Age and Paleoclimatic Implications of the Bet Shean Travertines

Abstract
From 41,000 to over 22,000 yr B.P., a massive and areally extensive spring travertine was deposited in the Bet Shean Valley, Israel. This travertine is coeval with the Ami'az Member of the Lisan Formation which represents a high lake stand. The travertine deposition is contemporaneous with a more active hydrologic regime associated with wetter conditions in the arid zones of the southern Levant adjacent to southern Israel. These wetter conditions facilitated formation of a widespread spring tufa and also enhanced the water levels of Lake Lisan.