Hydroclimate reconstruction through MIS 3 in the Middle Paleolithic site of Crvena Stijena (Montenegro) based on hydrogen-isotopic composition of sedimentary n-alkanes

This study presents a hydroclimatic reconstruction from Crvena Stijena (Montenegro, Balkan Peninsula), rock shelter that has yielded evidence for Middle Paleolithic human occupation. The integration of lipid biomarkers, hydrogen (δD) isotopic compositions n -alkanes, and organic elemental geochemistry in the 7-m deep vertical sedimentary sequence enables main hydrological environmental changes during MIS 3 their correlation with presence at site. We apply agglomerative hierarchical clustering principal component analysis to geochemical, molecular, stable data obtain robust record. find three aridity trends studied period, one them correlated Heinrich Event 5, humid cold-temperate conditions archaeology-rich layers. Our dataset also contributes knowledge past variability Peninsula, sensitive area short-lived climatic shifts, overall, Mediterranean region last glacial/interglacial cycle. • Hydrogen isotopes leaf waxes as paleohydrological proxy. Hydroclimatic site Stijena. Three 7 m-deep (MIS 4/3 2). Archaeology-rich layers show depleted -alkanes δD values.