A lack of detailed information on pollen from the Gauja River valley potentially limits the

strength of various reconstructions (vegetation composition, human impact, dominant agricultural

activities) for this territory. This study seeks to examine the human-induced changes on

vegetation, in particular with regard to the arrival of the Livs in the Turaida vicinity during the

Late Iron Age. Here, we present the first analyses of pollen data, macroscopic plant remains and

macroscopic charcoal undertaken in the lower Gauja River valley (territory inhabited by Gauja

Livs). The gathered sediment record, or the Roči bog, points to the appearance of the Livs in the

territory during the 10th century. Our results show an accelerating shift in the landscape from

dense forest coverage to inclusion of more open areas, which would be consistent with the clearing

of areas for cultivation.

The human-induced change resulted in a decrease in forest coverage, an increased presence of

cultivated plants and an acute intensification of fire-related events. The sediment record shows

that oat cultivation was dominant during the Late Iron Age and other crops (barley, wheat, rye)

came into sustained use only at the beginning of the medieval period. The sudden decline in all

cultivated crops (barley, oats, rye and wheat) in the mid-14th century could be due to sudden

environmental changes or to the Black Death, but as this data contradicts research from other

parts of Latvia, further study is advisable.