On the influence of Neopleistocene-Holocene tectonics and seismotectonics on early Neolithic settlements of the Osipovka culture (as exemplified from modern structure of the Khabarovsk–Khekhtsir uplift system with settlements of Goncharka-1, Amur-2 and Os

Abstract

The locations of Early Neolithic settlements of the Osipovka culture (Goncharka-1, Amur-2 and Osipovka-1, -2) are investigated in modern structure of the Khabarovsk-Khekhtsir uplift system (KhKhUS). The structure that is localized in the Eocene-Holocene Middle Amur depression at the intersection of faults belonging to the Namurkhe-Amur and Tan-Lu fault systems has been actively evolving up to now. All Neolithic settlements are located at the western border of the KhKhUS with the depression in the bank area of the Amur River and the Amur channel. These are relict settlements which experienced transformations due to Holocene tectonics, seismotectonics and erosion. The walls of active faults 
exposed by the coastal scarps are abundant in modern tectonic and seismotectonic dislocations. The analysis of the data obtained on the KhKhUS structure and the data recovered from archaeological sites through excavation and supported by radiocarbon dating results shows that the cultural layer of the Osipovka settlements was superimposed by the system of seismodislocations due to destructive (М > 10) earthquake about nine thousand years ago. It is concluded that after a seismic event the settlements were destroyed. The local imprint of the later originated settlement aged eight thousand years and having indications of younger seismodislocation is noted in the settlement of Goncharka-1.