The recent reconstructions of the climatic conditions of Europe and East Asia during the Medieval Warm Period and Little Ice Age: a scientific review

Introduction. The following review concerns the research of Eurasian climate history during the last 1500 years. Materials and methods. The results of paleoclimatological studies published during the last 15 years are examined and compared, including the brief outline of the methods of the reconstruction of past climates employing various proxies, including pollen, tree rings and ice cores. Results and discussion. The recent reconstructions of the climate of the Europe and Eastern Asia during the most important climatic events of the past millennium - the Medieval Warm Period (10th-13th cc.) and the Little Ice Age (15th-19th cc.) are described. The influence of the climatic conditions of these time periods on the lives and economic activities of the human populations in Europe and China. Conclusion. The comparison of the reconstructions originating from the various regions of Eurasia demonstrates the global extent of the warm and cold periods and the existence of the connections between perennial meteorological events in Europe and Asia.