonia, from both outcrop and drill core samples (Autazes core: PBAT-15-43). These sandy substrates present ages ranging from 1 ka up to almost 2 Ma, that were primarily interpreted as depositional ages of fluvial terraces. Moreover, ages are discussed in terms of potential geomorphic processes leading to the formation of substrates, such as soil mixing and apparent age of quartz from the parent bedrock. The coupling between OSL and T...
Interpretation of fault slip‐rates inferred from tectonically offset fluvial landforms is often l... more Interpretation of fault slip‐rates inferred from tectonically offset fluvial landforms is often limited by uncertainties associated with difficulties to explicitly date fluvial incision across the fault. Here, we employed morphology‐based modeling to ameliorate this universal dating limitation for gullies that were differentially offset in a sinistral sense across the Altyn Tagh Fault near its eastern termination at ∼97°E. Using a stream‐power erosion model with locally calibrated coefficients we calculated across‐fault gully incision ages that decrease with offset magnitude, are up to threefold younger than the age of the terrace they incised and all‐together point toward time‐invariant slip. Luminescence dating of offset alluvial terraces at the same site suggests constant sinistral slip at 0.5 ± 0.1 mm/yr since 52 ± 4 ka. Our results suggest that the most juvenile phase of northeastward Pleistocene expansion of the Tibetan Plateau into previously stable parts of central Asia is m...
<p>Quartz grains are resistant minerals and abundant on Earth&#180;s surface. They have... more <p>Quartz grains are resistant minerals and abundant on Earth&#180;s surface. They have been extensively used for optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating of Quaternary sediments from a large range of depositional environments. Recently, it has been demonstrated that the luminescence properties of the quartz can also be a useful tool for provenance analysis, because of the signal properties inherited from its parent rock, weathering conditions, and depositional history (i.e. cycles of erosion, transport, and deposition). These provenance studies are based on the OSL sensitivity (i.e. the light emitted per unit mass per radiation dose) of the first second of the luminesce signal of the quartz, using relatively fast and low-cost measurements. Since laboratories worldwide already have an extensive database with results of quartz signals primarily measured for dating studies, these data could potentially be repurposed for sensitivity analysis.</p><p>Here, we investigate the use of OSL quartz signals, originally measured for dating, for now characterizing the quartz OSL sensitivity and their usefulness for provenance analysis. The samples we studied are from Amazon fluvial systems: two Holocene endmembers from the Xingu and Solim&#245;es rivers, representatives of cratonic and Andean sediment sources, respectively, and a Pleistocene sample from I&#231;&#225; Formation, a paleo-fluvial system whose provenance is not fully known. First, we evaluate our approach by calculating the OSL quartz sensitivity of all quartz signals (i.e. signals derived from the natural, regenerative, and test doses) measured in a dating sequence with the Single Aliquot Regenerative dose (SAR) protocol. Such analysis gives the basis for deciding which signal, if any, should be prioritized for sensitivity calculation. Then, we compare the OSL sensitivities derived from quartz signals measured using the conventional sensitivity protocol with those measured by the conventional dating protocol. Finally, we deduce the sediment source of the Pleistocene I&#231;&#225; Formation based on the modern analogues (the Holocene endmembers).</p><p>Our preliminary results show that: it is feasible to use data from dating sequences for sensitivity calculation; OSL quartz signal derived from the natural test doses (L<sub>n</sub>) is the best candidate for sensitivity calculation; the sensitivities provided by our approach are slightly larger than those calculated using the conventional sensitivity protocol; and, the Pleistocene I&#231;&#225; Formation represents a mixed-source (Andean and Cratonic), which is different from the presumed modern analogue represented by the Solim&#245;es river, which is dominated by Andean sediments.</p>
This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the ad... more This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the addition of a cover page and metadata, and formatting for readability, but it is not yet the definitive version of record. This version will undergo additional copyediting, typesetting and review before it is published in its final form, but we are providing this version to give early visibility of the article. Please note that, during the production process, errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain.
