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الربع الخالي | الدحيح

New Media Academy Life・30 minutes read

Dr. Ibrahim finds treasure after 20 years, debunking the myth of Ashraf, while European explorers reached Antarctica, where Amundsen's preparedness led to victory over Scott, highlighting the harrowing environment. The Empty Quarter's allure, with a lost city sought by explorers and myths debunked by NASA, reflects a rich history of human adaptation and fossil fuel exploration in the region.

Insights

  • Amundsen's successful Antarctic expedition over Scott was due to better preparation, including more supplies and using dogs instead of horses, highlighting the importance of planning and adaptation in extreme environments.
  • The Empty Quarter, a harsh desert in the Arabian Peninsula, has been a subject of fascination for explorers due to the legend of a lost city, Al-Hudaydah, sparking numerous failed treasure hunts and captivating figures like Lawrence of Arabia, reflecting humanity's enduring curiosity and pursuit of the unknown.

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Recent questions

  • What legendary city was sought after in the Empty Quarter?

    Al-Hudaydah

  • How did Amundsen prepare for the icy environment?

    With three times the supplies and dogs

  • What technology led to the discovery of ancient ruins in Oman?

    Satellites

  • How do Bedouins navigate in the desert?

    Using stars like the North Star

  • What resources are abundant in the Empty Quarter?

    Fossil fuels like oil and gas

Related videos

Summary

00:00

"Lost City Hunt in Harsh Deserts"

  • After 20 years, the treasure was finally found by Dr. Ibrahim, not Ashraf, who reveals his true identity after being confronted by his friend.
  • The last place European explorers reached after two centuries of exploration was Antarctica, where a race between Englishman Robert Scott and Norwegian Roald Amundsen ended with the latter's victory in 1911.
  • Amundsen's success was attributed to his better preparation for the icy environment, including traveling with three times the supplies of the British and using dogs instead of horses.
  • The British team, ill-prepared, perished in Antarctica, highlighting the harshness of the environment.
  • Contrary to popular belief, the Antarctic was not the last place explored by Europeans, as they ventured into the Empty Quarter, a desert in the Arabian Peninsula.
  • The Empty Quarter, with extreme temperatures reaching 50 degrees Celsius in the shade and 80 degrees Celsius in the sun, is devoid of water, ice, and vegetation.
  • The area, known for terrifying sandstorms, is home to tribes who can only venture a kilometer into the desert on certain days in winter.
  • The Empty Quarter was sought after by explorers due to the legend of a lost city, reminiscent of the mythical Atlantis, believed to be buried under the sands.
  • Despite explorations by figures like Bertram Thomas and St. John Philby, the treasure hunt for the lost city, Al-Hudaydah, proved futile, with Philby mistaking a meteorite for the city.
  • The allure of the Empty Quarter and the search for the lost city captivated not only explorers but also figures like Lawrence of Arabia, reflecting a widespread fascination with the region.

10:18

Lost Cities and Ancient Mysteries of Arabia

  • Mustafa Arafa, a film critic, shared cinematic information about Edward Lawrence, a political envoy who led the Arab Revolt against the Ottomans to aid Britain in World War I.
  • Sir Wilfred Thesiger, sent by the British Foreign Office to study locusts in the Arabian desert, became obsessed with finding a lost city during his expeditions.
  • Two British pilots mistakenly flew into the Empty Quarter during World War II and claimed to see ancient ruins, sparking a legend that was later debunked by NASA.
  • NASA, in 1993, used satellites to discover the ruins of the city of Ubar in Oman, which had collapsed due to being built over limestone caves.
  • The discovered city was linked to myths like the people of Aad and the city of Iram of the Pillars, but there is no concrete evidence supporting these connections.
  • The Empty Quarter region has a history of cities disappearing due to sandstorms, with examples like the village of Wadi Al-Murr in Oman being swallowed by sand.
  • The Empty Quarter's geography was once part of the ancient "Sea of Tethys" before the Arabian Plate separated from Africa, leading to the formation of the current landscape.
  • Remote sensing technology revealed ancient river networks and lakes in the region, suggesting human habitation and migration from Africa to Asia and Europe.
  • Discoveries of stone tools, fossils, and a 9000-year-old horse statue hint at early human presence and potential horse domestication in the Arabian Peninsula.
  • The transformation of the region into a desert is attributed to overgrazing by humans and animals, leading to the disappearance of vegetation and the formation of deserts.

20:06

Bedouins and Camels: Survival in the Desert

  • Bedouins in the desert rely on stars like the North Star to navigate and use domesticated animals like camels and hunting dogs for survival.
  • Camels are essential for Bedouins, providing milk, wool, meat, and transportation, with unique adaptations like elastic nostrils and long eyelashes for protection.
  • Bedouins and camels have a symbiotic relationship where humans provide direction and care, while camels offer movement, protection, and sustenance.
  • Water in the Empty Quarter is sourced from rain in the Red Sea mountain ranges, absorbed by the soil and creating wells under the desert.
  • Bedouin culture emphasizes hospitality and the importance of wells, with tribes' honor linked to the number of wells they help dig.
  • The Empty Quarter, despite its harsh conditions, holds vast reserves of fossil fuels like oil and gas, making it a crucial region globally.
  • Oil exploration in the Empty Quarter led to the discovery of significant reserves, with Bedouins playing a vital role as guides for companies like Aramco.
  • The transformation of the Empty Quarter from a barren desert to a hub of technology and civilization showcases mankind's ability to adapt and thrive in challenging environments.
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