Understanding past climatic and hydrological variability in the Mediterranean from Lake Prespa sediment isotope and geochemical record over the Last Glacial cycle

► Geochemical and isotope data from sediments from Lake Prespa fall into MIS 1-5. ► In the Glacial the data show cooler summers and longer winter ice cover. ► The Holocene was more humid with two marked arid phases. ► Glacial siderite layers represent unusual conditions forced by environmental change.