Sediment transfer and storage linked to Neolithic and Early Medieval soil erosion in the Upper Odra Basin, southern Poland

The loess plateaux of southern Poland were first populated by farmers around 7000 years ago. The rapid development of Neolithic and later farming and stock rearing cultures led to extensive deforestation of the populated areas. In the Upper Odra Basin, southern Poland, colluvial and alluvial fan deposits found in small dry valley systems date to this period of anthropogenic activity. Following the depopulation of settled areas during the Migration Period, a new stage of agricultural colonisation started in the region between the 8th and 10th centuries AD. In the valleys draining the loess plateaux, fine-grained overbank deposits infilling palaeomeanders and a series of narrow inset terrace benches are linked to this latter period of human activity.