Sahara Desert Collection (#5)

A Sand Wind on the Desert, 1821. Artist: Denis Dighton
A Sand Wind on the Desert, 1821. In 1818 George Francis Lyon and Joseph Ritchie undertook an expedition to try to map the course of the River Niger and locate the city of Timbuktu

An excavated temple at the foot of the Sphinx, Giza, Egypt, 4th March 1862. Artist
An excavated temple at the foot of the Sphinx, Giza, Egypt, 4th March 1862

Camel Conveying a Bride to her Husband, 1821. Artist: Denis Dighton
Camel Conveying a Bride to her Husband, 1821. Plate 16 from A Narrative of Travels in Northen Africa by Captain George Francis Lyon, 1821

Stern Reality, or Last but not Least, 1908. Artist: Lance Thackeray
Stern Reality, or Last but not Least, 1908. From The Light Side of Egypt, 1908

Should Women Ride Astride?, 1908. Artist: Lance Thackeray
Should Women Ride Astride?, 1908. From The Light Side of Egypt, 1908

Cup and Ball-the camels favourite game, 1908. Artist: Lance Thackeray
Cup and Ball-the camels favourite game, 1908. From The Light Side of Egypt, 1908

Posing at the Pyramids, 1908. Artist: Lance Thackeray
Posing at the Pyramids, 1908. From The Light Side of Egypt, 1908

North Africa, Morocco, Southern Morocco, landscape of M Hamid, of the Draa valley

Cleopatras Pool, Siwa, Egypt. An oasis in the Libyan desert, Siwa became famous from the 7th century BC as the site of the oracle temple of Amon

Jebel at Takrur from Siwa, Egypt. An oasis in the Libyan desert, Siwa became famous from the 7th century BC as the site of the oracle temple of Amon

View of Siwa from Aghurmi, Egypt, 1992. An oasis in the Libyan desert, Siwa became famous from the 7th century BC as the site of the oracle temple of Amon

Ruined citadel, Siwa, Egypt, 1992. An oasis in the Libyan desert, Siwa became famous from the 7th century BC as the site of the oracle temple of Amon

Camels, Trans Atlas road, Morocco

Todra Gorge, Morocco

Erfoud, eastern Morocco

Tinerhir, Morocco. Tinerhir is an oasis in the Wadi Todgha in the south-eastern foothills of the Atlas mountains on the edge of the Sahara Desert

Sijilmasa (Sijilmassa), Morocco. Sijilmasa was a city on the edge of the Sahara at the northern end of the Trans-Sahara trade route. It was destroyed by nomadic raiders in 1818

Ruined Citadel, Siwah, Egypt
Ruined citadel, Siwah, Egypt. Alexander the Great (356-323 BC) visited Siwahs oracle of Zeus Amon (the Ancient Greek god Zeus represented with the rams horns of the Ancient Egyptian god Amon)

Sahara, c1930s
Sahara. Immured within the green litter which sways perilously from side to side, a woman of Islam is borne across the desert, c1930s. From Geographical Magazine, Volume 5

On the Tripoli road, c1942 (1944)
On the Tripoli Road. The gun is firing at an enemy strongpoint delaying the advance. In the foreground a wounded gunner is tended by one of his comrades, c1942 (1944)

August at Alamein, 1942 (1944)
August at Alamein. The Prime Minister comes to see the men of the Eighth Army. He is with General Freyberg, New Zealand Commander, 1942 (1944)

Ambulance men with a wounded anti-tank gunner, c1942 (1944). A wounded soldier of the British Eighth Army in the North African desert. From The Eighth Army

Maps and plans are spread on the sand, 1942 (1944)
Maps and plans are spread on the sand as the Brigadier takes his decisions and gives his orders, 1942 (1944). At the beginning of November 1942 the Eighth Army defeated Rommel in the decisive Second

Victors of the Western Desert in Conference, 1941. General Sir Archibald Wavell (1883-1950) and Major-General R. N. O Connor (1889?-981) discussing the final assault on Bardia, January 5th, 1941

Unhappy the Caproni They Happen to Spot, 1941. Allied soldiers in the Western Desert during World War II. From The War Illustrated: Volume 4 edited by Sir John Hammerton

Stepped pyramid of King Djoser, Saqqara, Egypt, c1890. Artist: Newton & Co
Stepped pyramid of King Djoser, Saqqara, Egypt, c1890. Djoser (Zozer) was the second pharaoh of the 3rd dynasty of the Old Kingdom of Ancient Egypt

Mapping in the sand, Halfa to Shellal, Egypt, 1926 (1927). Artist: Thomas A Glover
Mapping in the sand, Halfa to Shellal, Egypt, 1926 (1927). A print from Cape to Cairo, by Stella Court Treatt, George G Harrap & Company Ltd, 1927

Aerial view of the Pyramids of Giza, Egypt, from a Zeppelin, 1931 (1933). A photograph from Zeppelin-Weltfahrten, Vom ersten Luftschiff 1899 bis zu den Fahrten des LZ127 Graf Zeppelin 1932, Dresden