The Dead Sea Transform (DST) accounts for ~105 km of left-lateral slip between the Arabian plate ... more The Dead Sea Transform (DST) accounts for ~105 km of left-lateral slip between the Arabian plate and the Sinai subplate since the Miocene. Paleoseismic studies along the Arava Valley segment of the DST suggest that late Quaternary deformation has been primarily concentrated along the axis of the transform valley. Here, we examine late Quaternary changes in drainage system characteristics and attribute them to recent tectonic deformation in this region. Field-based geomorphic mapping, topographic cross sections, and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating of fluvial deposits were used to map and date recent changes in the fluvial characteristics of catchments along the western margin of the southern Arava. Our results reveal coeval migration of channels, consistent with tectonically induced surface tilting caused by north–south compressional deformation along the western margin of the transform valley. OSL dating indicates this tilting was initiated in the late Pleistocene and continued at least into the mid-Holocene. The late Quaternary tectonic deformation along the southern Arava segment of the DST is distributed across a wider zone than previously considered and extends out to the margins of the transform valley. We associate the inferred wider deformation zone to possible changes in the geometry of motion along the DST.
Optical dating of earthquake related sediments were investigated including one modern sample and ... more Optical dating of earthquake related sediments were investigated including one modern sample and three samples from a trench excavated across the 1985 Ms7.4 Wuqia Earthquake surface rupture. The results indicated that equivalent dose (D e ) values vary with grain size and the method used for D e determination. The residual dose of the modern sample is 0.1 ka (0.2 +0.2 -0.1 Gy) for the quartz single grain measurements. Only 1.5-3.6% of the grains have a detectable OSL signal. Single grain quartz ages are similar to the expected ages. Fine grain quartz results overestimate the D e values and are much older than single grain quartz and coarse grain quartz small aliquot standardized growth curve (SA-SGC) ages. Single grain quartz OSL dating may be optimal for dating earthquake related deposits, but SA-SGC can save measurement time and has potential for dating some poorly bleaching samples.
The Amazonia biome hosts upland closed and open vegetation ecosystems, in which the current bioge... more The Amazonia biome hosts upland closed and open vegetation ecosystems, in which the current biogeographical patterns relate to the evolution of the physical landscape. Therefore, understanding the origin and timing of the substrates supporting different ecosystems is indispensable for better comprehension of Amazonian biogeography. Here we used quartz optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) and thermally transferred optically stimulated luminescence (TT-OSL) for dating sandy substrates of closed and open vegetation environments in Central and Eastern Amazonia, from both outcrop and drill core samples (Autazes core: PBAT-15-43). These sandy substrates present ages ranging from 1 ka up to almost 2 Ma, that were primarily interpreted as depositional ages of fluvial terraces. Moreover, ages are discussed in terms of potential geomorphic processes leading to the formation of substrates, such as soil mixing and apparent age of quartz from the parent bedrock. The coupling between OSL and T...
Interpretation of fault slip‐rates inferred from tectonically offset fluvial landforms is often l... more Interpretation of fault slip‐rates inferred from tectonically offset fluvial landforms is often limited by uncertainties associated with difficulties to explicitly date fluvial incision across the fault. Here, we employed morphology‐based modeling to ameliorate this universal dating limitation for gullies that were differentially offset in a sinistral sense across the Altyn Tagh Fault near its eastern termination at ∼97°E. Using a stream‐power erosion model with locally calibrated coefficients we calculated across‐fault gully incision ages that decrease with offset magnitude, are up to threefold younger than the age of the terrace they incised and all‐together point toward time‐invariant slip. Luminescence dating of offset alluvial terraces at the same site suggests constant sinistral slip at 0.5 ± 0.1 mm/yr since 52 ± 4 ka. Our results suggest that the most juvenile phase of northeastward Pleistocene expansion of the Tibetan Plateau into previously stable parts of central Asia is m...
