Paleoenvironmental context of archaeological sites,implications for subsistence strategies under Holocene climate change,northern Kenya

The Holocene was time of dramatic climate change in East Africa, shifting from wetter climate in the Early–Mid Holocene (∼10–5ka) to drier climates in the Late Holocene, followed by a slight reversal at <1ka. The Holocene was a time of cultural change from hunter‐gatherer and fishing to pastoralism. Recent excavations along the eastern shores of Lake Turkana, Kenya (4°N) provide new archaeological materials, a high‐resolution stratigraphic and paleoenvironmental data set, OSL dates, and cultural records in the context of documented environmental change (falling lake levels). Archaeological site FwJj25 (4.20 ± 0.28ka), on the northeastern margin of Lake Turkana, provides one of the earliest records of pastoralism in the region. The palimpsest record of FwJj5 (0.90 ± 0.06ka) was in a small valley containing a groundwater seep located 5km from the lake. FwJj5 reflects occupation by people who may have covered great distances in accessing resources, but were likely drawn to an environmental refugia of freshwater springs during times of regional aridity. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

A first Holocene leaf wax isotope-based paleoclimate record from the semi-humid to semi-arid south-eastern Caucasian lowlands

The Holocene paleoclimate of the Caucasus region is rather complex and not yet well understood: while existing studies are mainly based on pollen records from high-altitude and humid lowland regions, no records are available from the semi-humid to semi-arid south-eastern Caucasian lowlands. Therefore, this study investigated compound-specific δ²H and δ¹³C isotopes of leaf wax biomarkers from Holocene floodplain soils in eastern Georgia. Our results show that the leaf wax δ²H signal from the paleosols mostly reflects changes in the moisture source and its isotopic composition. Depleted δ²H values before ~8 cal ka bp change towards enriched values after ~5 cal ka bp and become again depleted after ~1.6 cal ka bp. This trend could be caused by Holocene changes of the isotopic compositions of the Black and eastern Mediterranean Sea, and/or by varying contribution of both moisture sources linked with the North Atlantic Oscillation. The leaf wax δ¹³C signal from the paleosols directly indicates varying local water availability and drought stress. Depleted δ¹³C values before ~8 and after ~5 cal ka bp indicate wetter local conditions with higher water availability, whereas more enriched values during the middle Holocene (~8 until at least 5 cal ka bp ) indicate drier conditions with increased drought stress.     

MIS 5a/5b时期亚洲夏季风变化的高分辨率石笋记录

由于深海氧同位素阶段5时期 (Marine Isotope Stage 5, MIS 5)高分辨率的亚洲夏季风记录较少,限制了对该时期亚洲夏季风变化的认识。本文利用重庆金佛山羊口洞石笋的δ18O记录,重建了MIS 5a/5b时期平均分辨率为38年的亚洲夏季风演变历史。发现该时段亚洲夏季风在千年—百年尺度上与北大西洋地区气候变化存在紧密联系。得益于误差小于0.4%的230Th测年结果,本文标定了中国间冰阶(Chinese Interstadial, CIS)21的开始时间为84.6±0.3 ka BP,CIS 22的起止时间分别为91.2±0.3 ka BP和88.9±0.3 ka BP。此外,羊口洞石笋记录的CIS 21和CIS 22的变化模式与格陵兰记录不同,而与南极冰芯记录呈反相对应,可能表示在此阶段亚洲夏季风受到了南半球气候变化的影响。      

