In 1974, American archaeologist Fred Wendorf discovered Nabta Playa while surveying Egypt's western desert near the Sudanese border. This ancient dry lake basin holds pottery, bones, and stone tools spanning back to ~7500 BC — plus multi-ton standing stones, stone circles, and cattle burials. Remarkable find!
Archaeologist Fred Wendorf discovers prehistoric Nabta Playa, Egypt site in southern Egypt (1974)
Site mentioned
📍 Nabta Playa, Egypt🌍 Show on the globe
Key facts
- American archaeologist Fred Wendorf discovered the site in 1974 while leading a survey team through the western desert of southern Egypt, near the Sudanese border
- Site is a dry lake basin (playa) that once held a seasonal lake
- Surface debris included pottery, animal bones, and stone tools indicating repeated human occupation over thousands of years
- Site's occupation stretches back to approximately 10,000 BC
- Features include standing stones weighing several tons, stone circles, and cattle burials
Sources
nature.com
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