<p>Quartz grains are resistant minerals and abundant on Earth&#180;s surface. They have... more <p>Quartz grains are resistant minerals and abundant on Earth&#180;s surface. They have been extensively used for optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating of Quaternary sediments from a large range of depositional environments. Recently, it has been demonstrated that the luminescence properties of the quartz can also be a useful tool for provenance analysis, because of the signal properties inherited from its parent rock, weathering conditions, and depositional history (i.e. cycles of erosion, transport, and deposition). These provenance studies are based on the OSL sensitivity (i.e. the light emitted per unit mass per radiation dose) of the first second of the luminesce signal of the quartz, using relatively fast and low-cost measurements. Since laboratories worldwide already have an extensive database with results of quartz signals primarily measured for dating studies, these data could potentially be repurposed for sensitivity analysis.</p><p>Here, we investigate the use of OSL quartz signals, originally measured for dating, for now characterizing the quartz OSL sensitivity and their usefulness for provenance analysis. The samples we studied are from Amazon fluvial systems: two Holocene endmembers from the Xingu and Solim&#245;es rivers, representatives of cratonic and Andean sediment sources, respectively, and a Pleistocene sample from I&#231;&#225; Formation, a paleo-fluvial system whose provenance is not fully known. First, we evaluate our approach by calculating the OSL quartz sensitivity of all quartz signals (i.e. signals derived from the natural, regenerative, and test doses) measured in a dating sequence with the Single Aliquot Regenerative dose (SAR) protocol. Such analysis gives the basis for deciding which signal, if any, should be prioritized for sensitivity calculation. Then, we compare the OSL sensitivities derived from quartz signals measured using the conventional sensitivity protocol with those measured by the conventional dating protocol. Finally, we deduce the sediment source of the Pleistocene I&#231;&#225; Formation based on the modern analogues (the Holocene endmembers).</p><p>Our preliminary results show that: it is feasible to use data from dating sequences for sensitivity calculation; OSL quartz signal derived from the natural test doses (L<sub>n</sub>) is the best candidate for sensitivity calculation; the sensitivities provided by our approach are slightly larger than those calculated using the conventional sensitivity protocol; and, the Pleistocene I&#231;&#225; Formation represents a mixed-source (Andean and Cratonic), which is different from the presumed modern analogue represented by the Solim&#245;es river, which is dominated by Andean sediments.</p>
Rantis Cave is a recently discovered filled cave in central Israel, displaying a rich faunal accu... more Rantis Cave is a recently discovered filled cave in central Israel, displaying a rich faunal accumulation composed of micromammals, ungulates and carnivores. U-Th dating assigns the beginning of accumulation to ca. 140 ka. The accumulation is culturally assigned to the late half of the Middle Paleolithic (MP) period. Single-grain OSL measurements attest to complex sedimentological history. We present the cross-disciplinary results of taphonomic and geomorphological analyses, which point to the cave serving as a natural pitfall trap for the large fauna, with little human or carnivore activity. The fauna is dominated by Dama among the ungulates and by Microtus among the micromammals. These data in conjunction with ungulate tooth mesowear analysis suggest a xeric Mediterranean environment on the eastern margin of the southern Levantine foothills. The relative taxonomic abundance of ungulate taxa displays some differences compared to anthropogenic MP sites, possibly reflect the prey choice patterns of MP hunters. Overall, the natural accumulation scenario for Rantis Cave provides a rare paleoenvironmental and paleoeconomic reference to the rich anthropogenic MP faunas of the Southern Levant, enabling the reconstruction of a rich and diverse environmental setting for this important human dispersal route.
This study reviews the architecture, geo-archaeology and chronologies of the aeolian morphologie... more This study reviews the architecture, geo-archaeology and chronologies of the aeolian morphologies of the dunefields along the Mediterranean coast of Israel in order to: (a) Date the timings of sand and dune incursions (b) Identify the transitions between different and changing drivers of sand incursion and dune growth with time and along different segments of the coast (c) Discriminate between climatic, environmental, historic and modern human-induced forcing factors of sand mobilization and stabilization (d) Present a conceptual and physical model of the incursion stages (e) Assess scenarios of sand mobilization/stabilization in the future. Inquiry of the beach buildup and sand and dune incursion and growth chronology is achieved through a combination of luminescence ages, radiocarbon dates and relative ages from previously published geological and archaeological papers and reports, historical texts, together with new optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) ages combined with stratigraphic and sedimentological data. The chronologies are analyzed with respect to marine and coastal processes, aeolian geomorphology, climate and connections to human occupations. Three main stages and controlling forms of sand and dune mobilization are identified: (1) environmentally driven (2) controlled by historic land-use intensity and (3) mainly stabilization by modern land-use/negligence practices.
