Late Quaternary fluvio-aeolian interactions and possible aridification in west-central India: Implications for prehistoric human adaptations in the Central Tapi Valley

The Central Tapi Valley in India presents a unique opportunity to study Late Quaternary environmental changes, with a particular focus on fluvio-aeolian interactions, aridification, and their implications for human adaptation. To reconstruct the sedimentary history, we used a multi-proxy approach using microstructural analysis of quartz grains, grain size distribution and magnetic susceptibility. Our findings reveal a two-phase depositional process: fluvial processes dominate the upper layers (Phase 1), while aeolian influences characterize the lower layers (Phase 2), suggesting seasonal wind variations and episodic aridification in the region. In the magnetic susceptibility data, Phase 1 is characterized by ferrimagnetic minerals linked to increased pedogenesis and intensified Indian Summer Monsoon activity, and Phase 2, dominated by antiferromagnetic minerals, is indicative of aeolian processes and drier conditions. These findings underscore the broader patterns of intercontinental aridification, extending into central India and influencing human habitation and adaptation strategies during this period. Hence, this study contributes to the understanding of the Late Quaternary landscape transformations and provides valuable insights into how climate variability and environmental stressors shaped human adaptation in West-Central India, and demonstrates the potential to enhance the understanding of intercontinental aridification and dustiness in central India, reaching beyond the Himalayan and Thar Desert zones.