Between nature and humans: charcoal analysis for the reconstruction of fire activity in Bispingen during the early Eemian Interglacial and its context in a regional comparison

Understanding the role of fire in past interglacial ecosystems is crucial for interpreting long-term vegetation dynamics and early human-environment interactions. Here, we investigate macroscopic charcoal (150–500 µm and >500 µm size fractions) preserved in palaeolake sediments from Bispingen (Lower Saxony, Germany), which cover the entire Eemian Interglacial (marine isotope stage (MIS) 5e; ~125.000 years before present). The goal of this study is to reconstruct local fire activity during the early Eemian and assess whether its causes were natural or anthropogenic, including potential links to early hominin presence. Results will be compared with other Eemian sites in Central Europe, particularly Neumark-Nord, to contextualize the findings both regionally and palaeoecologically (e.g. through comparison with existing pollen data).

Samples were taken continuously at 2-cm intervals from the early Eemian part of the palaeolake sediment succession and subsequently wet-sieved into different size fractions. The extracted charcoal fragments were counted and morphologically assessed using a digital microscope. Preliminary results show a low abundance of macroscopic charcoal, especially of the smaller size fraction, suggesting that fires were not widespread near the palaeolake. Dominant charcoal morphotypes are yet to be identified. Special attention is thereby given to methodological consistency, including challenges related to charcoal distribution across size fractions and morphological variability. Influx per year and cm² is calculated, allowing the comparison to other Central European sites.

Overall, the results of this study contribute to the broader understanding of fire as an ecological, climatic and potentially cultural driver during the Eemian Interglacial.