Middle Pleistocene stratigraphy of the deposits in Za Hájovnou Cave (Javoříčko Karst, northern Moravia, Czech Republic)

Za Hajovnou Cave (Javořicko Karst, northen Moravia, Czech Republic) is a unique Middle Pleistocene locality. Paleontological material comes from different types of sediments in superposition of fluvial deposits of the sinkhole which was active until the maximum of the Cromerian Interglacial I, MIS 19 (B/M palaeomagnetic boundary, 781 ka). Stratigraphic interpretation was based mainly on 230Th/U dating, sedimentology, study of mammal assemblages and palynology. Sediments were divided into 5 groups of layers on the basis of lithological content and character of bone preservation. The 2nd group of layers was the most important for the stratigraphy of the Middle Pleistocene deposits. Three warm stages were documented by the study of sediments and their palaeontological content. We presuppose two stratigraphical alternatives. Alternative A: warm stage III corresponds most probably to MIS 9a, warm stage II could correspond to MIS 9c, warm stage I corresponds to MIS 11. Alternative B: warm stage III corresponds most probably to MIS 9a, warm stage II could correspond to MIS 9c, warm stage I corresponds to MIS 9e. The alternative A (warm stage I corresponds to MIS 11) is supported by the exclusive presence of evolutionary older forms of P. fossilis. If the alternative A is valid than very warm MIS 9e is absent. The alternative B (warm stage I corresponds to MIS 9e and all discussed warm stages agree with MIS 9) is supported by palynological record. The presence of Pterocarya is considered to be typical for Holsteinian with the last occurrences in Central Europe in MIS 9a. Against the alternative B speaks exclusive occurrence of evolutionary older lions in layers of the 2B group. Although both above mentioned alternatives are possible, the exclusive presence of evolutionary older group of lions in sediments of warm stage I support strongly alternative A. The youngest warm stage III does not exceed MIS 9a. Therefore, we consider all three warm stages in Za Hajovnou Cave as belonging to Holsteinian sensu lato. ■ Javořicko Karst, Za Hajovnou Cave, Middle Pleistocene, lithology, palaeozoology, palynology, Holsteinian s.l. Received July 15, 2014 Issued October, 2014 DOI 10.14446/AMNP.2014. 107 lithostratigraphic setting), M. Sabol (lion remains), M. Ivanov (small mammals), N. Dolakova (palynology). Although many papers of the different branches of the Za Hajovnou Cave research have been previously published (Přirodovědne studie Muzea Prostějovska, 8/2005, 5–184, in Czech, 14 papers), this synthetic paper is focused mainly on the stratigraphy of Za Hajovnou Cave sediments. Material and methods The Za Hajovnou Cave is a typical bear cave of the Middle Pleistocene which assemblage is characterized by the dominance of Ursus cf. deningeri (Wagner 2005, Musil 2005b). Fossil remains of other vertebrate species are represented only by some isolated finds. Other large mammals are represented by Panthera fossilis, Panthera spelaea (known from the Late Pleistocene deposits) and the very scant findings of Canis sp. , Bos/Bison sp. , Equus sp. , Sus scrofa and Rupicapra/Capra sp. (Abelova 2005). Systematic geological and palaeontological research of cave deposits in the Za Hajovnou Cave started in 2001. Up to the present time, altogether 13 sections were excavated (Musil 2014). Samples of sediments were gradually taken from all macroscopically distinct layers. All studied sections and individual layers have their unique designation. Macroscopically visible osteological remains were collected out of the sediments in front of the cave entrance and labelled with the number of section and layer. At the same time we have made a detailed description of all macroscopically visible features of each sedimentary unit. Sediments of selected layers were floated in water on the sieves (sizes 2 mm, 1 mm and 0.5 mm) to obtain fossil remains of all the small fauna. Standard maceration with HCl (20%), HF, KOH and HCl (10%) and heavy liquid ZnCl2 (density = 2 g/cm) was used for palynological samples. Approximately 50 palynological samples have been studied. For our stratigraphical conclusions we used published data of different authors (Lisa 2005, Catlos and Fejdi 2005, Zeman 2005, Stelcl and Zimak 2005, Kadlec et al. 2005, Musil 2005a, b, Wagner 2005, Sabol 2005, Ivanov 2005, Dolakova 2005, Lundberg et al. 2014) as well as data in this issue. 230Th/U dating of speleothems The oldest cave deposits are represented by fluvial sediments of the previous sinkhole. Their substantial part deposited within the Early Pleistocene because B/M palaeomagnetic boundary (781 ka) have been reported from the upper part of fluvial sediments below the non-fluvial deposits (Kadlec et al. 2014). Few speleothems suitable for the Th/U dating have been found in the cave (Lundberg et al. 2014): 1. Vykopana chodba, ZH P-4, only 4 cm thick cave bottom sinter situated under the cave roof, the underlying sediments were removed by former speleological excavations. It is situated ~ 4 m from the Kostnice II (= Charnel-House II), sampled at 1 cm from base, 224 ± 4 ka (MIS 7a after Cohen and Gibbard 2011, 7b after Dansgaard et al. 1993). 2. Vykopana chodba, ZH P-5, the Kostnice II, layer 2a – upper part, isolated fragment of broken sinter was dated, 145 ± 1 ka (MIS 6 after Cohen and Gibbard 2011), 267 ± 3 ka, (MIS 8 after Cohen and Gibbard 2011). Fragment of sinter of younger age apparently came into this layer accidentally. 3a. Narozeninova chodba, ZH P-10, the middle part of this corridor. Cave bottom sinter was formed after the formation of the erosional rill. The sample was taken from the underlying of the layer 3 in the roof of debris cone (layer 4). The 10 cm thick cave bottom sinter was sampled at 0.3 cm from top, 178 ± 1ka (MIS 7a after Cohen and Gibbard 2011, MIS 6 after Dansgaard et al. 1993). 3b. Narozeninova chodba, ZH P-10, the same cave bottom sinter and section as above. Sample for dating was taken at the base of the sinter, 239 ± 4 ka (MIS 7e after Cohen and Gibbard 2011, MIS 7e after Dansgaard et al. 1993). 4. Narozeninova chodba, ZH P-11, the base of the cave bottom sinter below the layer 1 was dated, 118 ± 1 ka (MIS 5e after Cohen and Gibbard 2011). 108 Text-fig. 1. The plan of Za Hajovnou Cave, survey of Tomica, A. (Musil 2005a, supplemented).