Publisher © Czech Geological Survey, ISSN: 2336-5757 (online), 0514-8057 (print)
Malacostratigraphy of the foam-sinter rock-shelter V Balnom (Low Tatra National Park, Central Slovakia)
Abstract
The entrance of the V Balnom Cave (Lupcianka Valley, elevation ca 740 m, annual rainfall ca 1000 mm) represents a minor rock shelter the filling of which predominantly consists of the foam sinter with admixture of angular breakdown. Its excavation provided a molluscan fauna dominated by 6 species (Chondrina clienta, Pyramidula pusilla, Truncatellina cylindrica, Vallonia costata, Clausilia dubia, Orcula dolium) occurring throughout the succession. They are characteristic of the West Carpathians high limestone where they survived the Last Glacial. Middle layers include a number of demanding closed-forest elements, reflecting the Holocene Climatic Optimum. Of particular interest is the occurrence of anthropophobic species Argna bielzi (layer 3) whose expansion corresponds to the Epiatlantic period. The top layer 1 as well as layers 2 and 4 include abundant charcoals, indicating either forest fire or temporary stay of humans in the rock shelter. In the latter case, we may assume that the foam sinter formation was seasonally interrupted.
