Journal of Maps Student Edition, 2007, 46-57 Investigation of Holocene blown-sand

Abstract: The largest blown-sand area of Hungary is located on the Danube-Tisza Interfluve. Here the most significant aeolian activity took place in the Pleistocene, however the aeolian rework of the forms occurred also in the Holocene and even during historical times. The aims of the research were: (1) to map the geomorphology of the study area at the eastern border of the interfluve (2) to determine the periods of sand remobilisation during historical times (3) to identify the possible types of human activities enabling aeolian activity. In order to determine the exact time of blown-sand movement OSL measurements were applied. Maps (scale 1:10,000) were made in order to analyze the geomorphological setting of the area and to represent the spatial distribution of archaeological findings. Based on the results, the studied sand dune area was occupied mainly by groups grazing large livestock. The archaeology of the territory reflects that settlements were primarily established in the border zone of dry dunes and wet, marshy interdune areas. Animal breeders with large populations meant an intensive burden on the environment and the chance for over-grazing increased during their inhabitance. For these reasons, aeolian activity reoccurred several times on the territory: at the beginning of the Late Bronze Age (1400-800 y BC), in the Sarmatian period (100-500 y AD), during the realm of the Avars (500-900 y AD) and when the Cumanians inhabited the region (1200-1500 y AD). ISSN 1755-295