Aerial view of archaeological excavations near Saqqara, Egypt, 1931 (1933). A photograph from Zeppelin-Weltfahrten, Vom ersten Luftschiff 1899 bis zu den Fahrten des LZ127 Graf Zeppelin 1932

Powder play, Morocco. A print from Customs of the World, Volume II Hutchinson and Co, Paternoster Row, London

Tuaregs on a journey, North Africa, 1895. Artist: Ivan Pranishnikoff
Tuaregs on a journey, North Africa, 1895. From The Universal Geography with Illustrations and Maps, division XXII, written by Elisee Reclus and published by Virtue & Co. Limited (London, 1895)

A Targui man, 1895. Artist: Henri Thiriat
A Targui man, 1895. From The Universal Geography with Illustrations and Maps, division XXII, written by Elisee Reclus and published by Virtue & Co. Limited (London, 1895)

The Sahara Desert, North Africa, 1895. Artist: Barbant
The Sahara Desert, North Africa, 1895. As seen from the Spa Pass, north-west of Biskra. From The Universal Geography with Illustrations and Maps, division XXII

Jebel Khanfusa, the Sahara Desert, North Africa, 1895. Artist: Barbant
Jebel Khanfusa, the Sahara Desert, North Africa, 1895. From The Universal Geography with Illustrations and Maps, division XXII, written by Elisee Reclus and published by Virtue & Co

Cliffs of the Igharghar, taken from the north of Temassinin, c1890. Artist: Armand Kohl
Cliffs of the Igharghar, taken from the north of Temassinin, c1890. Tunisian landscape. Illustration from The Universal Geography with Illustrations and Maps, Division XXI, (Virtue & Co Limited)

Nomad encampment, Sahara, c1890. Artist: Hildibrand
Nomad encampment, Sahara, c1890. Illustration from The Universal Geography with Illustrations and Maps, Division XXI, (Virtue & Co Limited, London, c1890)

Two Arabs riding camels in the Sahara Desert, Africa, 1936. Artist: Fox Photos
Two Arabs riding camels in the Sahara Desert, Africa, 1936. From Peoples of the World in Pictures, edited by Harold Wheeler, published by Odhams Press Ltd (London, 1936)

Tunisian boy in the Sahara Desert, 1936. Artist: Ewing Galloway
Tunisian boy in the Sahara Desert, 1936. From Peoples of the World in Pictures, edited by Harold Wheeler, published by Odhams Press Ltd (London, 1936)

Woman on a camel tour, Egypt, c1920s-c1930s(?)

Camel tour, Giza, Egypt, c1920s-c1930s(?). The head of the Great Sphinx can be seen in the right background

Camel tour in front of one of the Pyramids of Giza, Egypt, c1920s-c1930s(?)

Dr Heinrich Barth, German geographer and explorer, (c1900)
Dr Heinrich Barth, German geographer and explorer, at Timbuktu, Mali, (c1900). Heinrich Barth (1821-1865) was a member of the expedition commanded by James Richardson

Caravan camp, Sahara Desert, late 19th century. Artist: John L Stoddard
Caravan camp, Sahara Desert, late 19th century. Berber or Bedouin family and their tents. Photograph from Portfolio of Photographs, of Famous Scenes, Cities and Paintings by John L Stoddard

Dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius) herd in a gorge with water on the Ennedi plateau. Ennedi Natural and Cultural Reserve, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Chad. September 2019

Dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius) and calf at water, Ennedi Natural and Cultural Reserve, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Chad. September 2019

Eroded sandstone rock formations with Dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) grazing on new grass after desert rains. Ennedi Natural And Cultural Reserve, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Chad

Congo map, central Africa from 1895
Illustration of a Congo map, central Africa from 1895

Stone desert, Libyan Desert, Libya, Sahara, North Africa, Africa

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The Sahara Desert, located in North Africa, is a vast expanse of arid land that stretches across multiple countries. Its significance can be traced back to ancient times, as depicted on the Map of Egypt. The desert has been witness to countless tales and adventures, such as Arabs fighting tigers amidst its harsh conditions. Explorers have ventured into this unforgiving landscape throughout history, with EXPL2A-00139 marking one of their expeditions. The Map of Africa showcases the most recent discoveries made within its borders, including the Island of St. , while Camels in the Sahara Desert symbolize the resilience required to survive here. Over time, maps like those from 1883 and 1902 have documented changes in African territories but also highlighted the enduring presence of this formidable desert. Kasbah Ait Benhaddou stands as a testament to an ancient fortified village along a caravan route connecting Marrakech and the Sahara Desert – now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Innovation has found its way even into these barren lands; traditional houses equipped with solar panels demonstrate how locals adapt to modern needs while respecting their environment. Tombouctou (Timbuktu), immortalized by painted road signs pointing towards it, represents both an elusive destination and a symbol of historical importance. The Sahara's inhabitants include Berber people who have forged deep connections with their surroundings over generations. A Berber man standing proudly beside his camel embodies their nomadic lifestyle intertwined with survival skills passed down through time. Douz serves as a gateway for many adventurers seeking experiences within this vast desert landscape – offering glimpses into life amidst shifting dunes and endless horizons. The Sahara Desert captivates our imagination with its rich history, diverse landscapes, and resilient communities that thrive against all odds.