What kinds of plants and animals lived
in and around the ancient lake? Were
there humans here? Fossils found in the
old lake sediments help us reconstruct
that environment. Junipers covered the
mountains and extensive marshlands
surrounded the lake. Large populations
of waterbirds visited the lake, and
mammals such as camels, mastadons
and saber-toothed tigers may have lived
here. What happened to all this life as
the lake grew smaller and saltier?
