Unkelbach, Julia (2026): Multi-proxy dataset (pollen, NPPs, micro- and macro-charcoal) from an Iron Age oasis site in Lizq, north-central Oman, covering the period from 2350 cal yr BP to present [dataset]. PANGAEA, https://doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.996858 (DOI registration in progress)
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Published: 2026-09-01
Abstract:
The presented multi-proxy data from Lizq, north-central Oman, document the vegetation, climate, and fire history, as well as the local human activity since the Samad Late Iron Age from around 2350 cal yr BP (around 400 BC) to present. The pollen record provides information about vegetation changes due to climatic fluctuations over Southeastern Arabia as well as about changes in the cultivated vegetation due to dynamic human practices (political and cultural developments, agriculture, herding, and grazing). A clear shift to more xerophytic vegetation and long-distance transport of Pinus pollen grains from the North was reconstructed indicating a weakening of the (summer) monsoon activity in north-central Oman from around 1700-1450 cal yr BP (250-500 AD). Since then, the influence of southern-directed dry polar-continental air masses prevails. Palynological results also indicate plant cultivation on site from at least 2200 cal yr BP (250 BC), but possibly already since the building of the Lizq Early Iron Age fort in the 5th to 4th century BC. Over the last 2420 years there has been limited influence of animal husbandry and natural or anthropogenic fires on the local vegetation in the Lizq area.
Related to:
Unkelbach, Julia; Behling, Hermann; Schmidt, Conrad (2025): Reconstruction of vegetation, climate, fire and human activity at an Iron Age oasis site in Lizq, northern Central Oman, beginning in 400 cal yr BCE. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 675, 113091, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.palaeo.2025.113091
Funding:
Coverage:
Latitude: 22.698347 * Longitude: 58.181068
Date/Time Start: 2023-02-25T00:00:00 * Date/Time End: 2023-02-25T00:00:00
Minimum DEPTH, sediment/rock: 0.0 m * Maximum DEPTH, sediment/rock: 2.0 m
Event(s):
LZ5_Oman (U2908) * Latitude: 22.698347 * Longitude: 58.181068 * Date/Time: 2023-02-25T00:00:00 * Elevation: 479.0 m * Location: Lizq, north-central Oman * Method/Device: Plastic bag (PB) * Comment: Abandoned oasis outside the city of Lizq. Sandy environment with rocky hills. Remains of former oasis vegetation and dry mountain foothill vegetation.
Parameter(s):
| # | Name | Short Name | Unit | Principal Investigator | Method/Device | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DEPTH, sediment/rock | Depth sed | m | Unkelbach, Julia | Geocode | |
| 2 | AGE | Age | ka BP | Unkelbach, Julia | Age, 14C AMS | Geocode – Poznan Radiocarbon Laboratory, Poland |
| 3 | Lycopodium tablets | Lyc.tabN | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | Number of Lycopodium tablets |
| 4 | Spores | Spo | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | Number of Spores per Lycopodium tablet |
| 5 | Spores | Spo | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | Lycopodium spore count |
| 6 | Sample volume | Samp vol | cm3 | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | Sample quantity pollen, NPPs, micro-charcoal |
| 7 | Phoenix dactylifera | P. dactylifera | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | Arecaceae |
| 8 | Vachellia | Vachellia | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | Fabaceae |
| 9 | Pinus | Pin | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | Pinaceae |
| 10 | Prosopis | Pro | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | Fabaceae |
| 11 | Pistacia | Pst | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | Anacardiaceae |
| 12 | Juniperus | Jun | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | Cupressaceae |
| 13 | Citrus | Cit | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | Rutaceae |
| 14 | Maerua | Maerua | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | Capparaceae |
| 15 | Ficus | Fic | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | Moraceae |
| 16 | Ziziphus | Ziziphus | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | Rhamnaceae |
| 17 | Prunus | Prn | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | Rosaceae |
| 18 | Sideroxylon mascatense | S. mascatense | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | Sapotaceae |
| 19 | Olea europaea | Ole.e | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | Oleaceae |
| 20 | Blepharis | Blephari | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | Acanthaceae |
| 21 | Ruellia | Ruellia | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | Acanthaceae |
| 22 | Cornulaca | Cac | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | Amaranthaceae |
| 23 | Haloxylon | Haloxylon | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | Amaranthaceae |
| 24 | Ephedra | Eph | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | Ephedraceae |