The ancient tell (mound) of Ramat Rahel sits on the outskirts of Jerusalem. It features an impres... more The ancient tell (mound) of Ramat Rahel sits on the outskirts of Jerusalem. It features an impressive residency and palatial garden that flourished during the seventh to fourth centuries BCE, when biblical Judah was under the hegemony of the Assyrian, Babylonian and Persian empires. Until recently, the garden’s flora has been a mystery, as standard archaeological procedures were unable to retrieve secure archaeobotanical remains. A unique method of extracting fossil pollen from ancient plaster has now enabled researchers to reconstruct the exact vegetation
components of this royal Persian garden and for the first time to shed light on the cultural world of the inhabitants of the residence. The plaster layers and garden are dated archaeologically and by Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) methods to the Persian period (fifth to fourth centuries BCE), and produced evidence of
importation by the ruling Persian authorities of special and highly valued trees to the garden from remote parts of the empire. The most surprising find, and marking its earliest appearance in the southern Levant, was the citron (Citrus medica), which later acquired a symbolic-religious role in Judaism. Other imported trees found to have been grown in the garden are the cedar, birch and Persian walnut. The pollen evidence of these exotic trees in the
Ramat Rahel palatial garden suggests that they were probably brought to flaunt the power of the imperial Persian administration. Native fruit trees and ornamentals that were also grown there include the fig, grape, olive, willow, poplar, myrtle and water lily. The identification of the ancient garden’s plant life opens a course for future research into the symbolic role of flora in palatial gardens. It also offers new opportunities for studying the
mechanism by which native flora was adopted in a particular geographical area and proliferated by humans across
the world.
Dating agricultural terraces, one of the most prominent features of the agricultural sphere in th... more Dating agricultural terraces, one of the most prominent features of the agricultural sphere in the Highlands of the Southern Levant, constitutes a continuous problem for archaeologists and geographers alike. The present study offers a new interdisciplinary approach, combining landscape archaeological investigations with direct sediment dating of terrace fills using the optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) method. The study focuses on the site of Ramat Rahel, a multi-period site located in the southern outskirts of modern Jerusalem, where, in a defined terraced slope, three main phases of terrace construction and use were identified. The earliest phase dates to the Late Byzantine/Early Islamic period, the second to medieval times, and the latest to the Ottoman period. The results not only enable a comprehensive reconstruction of the changing landscape through time, but also demonstrate the validity of the OSL method, when combined with thorough archaeological inspections, as a reliable method for terrace dating.
The construction of terraces for dry farming constitutes a major technological innovation in the ... more The construction of terraces for dry farming constitutes a major technological innovation in the history of agriculture, allowing for the exploitation of previously uncultivated slopes and expanding the carrying capacity of the land. The terracing of the highlands of Judea and Samaria is traditionally associated with the settlement of the “Israelites”. In this article we present the results of a terrace dating project in the highlands of Jerusalem and show that they become a dominant agricultural feature only in classical times. We also discuss the implication of the results for understanding the realia behind some of the biblical text.
Neve David is a large Epipaleolithic (Geometric Kebaran) site located at the outlet of Nahal Siah... more Neve David is a large Epipaleolithic (Geometric Kebaran) site located at the outlet of Nahal Siah from the Carmel range to the coastal plain. During the 1980s excavations and the renewed campaign since 2014, a variety of Holocene features were found intruding into the Geometric Kebaran deposits. Here we present the post-Epipaleolithic features and their contents, focusing on ceramics, sediments and phytoliths. We found that most of these features are Pottery Neolithic in age. Furthermore, the pottery assemblage and isolated flint tools (sickle blades, arrowheads) suggest that the stone-filled pits and other installations should most likely be assigned to the Jericho IX culture. As such, the PN of Neve David adds an important new aspect to the Pottery Neolithic settlement pattern in Mt. Carmel and the Carmel coast. The variety of geoarchaeological analyses and the wealth of phytoliths in the studied features suggest intensive use of the place, although the exact nature and function of the pits were not deciphered.