云南宣威4.6万年以来洞穴石笋古气候变化记录

石笋是高分辨地记录古气候环境变化的主要信息载体之一。本文通过对宣威下水龙洞 1号石笋进行α能谱铀系测年及碳、氧同位素分析,获得了距今 46.1ka至 2.75ka高分辨率的古气候演变信息。其年龄与δ18O值的记录在纵向上的变化具有明显的韵律性特征,可与深海岩芯V2 8～ 2 3 8同位素记录所揭示的第 3阶段、2阶段和 1阶段进行对比。反映 46.1ka以来宣威地区的气候波动与全球的气候变化具有明显的一致性。但是,区内是气候变化的敏感区,是东亚季风与印度洋季风交互作用的特殊区域,存在有明显的地区性气候变化特征,在整个末次冰期时段 (4 6.1～8.1ka)气候总体偏温暖,10.2 5ka为新仙女木冷事件的最冷终止点。在全新世大暖期时段的 7.1～ 3.7ka间显示气候温暖湿润,而在 3.7～ 2.75ka间伴随太阳辐射和印度洋西南季风强度的减弱,气候有明显的降温趋势。此外,石笋的碳、氧同位素显示的气候冷暖变化是,主沉积旋回以万年级、千年级和百年级为周期性变化;亚旋回以千年级和百年级为周期性变化。     

A multi-proxy record of abrupt cooling events during the Windermere Interstadial at Crudale Meadow,Orkney, UK

Three clearly defined abrupt cooling events (ACEs) can be observed within Greenland Interstadial (GI)-1 in the Greenland ice-core records. However, the spatial variation in amplitude and timing of these ACEs is poorly understood due to the paucity of well-dated records with quantified temperature reconstructions. This study presents high-resolution chironomid-inferred July air temperature (T_Jul) and oxygen isotope (δ¹⁸O) records from Crudale Meadow (Orkney Isles, UK). Three centennial-scale ACEs punctuate the Windermere Interstadial at Crudale Meadow. The largest ACE shows an amplitude of 5.4 °C and a 1% isotopic decline and is centred on ~14.0 ka bp , consistent with the timing of the GI-1d event in the Greenland stratigraphy. The two other observed ACEs are of smaller magnitude and are centred on ~13.6 ka bp and ~13.2 ka bp , with these smaller magnitude events tentatively correlated with the GI-1cii and GI-1b events, respectively, but lack sufficient chronological constraint to fully assess their timing. When comparing the Crudale Meadow record with other locations in the British Isles a strong relationship can be observed between the magnitude of T_Jul cooling and latitude, with a reduced signal in more southerly locations, indicating that oceanic forcing may be a key driver of the ACEs.     

A high-resolution speleothem proxy record of the Late Glacial in the European Alps: extending the NALPS19 record until the beginning of the Holocene

Previous research has shown that speleothems from the northern rim of the European Alps captured submillennial-scale climate change during the last glacial period with exceptional sensitivity and resolution, mimicking Greenland ice-core records. Here we extend this so-called NALPS19 record across the Late Glacial using two stalagmites which grew continuously into the Holocene. Both specimens show the same high-amplitude δ¹⁸O signal as Greenland ice cores down to decadal resolution. The start of the warming at the onset of the equivalent of Greenland Interstadial (GI) GI-1e at 14.66 ± 0.18 ka agrees with the North Greenland Ice Core Project (NGRIP) (14.64 ± 0.28 ka) and comprised a temperature rise of about 5–6 °C. The transition from the equivalent of GI-1a into the equivalent of Greenland Stadial (GS) GS-1 (broadly equivalent to the Younger Dryas) commenced at 13.02 ± 0.13 ka which is consistent with NGRIP (12.80 ± 0.26 ka) within errors. The onset of the Holocene started at 11.78 ± 0.14 ka (11.65 ± 0.10 ka at NGRIP) and involved a warming of about 4–5 °C. In contrast to δ¹⁸O, δ¹³C values show no response to (sub)millennial climate shifts due to strong rock-buffering and only record a long-term trend of soil development starting with the rapid warming at 14.7 ka.     