| 25 | Chrozophora oblongifolia | C. oblongifolia | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | Euphorbiaceae |
| 26 | Euphorbia | Eup | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | Euphorbiaceae |
| 27 | Ricinus communis | Ric.c | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | Euphorbiaceae |
| 28 | Crotalaria | Crotalar | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | Fabaceae |
| 29 | Malvaceae | Malvae | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | |
| 30 | Myrtus | Myt | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | Myrtaceae |
| 31 | Phyllanthus | Phyllanthus | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | Phyllantaceae |
| 32 | Dodonaea | Dodonaea | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | Sapindaceae |
| 33 | Solanum | Sol | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | Solanaceae |
| 34 | Zygophyllum | Zyg | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | Zygophyllaceae |
| 35 | Heliotropium | Helio | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | Boraginaceae |
| 36 | Ochradiscus | Ochradiscus | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | Resedaceae |
| 37 | Artemisia | Art | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | Asteraceae |
| 38 | Gymnocarpos | Gymnocar | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | Caryophyllaceae |
| 39 | Helianthemum | Hel | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | Cistaceae |
| 40 | Limonium stocksii | L. stocksii | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | Plumbaginaceae |
| 41 | Poaceae | Poac | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | small PG (<40 µm) |
| 42 | Cyperaceae | Cypae | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | |
| 43 | Poaceae | Poac | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | large PG (>40 µm) |
| 44 | Chenopodium | Chm | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | Amaranthaceae |
| 45 | Aerva | Aer | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | Amaranthaceae |
| 46 | Pulicaria | Pulicaria | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | Asteraceae |
| 47 | Cichorioideae-type | Cichorioideae T | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | Asteraceae |
| 48 | Justicia heterocarpa | J. heterocarpa | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | Acanthaceae |
| 49 | Trianthema portulacastrum | T. portulacastrum | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | Aizoaceae |
| 50 | Aizoon | Aizoon | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | Aizoaceae |
| 51 | Apiaceae | Apiae | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | |
| 52 | Rhazya | Rhazya | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | Apocynaceae |
| 53 | Arnebia hispidissima | A. hispidissima | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | Boraginaceae |
| 54 | Asperugo | Asperugo | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | Boraginaceae |
| 55 | Brassicaceae undifferentiated | Bra.ud | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | |
| 56 | Cleome | Cleome | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | Capparaceae |
| 57 | Dianthus | Dia | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | Caryophyllaceae |
| 58 | Silene | Sil | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | Caryophyllaceae |
| 59 | Spergularia | Spr | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | Caryophyllaceae |
| 60 | Commelina | Commelina | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | Commelinaceae |
| 61 | Citrullus colocynthis | C. colocynthis | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | Cucurbitaceae |
| 62 | Erodium | Ero | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | Geraniaceae |
| 63 | Orobanche | Oro | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | Orobanchaceae |
| 64 | Peperomia | Peperomia | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | Piperaceae |
| 65 | Linaria | Lna | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | Plantaginaceae |
| 66 | Plantago | Pla | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | Plantaginaceae |
| 67 | Rumex | Rum | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | Polygonaceae |
| 68 | Ranunculus | Ran | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | Ranunculaceae |
| 69 | Galium | Gal | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | Rubiaceae |
| 70 | Oldenlandia corymbosa | O. corymbosa | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | Rubiaceae |
| 71 | Scrophulariaceae undifferentiated | Scr.ud | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | |
| 72 | Schweinfurthia | Schweinfurthia | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | Scrophulariaceae |
| 73 | Typha | Typ | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | Typhaceae |
| 74 | Urticaceae undifferentiated | Urt.ud | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | |
| 75 | Tribulus | Tus | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | Zygophyllaceae |
