A vast Eemian palaeolake in Southern Jordan (29°N)

For the first time, a large Eemian paleolake was observed by 29°N in the Mudawwara depression (Southern Jordan) which prolongates into Saudi Arabia. Lacustrine coquina shows that vast lake complexes existed in the depression during oxygen isotope stages (OIS) 7a–6e, 5e and 5c–a. These ages correlate with those of Sahara Pleistocene paleolakes and bring into question the range of monsoonal and Mediterranean rainfall over the Arabian Peninsula during the Last Interglacial. The presence of Levallois–Mousterian artefacts along the lake shores indicates that the area was inhabited during these periods.