Describe the environmental and social conditions in the Sahara before it became a desert. Be as specific as you can concerning dates and what sort of evidence is available to historians

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

ANSWER:
The current dry period began about 2500 B.C.E. During the transition to the present conditions, the stretches of desert between grassy and better-watered areas broadened. By about 300 B.C.E., the desert was large enough to restrict passage to a few difficult routes known only to desert nomads. The Sahara had formerly been so well watered that its wildlife included elephants and crocodiles. As desiccation progressed, Africans turned from hunting to cattle herding. When the region could no longer support cattle, horse breeders flourished. Finally, camels became the dominant animal as the desert broadened and permanent settlements could no longer be maintained there. The best evidence historians have is the vast numbers of Saharan rock paintings and engravings, which depict various stages in the evolution of desert life.