Throughout the history of man’s access and use of the oasis area the environment has altered and created changes in man’s habits. It seems that 200,000 – 300,000 years ago there were several large freshwater lakes and artefacts are found along the shorelines. At that time camel, hippopotamus, warthog, African buffalo, ostrich. five water birds, lizards and turtle are identified and indicate a lakeshore environment with savannah-like bush.
By 9,000 BCE the environment has changed to one in which the animal remains still includes elephant and hippopotamus, but also gazells and cattle and goats, which indicate more grassland and bush. There are more snails and rodents and foxes. There would have been a savannah with permanently available water in which hunting, herding anad gathering were possible. Some fish are also available at that time.
After about 3,000 BCE, the oasis area seems to have had a desert climate, with little surface water, but artesian sources for agriculture anad human consumption. The fauna are typically domesticates and small carnivors, birds and rodents. A few large antelopes and gazelles roam the margins.
The present day sees an oasis without surface water but with fossil water that can be mined for consumption and for agriculture. The humidity is low and rainfall occurs perhaps once a decade. Now it is a parched land kept green by man’s enterprise.
