Palaeoenvironmental reconstruction of Hungarian kurgans on the basis of the examination of palaeosoils and phytolith analysis

Two kurgans located on the Great Hungarian Plain, the Csípo˝- and Lyukas-mound, have been examined in precise detail with the involvement of experts of various disciplines. International cooperation enhanced research on the biogenic genesis of soils and landscapes. The aim was to elucidate the construction of both mound bodies, to describe modern soil development, to analyse the buried soils under the kurgans, and to reconstruct the palaeoenvironments of their surroundings, utilizing biomorphic analysis and pedological investigations. The results of the biomorph (phytolith) analysis and the soil macromorphological descriptions indicate that both the modern and palaeo profiles of both kurgans include Chernozem-type soils, formed under predominantly semi-arid steppe vegetation. No evidence of Luvisol development was detectable. The ancient environments of both kurgans were similar in many points with the modern landscape, and development was determined by climate and vegetation typical for steppe environments.