Kalahari Desert Was Home to Ancient Humans More Than 20,000 Years Ago

At the site of Ga-Mohana Hill in the southern Kalahari of South Africa, archaeologists discovered and characterized relict tufas, which are remnants of once-flowing streams, waterfalls, and small pool

The Kalahari is often thought to be a hostile environment unsuitable for early human existence. According to a new study, in PLoS One,¹ the desert used to be much greener and wetter than it is now. Humans were able to survive and even flourish in these wet environments.

Top: map of South Africa with the location of Ga-Mohana Hill (GHN); inset map shows …