Geological exploration history of the Eastern Sahara

The major contributions to our knowledge of the geological history of the East Saharan countries are described. Much work has been published on the history and progress of geographical, socioeconomic and archaeological exploration in North Africa. Little attention, however, has been paid to the question of how our knowledge of the geology of this vast area was developed. Thus, even though progress in geology is vital to the development of Saharan countries, little has been recorded of this progress. Without an understanding of regional geology and without a good knowledge of groundwater, mineral and petroleum potentials, these countries would be in very different situations today. The author has, over the last 35 years, been involved in scientific research and exploration of petroleum, mineral and groundwater resources in Libya, Egypt, Sudan and Chad.