‘Green Arabia’: Saudi Arabia’s vast deserts were once rivers, lakes and grasslands, studies show
New scientific studies show Saudi Arabia’s deserts were once humid, green landscapes shaped by rivers, lakes and monsoon rains. Evidence from archaeology, satellite mapping, lake sediments and cave stalagmites reveals repeated human settlement during wet phases of the Quaternary. The findings underpin modern Saudi efforts to combat desertification, revive ‘Green Arabia’, and restore degraded land at unprecedented scale nationwide today.
New scientific studies show Saudi Arabia’s deserts were once humid, green landscapes shaped by rivers, lakes and monsoon rains. Evidence from archaeology, satellite mapping, lake sediments and cave stalagmites reveals repeated human settlement during wet phases of the Quaternary. The findings underpin modern Saudi efforts to combat desertification, revive ‘Green Arabia’, and restore degraded land at unprecedented scale nationwide today.
