Abstract:

The Doush Temple in Kharga Oasis -Egypt- represents a unique case for geoarchaeological study, providing insights into the interaction between human activity and environmental changes in an arid landscape. This research investigates the temple's construction and the surrounding site's historical layers, revealing that the temple was built over earlier, buried structures, potentially an ancient village or fort. The widespread presence of pottery sherds across the site, especially atop sand-buried ruins, suggests continuous human occupation even after desertification affected the area. The study combines archaeological findings with geomorphological analysis to explore how environmental factors, such as sand accumulation and climate shifts, influenced the region’s settlement patterns. These findings contribute to a broader understanding of how ancient civilizations in desert regions adapted to and modified their environments to sustain life and culture.