Archaeological discoveries in Chad’s Ennedi Natural and Cultural Reserve are shedding new light on the Sahara Desert’s remarkable environmental history. Thousands of prehistoric rock carvings depicting elephants, giraffes, crocodiles, and other wildlife reveal that the region was once a lush landscape supporting abundant life. Scientists confirm the desert cycles between wet and dry phases driven by Earth’s orbital wobble, with the last “humid period” ending roughly 5,500 years ago. Researchers from Helsinki and Bristol universities are modeling these cycles to understand how they shaped early human migration out of Africa. Some researchers believe human-driven climate change may be increasing rainfall across parts of the Sahara, potentially triggering an earlier-than-expected regreening. However, others argue the evidence remains inconclusive. Meanwhile, archaeologists continue racing to document Ennedi’s fragile rock art before erosion and changing environmental conditions erase irreplaceable evidence of humanity’s distant past.
Smithsonian Magazine