Radiocarbon chronology of late Pleistocene Konya lake, Turkey

Abstract

The Konya basin in south central Turkey, which is now largely dry, was formerly occupied by an extensive lake1,2. Although the lake is generally considered to be of glacial age, its precise chronology has remained uncertain3. We report here preliminary 14C dates on shells which suggest that lake level attained its last maximum 23,000–17,000 yr ago. We further propose that its subsequent retreat reflects a late glacial climate that was dry as well as cold.