I remember reading in National Geographic about this region, it was supposedly an inland sea for over 2,000 years until about the time of Christ. If you look at this region from space, it really does look like a large body of water used to be there. I really wish I saved this one, I am guessing it was over 15 years go that I read it.
A bonus mention for the mummies that are being found there, it is possible that this is where the post-Adamic peoples lived until the time of Noah.