Lake Chad is an endorheic lake located in the far west of Chad, where its shores are shared by four countries: Chad, Cameroon, Niger, and Nigeria. The oldest human presence around the lake dates back to the Paleolithic era. The Romans arrived at the lake in the 1st century AD during the reign of Caesar Augustus. The most important history of the region began with the emergence of the Sao civilization, which flourished in central Africa at the Chari River and around Lake Chad from the 6th century BC to the late 16th century AD. Artifacts from archaeological excavations at Sao civilization sites reveal hunting and fish-processing practices that continued without interruption, such as pottery remains, metal tools, fishing accessories, or even traditional boats that people still make today.