The approach to Traza, an ancient salt mine. It was abandoned 300 years ago in favor of Taodeni. Pottery sherds, stone beads, arrowheads can be found if you have sharp eyes. MaliOur guides study the rope like dunes of Erg Chech, searching for a way through. Mali.Araouane was once an important source of water for the caravans. Now it is being inundated with the encroaching sand of the SaharaThis house would be covered with sand without the daily efforts of the inhabitants.The madrasa of Araouane. This is a religious school. The teacher is an Imam. He is supposed to be especially holy and many men of the caravans ask for his blessings.Panorama of Araouane. Sky and sand surround the small village.Ridges of sand dunes in Morocco's Erg ChebbiDunes reflected in a lake formed after the rains in Morocco's Erg ChebbiShadows of dunes in Morocco's Erg ChebbiThe evening light brings out the gold of the sand in Mauritania's sahara.Berber girls ride from their tent to fetch waterGirl returning with water. Evening light. Erg Chebbi, MoroccoThe golden dunes of MauritaniaThe black rocky desert is called Hamada. Dunes comprise only 10 to 15 % of the Sahara.Unusual blue rocks are found in MaliRipples formed by the windblown sand collecting at the base of plants. As the mounds of sand become larger travel by 4x4 becomes more difficult. For camels as well.Dunes in the shape of sea mammals.A lone man leads his camels through the desert. The camels are loaded with goods to trade. This man is a Moor and he is confident traveling in the desert alone.
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The black rocky desert is called Hamada. Dunes comprise only 10 to 15 % of the Sahara.