An Egyptian oasis

The author presents a detailed account of a Libyan-Desert oasis, combining topography, geology, and human history. He describes the physical layout, extinct lakes, and the subterranean aqueducts and artesian water-sources that sustain cultivation. The book surveys archaeological remains and monuments from successive ancient regimes and documents an Early Christian necropolis. It examines sand-dune dynamics, methods of boring and water extraction, and land-reclamation experiments. Maps, photographs, and plans illustrate caravan routes, geology, and aqueducts. Practical economic observations on irrigation, village life, and the ongoing struggle between cultivation and encroaching desert conclude the study.