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A 1.62 m sediment core was retrieved from one of the landlocked freshwater lakes (L-6) in the Schirmacher Oasis (SO), East Antarctica during the 24th Indian Antarctic Expedition (2004-2006). The sediment core samples were analyzed for Total Organic Carbon (TOC), Biogenic Silica (BSi), grain size and elemental concentration ratios (Mg/Ca and Mn/Fe). The sediment core represents the time period of last similar to 11.6 cal ka BP as ascertained by AMS C-14 radiocarbon dates. The sedimentation accumulation rate variation of similar to 13.6 cm/ka from similar to 11.6 to similar to 10 cal ka BP reveals a warm phase followed by a low sedimentation accumulation rate of similar to 2.9 cm/ka from similar to 10 ka BP to similar to 3.1 ka BP, indicating a cold period in the region. The sedimentation accumulation rate again increased from similar to 3.1 cal ka BP to recent with a maximum of similar to 88 cm/ka which reveals the initiation of glacier retreat or ice-free conditions in the study area. The Total Organic Carbon (TOC) is <2% from similar to 10 to similar to 3.1 cal ka BP indicating a prolonged colder phase in the study area. However, elevated TOC, BSi and Mg/Ca ratio since similar to 3.1 cal ka BP to recent points indicates towards ice-free conditions (continental ice sheet retreat) and subsequently high productivity in the region. Moreover, the productivity was higher at the Pleistocene-Holocene boundary as evidenced by the Mg/CA, Mn/Fe ratio and Biogenic Silica (BSi). The present study identified a colder phase (or re-advancement of continental ice sheet) during the early to mid-Holocene and initiation of ice-free or continental ice-sheet retreat during the late Holocene and their implications on the productivity changes. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd and INQUA. All rights reserved.