Recent research into agricultural terrace systems across the Jerusalem Highlands, has revealed a ... more Recent research into agricultural terrace systems across the Jerusalem Highlands, has revealed a significant pattern: the majority of terraces were constructed within the past 700 years, during the Mamluk and Ottoman periods. The motivation for building terrace systems, a labour-intensive endeavour requiring significant long-term investment, appears to be associated with land management policies. This study set out to test this hypothesis, by focusing on the terrace system at Nahal (wadi) Ein-Karim, Jerusalem, and the adjacent site of Khirbet Beit-Mazmil. The study employed portable OSL (POSL) profiling of sediments and OSL dating of the terraces and other related features, alongside archival document analysis. A key element of this study was the examining and dating of plot fences, which serve as tangible representation of shifts in land tenure. The utilisation of POSL profiling facilitated comprehension of their sedimentation dynamics and aided in identifying the optimal sampling approach for OSL dating. The findings highlight a direct link between land endowment practices and terrace construction, particularly evident from the fourteenth century CE onwards. This interdisciplinary approach contributes to our understanding of agricultural terracing dynamics, shedding light on the intricate interplay between land tenure systems, socioeconomic factors, and landscape modification practices in the Late-Medieval Southern-Levant.
Olive (Olea europaea) trees in the arid Negev Desert of southern Israel are important relicts on ... more Olive (Olea europaea) trees in the arid Negev Desert of southern Israel are important relicts on the ancient agricultural landscape. Among them are a cluster of several trees located in Wadi Zetan, at the heart of the Shivta horticulture terroir, with its abundant agricultural runoff remains. Two isolated olive bearing trees stand in a sheltered beneath cliff in the upper part of the wadi. Radiocarbon dating of an internal part of the trunk of one of these living trees estimates its minimum age as the mid-16th-early 17th century CE (~500 years old). Archaeological excavations conducted beneath the trees and the adjacent dam revealed OSL samples of loess accumulation dated to the Early Islamic period (8th-9th centuries CE). The stratigraphy and chronology of this sediment deposition indicate its rapid and short accumulation. Palynological analysis of the same OSL dated samples indicates that grapevines and olive trees were cultivated in the immediate vicinity of the site during the Early Islamic period. The lack of pollen of cultivated taxa from the latter part of the sequence points to cessation of the agricultural activity, probably a few hundred years later. Leaf samples for DNA profiling of the trees in comparison to other local old olive trees around the country, indicate that the trees in Wadi Zetan are genetically close to a known cultivar common among ancient olive trees. The trees have survived for at least a few hundred years, in an arid area, due to the local conditions and enhanced drainage from the man-made upper runoff system. These old olive trees bear a powerful and symbolic significance, indicating the endurance and sustainability of ancient desert runoff agriculture. Moreover, the survival of their relicts in Wadi Zetan suggests their potential as cultivars greater resilience to the harsh growing conditions of arid environments.
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components of this royal Persian garden and for the first time to shed light on the cultural world of the inhabitants of the residence. The plaster layers and garden are dated archaeologically and by Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) methods to the Persian period (fifth to fourth centuries BCE), and produced evidence of
importation by the ruling Persian authorities of special and highly valued trees to the garden from remote parts of the empire. The most surprising find, and marking its earliest appearance in the southern Levant, was the citron (Citrus medica), which later acquired a symbolic-religious role in Judaism. Other imported trees found to have been grown in the garden are the cedar, birch and Persian walnut. The pollen evidence of these exotic trees in the
Ramat Rahel palatial garden suggests that they were probably brought to flaunt the power of the imperial Persian administration. Native fruit trees and ornamentals that were also grown there include the fig, grape, olive, willow, poplar, myrtle and water lily. The identification of the ancient garden’s plant life opens a course for future research into the symbolic role of flora in palatial gardens. It also offers new opportunities for studying the
mechanism by which native flora was adopted in a particular geographical area and proliferated by humans across
the world.
highlands of Jerusalem and show that they become a dominant agricultural feature only in classical times. We also discuss the implication of the results for understanding the realia behind some of the biblical text.