Which desert is the oldest continuously arid desert landscape often cited by scientists?

Scientists frequently point to the Atacama Desert as one of the planet’s oldest continuously dry regions, with hyper-arid conditions persisting for millions of years in parts of the landscape. Its long-term dryness has helped preserve geological and biological clues, making it important for research. The desert’s extreme environment is influenced by the Andes rain shadow and the cold Humboldt Current. Because of this combination, it has become a natural laboratory for studying climate, geology and potential life on other planets.