黔南七星洞石笋古气候变化记录及末次间冰期终止点的确定

当前在全球气候变化预测研究中,洞穴石笋的高分辨定年和碳、氧同位素组成的变化规律研究,为这个领域的突破和填补空白做出了巨大贡献。通过对贵州都匀七星洞 1号石笋进行 11件TIMS U系测年和 79件碳、氧同位素分析,获得了距今 10 9.0 0kaB.P.至 6 5.90kaB.P.的高分辨率古气候记录。石笋在大于 10 9.0 0kaB.P.前开始生长,于 6 5.90kaB.P.后停止生长,平均沉积速率为 4.5 8mm/ 10 0a,属晚更新世的沉积产物。七星洞 1号石笋剖面的研究揭示,其年龄和δ18O同位素的变化,可以与深海岩芯氧同位素记录所揭示的第五阶段中的 5a、5b、5c和第四阶段的早期进行对比。它的碳、氧同位素记录揭示,在 10 9.0～ 10 2.5kaB.P.和 86.6～ 78.92kaB.P.时段,显示受东亚夏季风影响较强,气温升高,降水增多,δ18O偏负,表现为温暖湿润的气候环境。在 10 2.5～ 86.6kaB.P.时段,显示受东亚夏季风影响强度减弱,受东亚冬季风影响强度增加,气温降低,大气降水减少,δ18O稍趋向偏正,表现为冷凉半湿润-温凉湿润的气候环境;而在 78.92～ 6 5.6kaB.P.时段,显示东亚冬季风强盛和受西北风影响较强,海表温度下降,大气温度降低,降水量较少,δ13O偏重,δ13 C偏正 (C4植物占 95 % ),表现为严寒     

Structure and timing of the last deglaciation: Oxygen-isotope evidence

Foraminiferal oxygen-isotope data from 24 tropical Atlantic sediment cores, constrained by 77 ¹⁴C dates, are stacked to form a composite record of isotopic Termination 1.. This record indicates that most of the isotopic transition at the end of the last ice age occurred between 14 ka BP and 6 ka BP. Minor isotopic expression of deglaciation is permitted as early as 16 ka BP, but the most rapid rate of change occurred between 14 ka BP and 12 ka BP. Three ‘steps’ of maximum change are present. Although they are close to the statistical limits of detection in the composite record, the clear presence of the steps in individual records suggests that they are real. We estimate their timing at 14-12 ka BP (Termination 1-a), 10-9 ka BP (Termination 1-b), and 8-6 ka BP (Termination 1-c).Centering of the termination near 11 ka BP is consistent with the ‘Milankovitch’ hypothesis that high summer insolation caused deglaciation. In detail, however, maximum rates of change prior to the 11 ka BP insolation extreme, and the inferred steps require additional mechanisms controlling the tempo of glacial-interglacial climate change. Steps equivalent to those in δ¹⁸O have not been detected in ice-margin retreat data. Steps in the isotopic transition, if real, may record thinning of the ice sheets not accompanied by loss of area. Alternation between near-equilibrium and near-stagnant ice-sheet profiles during deglaciation is hypothesized, perhaps due to calving and unstable ‘down-draw’ of the ice sheets followed by partial re-equilibration. Significant problems remain. The effects of temperature on the isotope record are only partially constrained. Presently available data allow only semi-quantitative intercalibration of ice volume, sea level, and isotopic estimates of glaciation.     

Quaternary Geology and Faulting in the Damxung-Yangbajain Basin

The detailed geological mapping, conducted in the Damxung-Yangbajain basin, shows that there are many types of deposits formed since the Pliocene. The oldest sediments are formed during the Pliocene. The most prominent sediments are three sets of moraines and fluvioglacial deposits. The ESR, U-series and OSL dates indicate they are formed about 700-500 ka B.P., 250-125 ka B.P. and 75-12 ka B.P. respectively and indicate that there are three glacial periods since the mid-Pleistocene in the Nyainqentanglha Range. Along the southeast side of the Nyainqentanglha Range, the main southeast dipping fault zone which bounds the Damxung-Yangbajain Graben on its western edge was mapped. The fault zone consists of three secondary fault zones and their initiation ages that the fault zones became active gradually decrease southeastward. Prominent faulting occurred in about 700-500 ka B.P., 350-220 ka B.P., -140 ka B.P. and 70-50 ka B.P. since the mid-Pleistocene. The height of fault scarps which offset the sediments f     

