Abstract
Evidence of moisture conditions in the semi-arid region of the Levant during the deglaciation period, 15,000 to 8,000 yr BP, is reviewed. This evidence is derived from a wide variety of sources: sediment characteristics, dune movement, lake levels, soil calcic horizons and their isotopic composition, vertebrate faunas, the isotopic composition and size of land snail shells, pollen, and human population density. From 15,000-11,000 yr BP, relatively wet conditions prevailed, apparently as a result of a more southerly location of the subtropical high pressure belt. A short (<1000 yr) period of extremely dry conditions apparently followed. From c. 10,000-8,000 yr BP, conditions were wet again. Very little information is available on shorter-term (decadal) climatic fluctuations.
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© 1987 D. Reidel Publishing Company, Dordrecht, Holland
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Magaritz, M., Goodfriend, G.A. (1987). Movement of the Desert Boundary in the Levant from Latest Pleistocene to Early Holocene. In: Berger, W.H., Labeyrie, L.D. (eds) Abrupt Climatic Change. NATO ASI Series, vol 216. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-3993-6_17
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-3993-6_17
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