AN INTEGRATED RESULT OF GIS-BASED APPROACH TO PALAEOGEOGRAPHICAL RECONSTRUCTIONS AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEYS OF COASTAL PALAEOLAGOONS AT THE MOUTHS OF THE RIVERS VIHTERPALU, TEENUSE AND VELISE (WESTERN ESTONIA)

Abstract

Methods of palaeogeographical modelling of possible freshwater bodies based on open access datasets provided by the Estonian Land Board are discussed, along with the landscape use of the recently surveyed palaeolagoons at the mouths of the rivers Vihterpalu, Teenuse and Velise (western Estonia) after Litorina Sea transgression maximum (ca 5300 BC). The site clusters by the Vihterpalu palaeolagoon can be dated to the Pre-Pottery Mesolithic or Narva stage (until 5200 BC and 5200–3900 BC, respectively). Human activity by the Velise lagoon probably started at the same time and intensified during the Comb Ware stage (3900–1750 BC). Two mineral surface depressions, sufficient to accommodate remnant lakes and presently covered by peat layers of mires deserve further attention. They are located in the Seljaküla, Variku and Keedika villages behind the coastal formations observable by the road connecting the Keila– Haapsalu main road with Nõva village. Similar depressions behind the coastal formations in the Teenuse–Velise area are not sufficient for freshwater bodies. The spatial pattern of small- scale aceramic settlement sites by the tributaries of the present-day River Kasari up to 10 km from the palaeocoastline suggests a highly persistent seasonal land use during the Comb Ware stage, comparable to the Neolithic settlement phase of Kunda Lammasmägi.