A Green Sahara

Study finds ancient North Africa was much more lush than previously thought

Today the Sahara is a vast desert spanning more than 3.5 million square miles in northern Africa. But as recently as 6,000 years ago it was a verdant landscape, with sprawling vegetation and numerous lakes. Ancient cave paintings in the region depict hippos in watering holes, and roving herds of elephants and giraffesa vibrant contrast with todays barren, inhospitable terrain.