A 5 m sediment core taken from Lake Kestel in southwestern Anatolia, Turkey, was analyzed for high molecular saturated fatty acids (≧C20 FAs) as a paleoclimatic indicator.In the present paper, we discussed the correlation between the fluctuations in ≧C20 FA concentrations and precipitation in Anatolia over the last 2,000 years based on previous pollen records. The discussion led to the following conclusion:1) The amounts of precipitation about 1,800 to 1,300 years ago were extremely low leading to very dry climatic conditions.2) From 1,300 to 600 years ago, the precipitation increased gradually to a level similar to that of the present with some fluctuations into very low precipitation. From about 600 years ago to the recent past, a wet climate had prevailed.3) From 200 to 40 years ago, the precipitation temporarily increased to about 1.5 times its previous level. Thereafter, it tended to decrease considerably
