Saharan Memorial story...

This story has been in and out of various websites for a while, and I've always meant to do something with it, but never had the time...
I don't have the time now, so this won't be a fully fledged resource just yet, but some readers may be unaware of the story.
Start by heading to Google Earth and type the following co-ordinates (or cut and paste them from here) into the address search box on Google Earth.

16°51′53.748″N 11°57′13.362″E

Now go and read the story on the BBC website.

How would you use the story as ISM (initial stimulus material) for a lesson ?
Which topic would it support ?