Stalagmite evidence for the onset of the Last Interglacial in southern Europe at 129 ± 1 ka

Multi‐proxy data from an Italian stalagmite constrain the commencement of full Last Interglacial conditions in southern Europe at 129 ± 1 ka, consistent with absolutely dated records currently available from both hemispheres. The post‐glacial transition towards warmer and wetter conditions commenced at 134 ± 2 ka. Oxygen isotope evidence suggests this was interrupted briefly at 130 ± 2 ka, an event probably related to the ‘Termination II pause’ associated with Heinrich Event 11. For most of the stalagmite, the pattern of δ 18 O variation mimics the air temperature record from the Vostok ice core, especially through marine isotope stage 5. There is no obvious evidence for substantial ‘early interglacial’ warming.