Climate-driven history of last 2600 years: Insights from Bandhavgarh National Park and Tiger Reserve, Central India

A detailed reconstruction of Late-Holocene environmental and climatic dynamics has been achieved through systematic investigations conducted at Bandhavgarh National Park and Tiger Reserve in the Umaria district of Madhya Pradesh, Central India. Proxies such as mineral magnetism, textural analysis, carbon/nitrogen ratios, diatoms and pollen have been utilized in this research to elucidate the profound influence of climate on the region’s history and cultural evolution over the past 2600 years (525 BCE to present). The diverse landscapes of the area have experienced significant climatic shifts, shaping its architectural and societal developments. The archeological record reveals a progression from prehistoric activity to the construction and habitation of 90 artificial caves, followed by the creation of early medieval temples and large-scale sculptures, culminating in further architectural consolidation during the medieval period which has a distinct record in the sediment characteristic and ecology of the wetland. This evolution reflects the region’s dynamic interaction with its environment, shaped by alternating wet periods and environmental stress episodes. These changes are vividly captured in the five climatic zones identified in the sediment core from Bandhavgarh, underscoring the intricate relationship between human societies and climatic patterns over millennia.