Pima County Public Library: The Sahara Desert – Archaeology, Geology and Caravans

In the spring of 2001, John Barthelme signed onto a working camel caravan that transported salt slabs from northern Mali to Timbuktu, a 950 kilometer 4-week journey across the Sahara Desert.  Along the way, he conducted research, learned how to live in the deep desert with the Touareg and Arab caravanners, and gracefully discovered his own mortality.

Hear excerpts from John’s caravan journal while learning about the geology and archaeology of the Sahara Desert.

Presented by John Barthelme, retired Professor of Anthropology