Evidence of early farming in the Holocene pollen spectra of Belarus

Pollen data from 47 sequences in various areas of Belarus have been used, aimed at reconstructing the initial spread and further development of early arable farming. Three stages have been identified, based on the appearance of the pollen of cultural cereals in the spectra (Cerealia undif. pollen, Triticum, Hordeum and Secale). First signals of introduction of early farming were recorded in south-western Belarus at 6600–6000 BP, apparently in relation to the Linear Pottery Culture. Spatial-temporal frameworks of early agriculture signatures: south-west – 6600–6000 BP; central regions – 5000–4200 BP; north – 3400–2700 BP.