The Absolute Chronology of the Zoogenic Deposits From the Negev Desert (Israel)

Zoogenic deposits are one of the most important sources of the information on the history of arid ecosystems. Different organic materials form the deposit thus offering an opportunity for palaeobotanic analysis as well as for radiocarbon dating. However, many obstacles arise while dating zoogenic deposits. Some layers can be readily dated by radiocarbon as dung layers, but some of them do not contain any organic material preserved.

Three zoogenic deposits from the central part of the Negev Desert (Israel) were investigated. Azmaut deposit was accumulated more then 5000 years. This deposit is a key object of this research. The Ramon I deposit was accumulated for the last 8000 years.

The observed coincidence of the changes of the deposits and the pollen spectra testifies the presence of common causes driving them. It allows us to compare the spectrum of sufficiently dated Azmaut deposit with that of the poorly dated Bsor one. The bottom layers of the Ramon I deposit were formed 2000 years earlier than that of Azmaut. Combining the results of the pollen analysis and the radiocarbon dating of the three deposits enables us to reconstruct the vegetation history of the region during the last 8000 years.