The aim of this paper was to reconstruct environmental changes during the last 2 kyr in the Orawa-Nowy Targ Basin based on palynological anlaysis and the radiocarbon dating of two peat bog profi les from Puścizna Mała and Puścizna Krauszowska. So far, pollen profi les from this area have failed to include any radiocarbon dates from this period. The first human activity was recorded between the 1st and the 6th centuries AD when the sporadic presence of Cerealia pollen may point to agricultural activity by the Przeworsk Culture tribes. The reversal of the chronological order of layers between the 7th and the 17th century in Puścizna Krauszowska is also the result of human activity on the peat bog dome. This has led to the exclusion of this part from consideration. Busier economic activity in the 9th-11th centuries in Puścizna Mała is apparent from more frequent occurrences of Cerealia type and Secale cereale pollen, as well as from the rise in the proportions of open ground herbs. However, historical sources do not confi rm constant settlement in this area at that time. The beginning of medieval colonization caused strong deforestation in the Orawa-Nowy Targ Basin, when mainly beech-fir forests and on a smaller scale spruce were destroyed. The domes of reclaimed peat bogs were colonized by Calluna vulgaris and Pinus sylvestris. An increase in the percentage of coprophilous fungi in the profi les indicates development of pastures. Between medieval and present times the sharp rise in the frequency of charred particles may be explained by peat bog fires and/or the foundation of factories in the 20th century.