Mid-to-late Holocene climatic changes in the Eastern Mediterranean region: Speleothem-based high-resolution isotope record from Dim Cave, southern Türkiye

Human–environment interactions have been affected by sudden climate changes in the Eastern Mediterranean region for thousands of years. Recent studies project a 20% decrease in precipitation by the end of this century compared to the 20th century. Therefore, high-resolution paleoclimate data are needed to develop robust future climate projections and modeling studies for the Eastern Mediterranean. This study investigates the mid-to-late Holocene paleoclimatic shifts and their impacts on civilizations in the Eastern Mediterranean using high-resolution isotope records from the Dim-3 stalagmite (Dim Cave, southern Türkiye). A precise and robust age–depth model was constructed using 23 U/Th dating results, spanning from 4149 to 996 years (yr) BP. The isotope results show the driest conditions occurring at 3986 yr BP, with a rapid shift to wetter conditions after 3890 yr BP. These wetter conditions were followed by a prolonged dry period from 3280 to 2720 yr BP. A subsequent wet period between 2720 and 2228 yr BP was interrupted by a 698-year growth hiatus in the stalagmite. In the final section of the record (1530–972 yr BP), initially wet climatic conditions transitioned to drier periods around 1425 yr BP and again between 1150 and 1075 yr BP. The Dim-3 isotope record shows enriched isotopic values between 4140 and 3890 yr BP, coinciding with the “4.2 ka drying event.” While a brief humid period was observed between 3050 and 2920 yr BP, the overall isotope values show an enriched trend from 3250 to 2800 yr BP, indicating the imprint of the 3.2 ka and Bond 2 events.