How were deserts used in the past?

In the past, deserts were often seen as barriers to travel and trade, but they were also utilized for their resources. Nomadic tribes adapted to harsh conditions, using desert landscapes for grazing livestock and trading goods. Additionally, deserts provided valuable minerals and salt, which were essential for trade and preservation of food. Some ancient cultures, like the Egyptians, even used desert areas for burial sites and to extract resources like stone for construction.