Stuff They Don't Want You To Know

CLASSIC: The Lost City of Ubar: The True Story of "The Atlantis of the Sands"

Oct 24, 2025
Dive into the legend of Ubar, the 'Atlantis of the Sands,' whispered of across Arabian lore and even mentioned in the Quran. Explore how this fabled city was believed to be a prosperous trade hub for frankincense and myrrh, lost to the desert's wrath. Discover the challenges of the Rub' al Khali's vast landscape and the explorers who sought its secrets. Recent satellite findings hint at a possible location, revealing archaeological treasures that blur the lines between myth and reality. What could this mean for other lost cities?
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INSIGHT

Ubar Is Rooted In Religious Legend

  • Ubar (Iram of the Pillars) appears in Islamic texts and regional legend as a wealthy place with lofty pillars.
  • The Quranic mention frames its destruction as divine punishment, anchoring the legend in religious tradition.
INSIGHT

Classical Sources Treat Ubar As Real

  • Historical maps and classical sources placed a region or trading emporium in the area attributed to Ubar.
  • Ptolemy and Islamic commentators treated Ubar as a real geographic or tribal entity, not merely myth.
ANECDOTE

Thomas Told Lawrence About The Lost City

  • Bertram Thomas crossed the Empty Quarter in 1930 and heard Bedouin accounts pointing to a lost city.
  • He relayed a marked map location to T.E. Lawrence, which later fueled Western interest.
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