In a recent publication by The American Museum of Natural History revealed that 40% of the Sahara Desert was under water over 50 million plus years ago.
Known as the Trans-Saharan Seaway, the region has undergone many transitional changes altering the geographical makeup of the area. The West African region has for the past twenty years been the focus of field research for scientists, who have explored and studied fossil and rock deposits.
What they have found is that, not only was this region under water but it also contained plenty of aquatic life. Another interesting find, is that the conditions at the time may have created some gigantic species like catfish and sea snakes.
The hot desert was once full of sea life.