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Desert Slides

Deserts

Describe the type of clothing that would be most comfortable and practical in the deserts of Arabia.	Men wore a loose, lightweight, ankle-length gown called a thawb. It was like an air conditioner, since it let air circulate around the wearer whenever he moved around. The headdress, called a ghutra, protected the head from dust, heat, and flies. Women wore long-sleeved gowns that reached the feet.
Using the resources available, what type of shelter could people build to give them the best protection in the desert?	The nomads of Arabia lived in tents. A tent was usually made of black goat’s hair, and had very few furnishings. It could easily be moved. Some people believe that the word “Arab” means “he who dwells in a movable tent,” so some nomads did not believe a person living in a village or town should be called an Arab.
What form of transportation would be most efficient in an environment like the Arabian Peninsula?	Camels were called “the ship of the desert,” because they could travel long distances without food or drink while carrying heavy loads. They were used for at least 1,500 years before Mohammed’s birth for food, leather, and wool, as well as for transportation. They have a third pair of eyelids for protection from sand, dirt, etc., and can eat thorns, leather, cloth, or bone. They can also close their nostrils for protection from windblown sand.

Oases

Why would the date palm be considered a perfect form of vegetation for the dry climate of Arabia?	They needed water only for their roots, not for the fruit clusters. Dates were a leading food as well as a leading trade good. The wood could be used for fuel and for building houses. Tree trunks could be hollowed out to make pipes for irrigation. Leaves were used for thatch, fibers for rope, and stalks for fuel.
Why would oases be important for trade in the Arabian Peninsula?	Oases were the source of water and pasture for camels. Nomads traveled from one oasis to another, seeking pasture. Traders met and traded at oases, including Makkah (Mecca) and Ta’if. Two of the most important goods were myrrh and frankincense, which are only found in Arabia. They were used for a number of purposes, such as insect repellant, medicine, and perfume.

Coastal Plains

Why would cities develop along the coastal plain of Arabia?	There a few deep harbors but no rivers in Arabia. By 3000 B.C., Arabs in the coastal areas were trading with Sumerians to the northeast and Indians to the southeast. Arabs probably navigated close to shore and traded with people in settlements along the way.
How would life in the coastal plain differ from life in the interior of the Arabian Peninsula?	The coastal plain had an important advantage over other areas: rich agriculture. This allowed the development of complex civilizations. Sabaean civilization lasted from 600 B.C. to about A.D. 1, then slowly decayed.

Mountains

How could people living in the mountains prevent rainwater from running down the mountainside and instead use it for agriculture?	Terraces were built into the sides of the mountains and fertilized with manure and ashes. The terraces trapped rainwater and made it possible for farmers to grow dates, oranges, and other exotic crops.
Why might the culture of the mountains remain less changed for a longer period of time than other Arabian cultures?	The mountains tended to seal off (isolate) the people from the desert and other places. The people preserved their customs and traditions for hundreds of years.

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