A holocene pollen diagram from El Atrun,northern Sudan

Palynological investigations on a 3.36 m core from El Atrun, Nubia, show vegetation development and climatic change during a period from approximately 9800 to 7000 uncal B.P. From a dry period with a steppe-like vegetation at about 9800-9500 B.P. (zone A), a change to a period with a more favourable climate and a tree covered savanna-like vegetation can be observed in zone B (about 9500-8900 B.P.). In zone C (8900-8400 B.P.), a climatic setback is indicated, with spreading of steppe vegetation and an increase in swamp vegetation as a result of a low lake level. For zone D (about 8400-7000 B.P.), renewed spreading of wooded savanna is inferred.