Climate History and Early Peopling of Siberia

Abstract

Geological and palaeoecological evidence from Siberia shows patterned cyclic climatic changes during the Quaternary leading to establishment of the present natural conditions. The spatial and temporal distribution of the cultural records documents climatic instability over large parts of Siberia during the Quaternary Period. Increased continentality and gradual shifts towards cold and arid conditions accelerated adaptation of populations to harsh periglacial climates promoting progressive development of sophisticated survival strategies. Gradual adaptation to cold natural habitats accelerated during the Late Pleistocene in connection with the advanced cultural and biological adjustment, enabling people to establish permanently in the vast and geographically diverse Siberian territory.