Geoarchaeology of alluvial environments: hydroclimate and ancient society

Willem Toonen, Julie Durcan, Kim Cohen

Alluvial environments have always been a focus for human activity, and studies of human-environment interactions are a key theme within geo- and archaeological studies. However integrated studies are relatively rare, despite the dynamic and complex relationships between humans and the fluvial environment. At local and regional scales, there are examples where climatic variability and changing alluvial contexts have represented both opportunities and challenges for humans. We welcome papers considering relationships between ancient societies and environment. The session has no fixed temporal focus; instead contributions spanning a broad time range are encouraged - from early hominids, Mesolithic hunter-gatherers, Old World riverine civilizations, to the historical period. Furthermore, we invite papers on methodological advances; i.e. resolving fluvial archives and palaeohydrologic extremes (floods and droughts), improving chronologies, or incorporating analysis of large datasets that are pivotal to understand human-river-climate interactions.