Geology,stratigraphy and palaeoenvironmental evolution of the Stephanorhinus kirchbergensis-bearing Quaternary palaeolake(s) of Gorzów Wielkopolski (NW Poland,Central Europe)

The sedimentary succession exposed in the Gorzów Wielkopolski area includes Eemian Interglacial (MIS 5e) or Early Weichselian (MIS 5d–e) deposits. The sedimentary sequence has been the object of intense interdisciplinary study, which has resulted in the identification of at least two palaeolake horizons. Both yielded fossil remains of large mammals, alongside pollen and plant macrofossils. All these proxies have been used to reconstruct the environmental conditions prevailing at the time of deposition, as well as to define the geological context and the biochronological position of the fauna. Optically stimulated luminescence dating of the glaciofluvial layers of the GS3 succession to 123.6 ± 10.1 (below the lower palaeolake) and 72.0 ± 5.2 ka (above the upper palaeolake) indicate that the site formed during the Middle–Late Pleistocene (MIS 6 – MIS 5). Radiocarbon-dating of the lacustrine organic matter revealed a tight cluster of Middle Pleniglacial Period (MIS 3) ages in the range of ~41–32 ka cal bp (Hengelo – Denekamp Interstadials). Holocene organic layers have also been found, with ¹⁴C ages within a range of 4330–4280 cal bp (Neolithic). Pollen and plant macrofossil records, together with sedimentological and geochemical data, confirm the dating to the Eemian Interglacial.     

Recurrence Characteristics of Major Earthquakes in the Tangshan area,North China

The Tangshan area lies in the North China plain where an Ms 7.8 earthquake occurred in 1976,which is associated with a hidden active fault.To reveal the recurrence characteristics of major quakes in this area over a relatively long time,we have conducted a comprehensive study using geological investigations,shallow seismic exploration,boreholes,trench observations and geological dating.Five paleoearthquakes were recognized in a 6.4m-deep trench west to the Tangshan Asylum. Among them,the former three events occurred between 56.78±4.83ka and 89.39±7.60 ka,and the fourth event occurred around 6.9 ka,respectively,and then followed by the fifth in 1976.Seven boreholes were deployed crossing the ground fissure formed by the 1976 Tangshan earthquake at the site of No.10 Middle School,where we have identified 25 liquefaction events in the boreholes TZC6-5 and 6-7.By the comprehensive analysis of the trench,the liquefaction events from the boreholes and the depth-time curves of drill cores,we suggest a new recurrence model of major quakes in this area. It is not a constant recurring cycle since 210 ka,instead consisting of six alternating seismically quiet and active stages.Of them,stageⅠ(>177 ka) was a quiescent period in seismicity,stageⅡ(from 143 ka to 177 ka) was an active one,stageⅢ(from 102 ka to 143 ka) was quiescent again,stageⅣ(from 56 ka to 102 ka) had many quakes,stageⅤ(from 6.9 ka to 56 ka) became quiet,and stageⅥ(from 6.9 ka to now) was the beginning of a new seismically active period.     

Growth, interaction and seismogenic potential of coupled active normal faults (Isernia Basin, central-southern Italy)

The inception and growth of the active Carpino-Le Piane Basin Fault System (CLPBFS; central-southern Apennines, Italy) was analysed with respect to the neighbouring Isernia and Surrounding (ISFS) and Boiano Basin (BBFS) extensional Fault Systems. ³⁹Ar–⁴⁰Ar dating showed that the BBFS was already active 649 ± 21 ka bp and that the ISFS was active at least 476 ±10 ka bp , whereas the activity of the CLPBFS started certainly later than 253 ± 22 ka bp , and very probably as recently as <28 ka bp . These ages, combined with structural data (geometry and kinematics of the fault systems), indicate that the inception and development of the CLPBFS could be strictly related to the stress changes caused by earthquakes occurring on the BBFS.     

