The present study discusses the results of geological and geoarchaeological research at Manaqi in Al-Rustaq, the new Iron Age (1300-300 BC) complex in north-central Oman. The regional relief attests to pronounced geo-environmental dynamics, largely linked to orogeny of the central Jabal Akhdar Range, as well as climate change. The investigated prehistoric site provides evidence of multiple phases of occupation, the earliest being represented by numerous stone tools, documenting a sequenced presence of Palaeolithic people in the vicinity of an ancient fluvial channel. The principal Iron Age site with residential buildings, tombs and other architectural elements (defensive, irrigation, stone-mining) bear witness to a well-organised settlement with distinct areas, suggesting specific functions. The size and layout of households and funerary structures built from local bedrock and alluvial boulders point to social complexity of a semi-sedentary society. The spatial organisation and internal arrangement of the Manaqi Site suggest that its economic significance was likely linked to an ancient trade route along the present Wadi Al-Fara, connecting the Al-Hajar Mountains with the coast of the Sea of Oman. The synthesized field and analytical data provide a geo-contextual background for the regional pre-Islamic settlements within the South Batinah Governorate. The Manaqi locality also represents a most interesting geo-site, illustrating a multi-facetted geological and palaeoenvironmental history of the present rocky desert subjected to active geomorphic modelling with an ancient anthropogenic imprint. Climate was a key factor in controlling the rise of pre-Islamic civilisation in the Oman Sultanate.
In the Lubusz region (western Poland), lignite was already mined in the first half of the 19th century. German exploitation of the lignite proceeded on an industrial scale and continued until the end of World War II. After the war, Poland took up excavations in this area, but exclusively at the Sieniawa Lignite Mine (SLM). This mine, the smallest in Poland, was state-owned for over half a century; since 2002 it has been a private company. Annual lignite production at SLM rarely exceeded 0.1-0.2 million tonnes (Mt), although, in recent years, it has increased significantly, reaching a record level of over 1 Mt. These mining achievements are particularly impressive within the context of the highly complex geological structure of the study area. For over 150 years, SLM has been exploiting one of the most glaciotectonically disturbed lignite seams in the world, first underground and later in opencast. This lignite belongs to the 2nd Lusatian group of seams, is of late Early-early Middle Miocene age, having formed under the conditions of the Miocene Climatic Optimum. The wetland vegetation (swamp forests and shrub bogs) in the warm, near-subtropical climate produced large amounts of peat, which ultimately led to lignite formation. Detritic lignite dominates (followed by xylodetritic lignite) and is characteristically weathered in its upper part, containing numerous traces of wildfires. Finally, despite the energy transformation, SLM has a chance to continue operating for at least several more decades, this being the longest amongst all Polish lignite mines.
The present paper summarises results of studies into fungal microremains (non-pollen palynomorphs) encountered during palynological studies of Miocene lignite-bearing deposits in the Adam & oacute;w-Konin Basin, the Be & lstrok;chat & oacute;w Lignite Mine, the Ruja lignite deposit and the lignite seam at Ch & lstrok;apowo. The Adam & oacute;w-Konin lignite deposits turn out to be the richest site for fossil fungi within Neogene lignite-bearing strata in Poland. Fungal ecological groups (e.g., epiphyllous fungi, rhizosphere fungi and indigenous wetland fungi) and fungal taxa as environmental proxies were examined alongside plant pollen/spores in order to reconstruct ancient peat-forming environments. Fossil fungi are valuable palaeoclimatic indicators seeing that fungi are generally sensitive to environmental conditions. Fungal non-pollen palynomorphs found in lignite-bearing deposits can provide information on ancient wetland hydrology and conditions, vegetation structure and density, temperature and humidity, and even plant-fungal interactions. Coupled with other proxies, fungal remains can complement the palaeoenvironmental picture obtained from classic pollen analysis, creating a detailed picture of Miocene coal-forming environments.
