Archaeologica.org

[img][img]http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h298/ ... arison.jpg[/img][/img]

Here is a comparison that I found Min. The top image is a view of the current surface features of the Sahara.

The second pic reveals the surface features as they were in ancient times. Rivers and lakes are readily visible.

Wow...good question about the forests, btw.

The ancient Sahara is fascinating, but I see GH comparing it to the Bolivian Altiplano. I'm not sure there is a good comparison but I'll see what I can find.

http://jsedres.sepmonline.org/cgi/conte ... t/69/3/597

Climate and lake-level history of the northern Altiplano, Bolivia, as recorded in Holocene sediments of the Rio Desaguadero

There is this small article that, when compared to the Sahara, do approximate the same climate patterns.

Lake Titicaca is about 3,800 meters above sea level which is what...10,000 feet give or take? The Sahara is not that high.
I know when I leave Phoenix to drive north, every 2,000 of elevation yields a new type of vegetation. The cactus which grows down here in the valley can't handle anything more than about 3,000 feet.

The altiplano is a little over 12,000 ft altitude iirc. We posted at the same time . so see my article above.

We have the "high desert" here in NA, in the Sierras. In fact I think the Calico site is there. And it was once lush. Cogs would know more about that.

Rainfall should handle the lush part. I guess the question is, why does the rainfall vary.

I don't think a climatologist could give an exact answer to that. But, Two things are clear to me.

We live on a water planet. It's stunningly clear from space.
And we have periodic temperature fluctuations.

Water properties allow it to exist in three states. Solid, liquid, and gas.
Our existence revolves around that simple statement.

When it's cold - lotta ice. When it's warmer - lotta water. With that change comes rainfall pattern fluctuation. Beyond that simple observation, you're asking the wrong guy.

Min, that's a great comparison photo of the old and new desert area.
Makes me think that beneath all that sand, down where the old surface is,
is a lot of archeological information. Get out those shovels.!

I don't put up a lot of pics Stan, so I would have thought Min also.
I agree completely that the Sahara is an archaeological treaure trove. I also believe that it is the birthplace of modern man.

Even as a young man, I believed that the Sahara was once the "Garden of Eden" and that going "East of Eden" was metaphorical for the great migration that took place during the climate change.

Alas, I'm not a young man anymore.

(I didn't realize that you're also a painter/artist)

That BBC article mentioned over 100 archaeological sites in th elast 30 years. Given what must be the horrific conditions of working there I suppose we should be grateful. The Club likes its comforts, you know!

Anyway, if I were looking for people who may have built the sphinx before the area dried up, that is where I would start.

Anyway, if I were looking for people who may have built the sphinx before the area dried up, that is where I would start.

I believe that as well.

Ultimately, I suppose that is all that JAW is saying.

Sorry, Beagle! My bad for not crediting you with posting those sat photos.
I couldn't determine the source...were they on the web, or did you scan them from a printed source?
I would like to see more, perhaps an enlargement.
I tried to find it on te web without success, although I did find some interesting...nay, amazing satellite shots of the sahara. And I though it was just a lot of sand!

As to my painting, ...I've done just about everything "visual."
I was an art major and have Masters in Fine Arts as well.

stan wrote:Sorry, Beagle! My bad for not crediting you with posting those sat photos.
I couldn't determine the source...were they on the web, or did you scan them from a printed source?
I would like to see more, perhaps an enlargement.
I tried to find it on te web without success, although I did find some interesting...nay, amazing satellite shots of the sahara. And I though it was just a lot of sand!

As to my painting, ...I've done just about everything "visual."
I was an art major and have Masters in Fine Arts as well.

Hey Stan. I googled "ancient Sahara", and then I clicked on images. I think that pic was on the second page. I agree with you that the Sahara holds much of the mystery of modern man.

About your M.A. Stan I couldn't hold any kind of intelligent conversation with you about the fine arts. Not that I wouldn't want to, But I got on a fast track pretty early and I just didn't get any art appreciation. I'm the poorer for it.

Pretty neat stuff you're doing.