Re‐analysis of key evidence in the case for a hemispherically synchronous response to the Younger Dryas climatic event

A south‐east Australian speleothem stable isotope record displaying an apparent cooling synchronous with the northern hemisphere Younger Dryas climate event (12.9–11.7 ka) has significantly influenced scientific thinking on the climatic response of the southern hemisphere following the Last Glacial Maximum. This is one of very few records displaying such a response, and yet the cooling was inferred from substantial extrapolation between just three uranium‐series ages. Technological advances since then have produced major improvements in both the spatial resolution and the accuracy of uranium‐series geochronologies. Re‐analysis of this sample has yielded ages of 7.96 ± 0.36 to 7.69 ± 0.33 ka for the interval previously inferred to span the Younger Dryas, and reveals a substantial hiatus in deposition from 6.93 ± 0.64 to 1.83 ± 0.16 ka. These data not only refute the original evidence for an inter‐hemispheric synchroneity of the Younger Dryas but also reject any evidence for neoglacial conditions at 3 ka. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Late Saalian and Eemian palaeoenvironmental history of the Bol''shoy Lyakhovsky Island (Laptev Sea region, Arctic Siberia)

Palaeoenvironmental records from permafrost sequences complemented by infrared stimulated luminescence (IRSL) and [Formula: See Text]Th/U dates from Bol'shoy Lyakhovsky Island (73°20'N, 141°30'E) document the environmental history in the region for at least the past 200 ka. Pollen spectra and insect fauna indicate that relatively wet grass-sedge tundra habitats dominated during an interstadial c. 200-170 ka BP. Summers were rather warm and wet, while stable isotopes reflect severe winter conditions. The pollen spectra reflect sparser grass-sedge vegetation during a Taz (Late Saalian) stage, c. 170-130 ka BP, with environmental conditions much more severe compared with the previous interstadial. Open Poaceae and Artemisia plant associations dominated vegetation at the beginning of the Kazantsevo (Eemian) c. 130 ka BP. Some shrubs (Alnus fruticosa, Salix, Betula nana) grew in more protected and wetter places as well. The climate was relatively warm during this time, resulting in the melting of Saalian ice wedges. Later, during the interglacial optimum, shrub tundra with Alnus fruticosa and Betula nana s.l. dominated vegetation. Climate was relatively wet and warm. Quantitative pollen-based climate reconstruction suggests that mean July temperatures were 4-5°C higher than the present during the optimum of the Eemian, while late Eemian records indicate significant climate deterioration.     

Early Holocene loessic colluviation in northwest England: new evidence for the 8.2 ka event in the terrestrial record?

Vincent, P. J., Lord, T. C., Telfer, M. W. & Wilson, P. 2010: Early Holocene loessic colluviation in northwest England: new evidence for the 8.2 ka event in the terrestrial record? Boreas, 10.1111/j.1502‐3885.2010.00172.x. ISSN 0300‐9483. Twelve new samples of loessic silts from widely spaced locations on the karst uplands of northwest England have yielded Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) dates that fall within or overlap with (within uncertainties) the early to mid‐Holocene period (11.7–6.0 ka), and support three already‐published Holocene ages from similar sediment from this region. Nine of the 15 dates are coincident with the hypothesized climatic deterioration at 8.5–8.0 ka in the North Atlantic region and eight are coincident with the 8.2 ka event. These dates demonstrate that the silts are not primary air‐fall loesses of deglacial/Lateglacial age (c. 18.0–11.7 ka) but have been reworked and now consist of loess‐derived colluvial deposits; we consider the ages to be reliable as there is no compelling evidence to indicate that the samples are partially bleached. There is no substantive archaeological or palynological evidence for Late Mesolithic hunter‐gatherers having had a major impact on the landscape, and it is considered highly unlikely that these people triggered colluviation. We estimate that during the 8.2 ka event there was a reduction in mean annual air temperature at these upland locations of ～2.6–4.6 °C, and proxy evidence from other sites indicates a shift to wetter conditions. It is inferred that there was greater snow accumulation in winter, that the snowpack survived for longer periods, and that there was an increase in the magnitude and frequency of frost‐related processes and meltwater flooding. Together, these changes in climate and their associated (sub)surface processes were responsible for the reworking of the loess. The OSL dates indicate climatically induced landscape dynamism in Great Britain during the latter half of the ninth millennium.     

