‘The Atlantis of the Sands.’

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AI – ‘The Atlantis of the Sands” is the legendary Arabic name for a lost city, likely referring to Iram of the Pillars, also known as Ubar or Wabar, a prosperous trading settlement believed to have been buried by sand in the southern Arabian desert due to natural disaster or divine punishment. Its discovery via satellite in 1992 near the Rub’ al Khali desert (the Empty Quarter) and subsequent excavation at the site of Shisr in Oman confirmed its existence as a lost trading outpost, though its legendary status as a “city of immeasurable wealth” remains part of folklore. 

The Legend

  • Origins: 

The legend of a lost city in the Arabian desert, known as Iram or Ubar, has been passed down for centuries in Arabian folklore. 

  • Lost City: 

It was a prosperous city that vanished into the desert sands, a fate believed to be caused by its people’s arrogance. 

The name “Iram of the Pillars” refers to the city’s distinctive architecture, featuring pillars, often associated with its underground water system. 

The Discovery

  • Satellite Discovery: 

In 1992, satellite imagery, possibly using radar data, revealed ruins of a city in the Rub’ al Khali desert. 

  • Excavation at Shisr: 

Archeological work at the site of Shisr, in Oman’s Dhofar province, led to the excavation of a large ancient structure believed to be Ubar. 

  • Archeological Evidence: 

The ruins included parts of a fort, which had a sinkhole that caused half the fort to disappear, matching descriptions from ancient texts. 

The Reality

  • Trading Outpost: 

The discovered site appears to have been a remote desert outpost and a key assembly point for caravans transporting frankincense across the desert. 

  • “Atlantis of the Sands”: 

The term “Atlantis of the Sands” was popularized in the 20th century and is now widely used to describe this mythical lost city. 

  • Enduring Mystery: 

While the archaeological discovery confirmed the existence of a lost city, the legendary elements surrounding its immeasurable wealth and divine punishment continue to be part of the tale.’

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