Abrupt Hydroclimate Change in the Garhwal Himalaya, India at 4200 cal yr BP Coincident with the Contraction of the Indus Valley Civilization

Keywords: Holocene, Paleoclimate, Abrupt climate change, Indus Civilization, India
Session Type: Virtual Paper Abstract
Day: Tuesday
Session Start / End Time: 3/1/2022 05:20 PM (Eastern Time (US & Canada)) - 3/1/2022 06:40 PM (Eastern Time (US & Canada))
Room: Virtual 16

Abstract

High-resolution analysis of a 3.80 m sediment core recovered from Deoria Tal, a mid-elevation lake located at 2393 m a.s.l. in the Garhwal Himalaya, documents long-term and abrupt hydroclimate fluctuations in northern India during the mid- to late Holocene. The sediment chronology, based on ten 14C dates, indicates that the core spans 5200 years. Non-destructive, radiological imaging approaches (XRFand CT scans) were used to: (1) characterize regional hydroclimate variability during the mid- to late Holocene; (2) determine if evidence of an abrupt, short-lived climate event at 4200 cal yr BP is present in at this site; and (3) assess the correspondence between hydroclimate variability and the “metamorphosis” of Indus civilization during the late Holocene. Variations in elemental concentrations and sediment density evidenced notable hydroclimate change episodes centered at 4850, 4200, and 3100 cal yr BP. Elevated detrital input, greater sediment density, decreased lake ventilation, and lower autochthonous productivity reflect lake expansion between 4350 and 4200 cal yr BP. An abrupt shift in elemental concentrations and sediment density indicated the onset of lake drawdown at 4200 cal yr BP and a negative hydroclimate anomaly between 4200 and 4050 cal yr BP. Lower detrital flux, decreased sediment density, increased oxygenation, and higher autochthonous productivity, reflect a reduction in lake volume between 3200 and 3100 cal yr BP. The potential link between abrupt climate change at 4200 cal yr BP and the contraction of the Indus civilization is explored.