Stable isotopes confirm the Banwell Bone Cave Mammal Assemblage Zone represents an MIS 5 fauna

Abstract The position of the Banwell Bone Cave mammal assemblage zone (MAZ) in mammalian biostratigraphy British Isles has been focus debate for decades. Dominated by fauna typical cold environments it was originally linked to marine oxygen isotope stage (MIS) 4 stadial (ca. 72–59 ka). Subsequently argued that MAZ more likely relates temperate interstadial MIS 5a 86–72 It is envisioned “cold fauna” such as bison and reindeer moved into Britain during 5b 90 ka) were subsequently isolated rising sea level 5a. Here we investigate environmental conditions using bone collagen ? 13 C 15 N tooth enamel 18 O analysis. We analyse from type-site, Cave. Our results show unusually high values, which ascribe arid within a environment. Palaeotemperature estimates derived indicate warm temperatures, similar present day. These confirm supports its correlation rather than 4.