Ubar Travel Guide
Travel to Ubar - Atlantis of the Sands
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Once a great frankincense trading city of the caravan routes of Arabia the city of Ubar was lost to the world as the Rub al Khali’s sands swallowed it. It’s rediscovery and the speculation that still surrounds it has ensured its immortality.
Described by T.E. Lawrence ‘of Arabia’ as the ‘Atlantis of the Sands’ Ubar’s legendary status has only been increased since the expedition to unearth it in the 1990s discovered an ancient settlement, but speculation was and is rife about whether this was the city of Ubar that is referred to in the Koran, Bible and Tales of 1001 Nights.
Frankincense was an incredibly important product 2000 and more years ago and, with the trees from which the precious sap was taken found only in southern Arabia, cities that controlled its export grew rich. This was the ancient land of Ad, where society spanned 3000 B.C.E to the 1st century A.D. With the coming of Christianity and with burial rather than cremation became the norm, the wealth of the region was destroyed and villages were swallowed by dunes that today reach heights of up to 200 metres.
Using the space shuttle Endeavour imagery from space showed a network of paths buried beneath the sand converging close to the modern settlement of Shisr, deep in the Omani desert. A team which included the famous British explorer Sir Ranulf Fiennes excavated the remains and indeed found artefacts that would indicate that this could be the lost city of Ubar, held special because of its Koranic references.
Attractions in Ubar
The remains of Ubar, if that is what they actually are - controversy rages, are small but interesting – a walled caravanserai around a waterhole the town is said to have had many towers. Finds here included a chess set made from soapstone and pottery from places as far away as Greece and China. The site today consists of excavated walls, remains of towers and the waterhole that made Ubar an oasis in the Empty Quarter.
Activities in Ubar
A visit usually is a full day tour from Salalah and can encompass a trip through the edge of the Rub al Khali, the Empty Quarter.
Relaxing
Find a shady spot and try to imagine the site teeming with camels laden with exotic frankincense and other goods.
Getting Around
Visit as part of a guided tour – cost effective and you’ll have the benefit of a guide with local knowledge and background to the site and other areas.
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