Paleoecology of soil formation in the final Paleolithic settlement Sholma-I (Volga upland, Chuvash plateau)

The soil-ecological characteristics of the unique latepaleolithic settlements Sholma-I is given. The uniqueness of the settlement Sholma-I conclude in the fact that the cultural horizons are covering loesslike loam, containing a complex cryomorphic fossil soils, consisting of two overlapping monogenetic soils. Such complex soilformation in the Middle Volga region was not known, so the authors called these soil as sholmskay. Formation of sholmskay complex soil occurred during the two lateglacial interstadials. The top of thin monogenic fossil soil probably formed in Allerod. The lower fossil soil is more thick and more difficult organizes, it probably formed in Belling. Sholmskaya complex fossil soil is overlaid by the pale-brown loam, probably deposited in the late Drias (11-10,3 thousand years ago).