Single‐Grain Luminescence Dating of Sediment Surrounding a Possible Late Pleistocene Artifact from the Wenas Creek Mammoth Site,Pacific Northwest,USA

Excavations at the Wenas Creek Mammoth Site yielded mammoth, bison, and two possible artifacts in a single colluvial stratum, with radiocarbon bone dates ∼17 ka. Eight infrared‐stimulated luminescence (IRSL) samples were collected to establish general ages of site strata, returning multi‐grain estimates consistent with stratigraphic integrity and the radiocarbon dates. Four additional IRSL samples were collected to estimate the depositional age of one artifact found in place. These produced a pooled total of 94 single‐grain estimates from near the artifact, 80% averaging 16.8 ± 0.9 ka, and 20% averaging 5.1 ± 0.5 ka. These results could be interpreted to demonstrate pre‐Clovis age artifact deposition consistent with the bone dates, or a mid to late Holocene intrusion into older deposits, possibly by bioturbation. The single‐grain IRSL dates do not provide proof of pre‐Clovis presence beyond reasonable doubt at this site, but do show that this technique is valuable in assessing the stratigraphic integrity needed for any such claim.     

Evolution of Quaternary alluvial fans and terraces in the intramontane Pinjaur Dun, Sub-Himalaya, NW India: interaction between tectonics and climate change

Quaternary alluvial fans in the tectonically active Pinjaur Dun, an intramontane valley in the Sub‐Himalaya, were deposited in front of the Nalagarh Thrust and were influenced both by tectonics and glacial climate fluctuations. The surface morphology indicates that an earlier set of first‐order fans (Qf1) became entrenched and onlapped by a series of second‐order fans (Qf2). The younger fan segments were then cut by a pair of terraces (T1 and T2). Quartz optically stimulated luminescence dating establishes that the Qf1 aggradational phase was initiated before 96·5 ± 25·3 ka and terminated after 83·7 ± 16·3 ka. This was followed by a period of incision, before Qf2 fan deposition started at 72·4 ± 13·4 ka and continued until 24·5 ± 4·9 ka. Sediment was deposited on the T1 (upper) and T2 (lower) terraces at 16·3 ± 2·1 and 4·5 ka, respectively, recording a return to overall degradation punctuated by minor deposition on terraces. The period of incision separating the younger and older fan deposits coincided with enhanced SW monsoon precipitation. The subsequent development of the Qf2 fans and their progradation until 20 ka suggest erosional unloading of the thrust hangingwall during a tectonically quiescent phase. Toe cutting, deposition of axial river and lacustrine facies, and retreat of Qf2 around 45 ka, indicate fanward shift of the axial river due to tilting of the valley towards the NE in response to reactivation of the Nalagarh Thrust. The cessation of Qf2 deposition around 20 ka and the onset of through‐fan entrenchment suggest reduced sediment supply but relatively high stream power during the last glacial maxima (LGM). The prolonged stream incision since the cessation of Qf2 deposition, with only minor depositional phases at 16·3 ± 2·1 and 4·5 ka, resulted from high water discharge and low sediment input during intensification of the SW monsoon and vegetation changes in the hinterland.     

