Recent research reveals that the vast deserts of the Arabian Peninsula were once home to expansive lakes and rivers, supporting lush vegetation and human habitation.
Key Points at a Glance
- The Empty Quarter (Rub’ al-Khali) was once covered by a lake reaching depths of 42 meters.
- This transformation occurred during the “Green Arabia” period, approximately 11,000 to 5,500 years ago.
- Increased rainfall from expanded monsoon systems led to the formation of grasslands and savannahs.
- These favorable conditions facilitated human migration and settlement in the region.
- The return of arid conditions prompted subsequent human dispersal.
The Empty Quarter, known as Rub’ al-Khali in Arabic, stands today as one of the world’s largest continuous sand deserts, spanning nearly 650,000 square kilometers across the Arabian Peninsula. Towering dunes, some reaching heights of 250 meters, dominate this arid landscape. However, recent research has unveiled a strikingly different past for this region, suggesting that it was once a thriving habitat teeming with life and human activity.
An international team of scientists, including researchers from the University of Geneva (UNIGE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia, and other institutions, conducted a comprehensive study revealing that the Empty Quarter was once home to a vast lake and an extensive network of rivers. These water bodies emerged during the “Green Arabia” period, a phase of increased rainfall that lasted from approximately 11,000 to 5,500 years ago, marking the end of the Quaternary era.
During this period, the lake is estimated to have covered an area of 1,100 square kilometers—almost twice the size of Lake Geneva—and reached depths of up to 42 meters. The increased precipitation, attributed to the northward expansion of the African and Indian monsoon systems, led to the formation of grasslands and savannahs. These lush environments provided ideal conditions for human migration and settlement, as evidenced by archaeological findings in the region.
However, as the climate shifted back to arid conditions, these water sources dried up, leading to the desertification of the area and prompting human populations to move in search of more hospitable environments. This research not only sheds light on the dynamic climatic history of the Arabian Peninsula but also underscores the profound impact of climate change on human societies and migration patterns.
Understanding these historical climate fluctuations is crucial for modern-day considerations, as they offer insights into how current and future climate changes may influence human habitats and movements. The study serves as a reminder of the intricate relationship between environmental transformations and human history.
Source: Université de Genève
