Pre-Islamic Oasis Settlements in the Southern Sahara

Pre-Islamic oasis settlements in the southern Sahara, particularly those around mountain massifs like Ennedi, Tibesti, Aïr, and Tassili n’Ajjer, are characterized by limited agricultural suitability due to variable rainfall and dynamic wadi systems. These regions, though historically important for pastoralism, lack stable conditions for oasis agriculture, contributing to the poor preservation of archaeological remains. The study highlights that while these areas once supported crocodile populations—evidenced by 19th- and early-20th-century reports—their environmental constraints have hindered long-term settlement stability.

Sterry, M., & Mattingly, D. J. (2020). Pre-Islamic Oasis Settlements in the Southern Sahara. Urbanisation and State Formation in the Ancient Sahara and Beyond, 277–329. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108637978.008