| 76 | Acanthaceae undifferentiated | Acanthaceae undiff | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | |
| 77 | Boraginaceae undifferentiated | Bor.ud | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | |
| 78 | Fabaceae undifferentiated | Fab.ud | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | |
| 79 | Aloe vera | A. vera | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | Asphodelaceae |
| 80 | Pollen indeterminata | Pollen indet | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | |
| 81 | Fern spores | Fern spores | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | |
| 82 | Glomus | Glomus | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | HdV-207, Glomus spp. |
| 83 | Gaeumannomyces | Gae | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | HdV-126, Gaeumannomyces spp. |
| 84 | Sporormiella | Sro | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | HdV-113, Sporormiella spp. |
| 85 | Sordaria | Sor | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | HdV-55A, Sordaria spp. |
| 86 | Delitschia | Delitschia | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | HdV-47, Delitschia spp. Small |
| 87 | Delitschia | Delitschia | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | Delitschia spp., very large |
| 88 | Arnium | Arnium | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | HdV-261, Arnium spp. |
| 89 | Coniochaeta | Cno | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | HdV-172, Coniochaeta spp. |
| 90 | Alternaria | Atn | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | NN-129, Alternaria spp. |
| 91 | Neurospora/Gelasinospora | Neurospora/Gelasinospora | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | UY-110, Neurospora/Gelasinospora spp. |
| 92 | Pleospora | Peo | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | HdV-3B, Pleospora spp. |
| 93 | Thecaphora | Tec | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | HdV-364, Thecaphora spp. |
| 94 | Curvularia | Curvularia | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | HdV-1029, Curvularia spp. |
| 95 | Savoryella | Savoryella | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | UG-1118, Savoryella spp. |
| 96 | Fungal spores | Fung.spo | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | HdV-200 |
| 97 | Fruiting body | Fruiting body | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | |
| 98 | Uredospore | Uredospore | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | |
| 99 | Fungal remains undifferentiated | Fung.rem undiff | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | |
| 100 | Arcella | Arl | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | HdV-352 |
| 101 | Brachionus, eggs | Brachionus eggs | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | |
| 102 | Rhabdocoela cocoons | Rhabdocoela coc | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | HdV-353B |
| 103 | Acari | Acari | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | HdV-36, Part of Acari |
| 104 | Acari | Acari | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | HdV-88B, Part of Acari |
| 105 | Insect hair | Insect hair | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | |
| 106 | Insect fragment undifferentiated | Insect fragment undiff | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | |
| 107 | Fungal spores | Fung.spo | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | HdV-115 |
| 108 | Microfossils indeterminata | Microfos indet | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | |
| 109 | Bryophyte spore undifferentiated | Bry.s.ud | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | |
| 110 | Fungal spores | Fung.spo | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | HdV-182 |
| 111 | Microcharcoal | myChar | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Light microscope, ZEISS Primostar 3 [x400 magnification] | <125 µm |
| 112 | Microcharcoal | myChar | #/cm3 | Unkelbach, Julia | Calculated | |
| 113 | Sample volume | Samp vol | cm3 | Unkelbach, Julia | Measured | Sample quantity macro-charcoal |
| 114 | Macrocharcoal | MacChar | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Stereomicroscope, ZEISS [x12 magnification] | >125 µm, sum |
| 115 | Macrocharcoal, wood-type | MacChar w-t | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Stereomicroscope, ZEISS [x12 magnification] | fraction |
| 116 | Macrocharcoal, leaf-type | MacChar l-t | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Stereomicroscope, ZEISS [x12 magnification] | fraction |
| 117 | Macrocharcoal, grass-type | MacChar g-t | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Stereomicroscope, ZEISS [x12 magnification] | fraction |
| 118 | Macrocharcoal | MacChar | # | Unkelbach, Julia | Stereomicroscope, ZEISS [x12 magnification] | Other types, fraction |
| 119 | Macrocharcoal | MacChar | #/cm3 | Unkelbach, Julia | Stereomicroscope, ZEISS [x12 magnification] |
License:
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC-BY-4.0)
Status:
Curation Level: Enhanced curation (CurationLevelC)
Size:
2443 data points
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