The Sun, Climate Change and the Expansion of the Scythian Culture after 850 BC

Abstract

The climate shift towards wetter conditions at the transition from Subboreal to Subatlantic in NW-Europe (ca 850 cal. yrs BC; caused by a decline of solar activity), is also evident in South Siberia. Areas that initially were hostile semi-deserts changed into attractive steppe landscapes with a high biomass production, and therefore high carrying capacity. We focus on south-central Siberia where an acceleration of cultural development and an increase in the density of nomadic Scythian populations took place shortly after 850 BC. We hypothesize a causal relationship between the Scythian expansion and migration, and the early Subatlantic shift towards increased humidity.