New age constraints for the limit of the British–Irish Ice Sheet on the Isles of Scilly

The southernmost terrestrial extent of the Irish Sea Ice Stream (ISIS), which drained a large proportion of the last British–Irish Ice Sheet, impinged on to the Isles of Scilly during Marine Isotope Stage 2. However, the age of this ice limit has been contested and the interpretation that this occurred during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) remains controversial. This study reports new ages using optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating of outwash sediments at Battery, Tresco (25.5 ± 1.5 ka), and terrestrial cosmogenic nuclide exposure dating of boulders overlying till on Scilly Rock (25.9 ± 1.6 ka), which confirm that the ISIS reached the Isles of Scilly during the LGM. The ages demonstrate this ice advance on to the northern Isles of Scilly occurred at ∼26 ka around the time of increased ice‐rafted debris in the adjacent marine record from the continental margin, which coincided with Heinrich Event 2 at ∼24 ka. OSL dating (19.6 ± 1.5 ka) of the post‐glacial Hell Bay Gravel at Battery suggests there was then an ∼5‐ka delay between primary deposition and aeolian reworking of the glacigenic sediment, during a time when the ISIS ice front was oscillating on and around the Llŷn Peninsula, ∼390 km to the north. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Journal of Quaternary Science Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

     

班戈错晚第四纪湖泊发育、湖面变化与藏北高原东南部末次大湖期湖泊演化

班戈错是因湖面阶段性下降而于晚更新世末期从母湖色林错东部分离出来的小离湖.2003年5-7月,我们对班戈湖沿岸进行了详细的地貌与第四纪地质调查,湖面高程及6条剖面湖岸阶地的水准测量,并采集了沿岸及邻区的湖相沉积物样品进行U系年龄测定.研究结果表明,班戈错湖岸阶地共6级,其中T1为与色林错分离后所形成,T2至T6的拔湖高...     

Speleothem record of the last 180 ka in Villars cave (SW France): Investigation of a large δ18O shift between MIS6 and MIS5

The Vil-car-1 flowstone core from Villars cave (SW France) provides one of the first European speleothem records extending back to 180 ka, based on U–Th TIMS and MC-ICP-MS measurements. The core offers a continuous record of Termination II and the Last Interglacial. The penultimate deglaciation is characterized by a prominent 5‰ depletion in calcite δ¹⁸O. Determining which specific environmental factors controlled such a large oxygen isotopic shift offers the opportunity to assess the impact of various factors influencing δ¹⁸O variations in speleothem calcite.Oxygen isotope analyses of fluid inclusions indicate that drip water δ¹⁸O remained within a very narrow range of ±1‰ from Late MIS6 to the MIS5 δ¹⁸O optimum. The possibility of such a stable behaviour is supported by simple calculations of various effects influencing seepage water δ¹⁸O.Although this could suggest that the isotopic shift in calcite is mainly driven by temperature increase, attempts to quantify the temperature shift from Late MIS6 to the MIS5 δ¹⁸O optimum by assuming an equilibrium relationship between calcite and fluid inclusion δ¹⁸O yield unreasonably high estimates of ～20 °C warming and Late MIS6 cave temperatures below 0 °C; this suggests that the flowstone calcite precipitated out of thermodynamic equilibrium at this site.Using a method proposed by Guo et al. (submitted for publication) combining clumped isotope measurements, fluid inclusion and modern calcite δ¹⁸O analyses, it is possible to quantitatively correct for isotopic disequilibrium and estimate absolute paleotemperatures. Although the precision of these absolute temperature reconstructions is limited by analytical uncertainties, the temperature rise between Late MIS6 and the MIS5 optimum can be robustly constrained between 13.2 ± 2.6 and 14.6 ± 2.6 °C (1σ), consistent with existing estimates from Western Europe pollen and sea-surface temperature records.