When NASA Discovered The Fabled Lost City Of Ubar

A centuries-old mystery lay hidden in the vast expanse of the Arabian desert, known as the fabled lost city of Ubar. It is a legendary oasis town said to have flourished in the ancient frankincense trade but it wasn't until NASA's groundbreaking expedition in the 1990s that the city's secrets were finally revealed. The once prospering desert metropolis would have disappeared beneath the sand if not for NASA who found the city again thanks to satellite images and sprawling excavations.

Ubar is believed to have flourished between the 1st millennium BCE and early centuries CE. According to archaeological research, the city once served as a important stopover for caravans involved in the lucrative incense trade. It played an important role in the transportation of frankincense, a highly valued resin extracted from the Boswellia tree, from southern Oman to Mediterranean markets.

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This trade network brought immense wealth and activity to the region, transforming Ubar into a strategically important settlement with robust fortifications, infrastructure and extensive international connections. Essentially, Ubar was a key hub where goods were exchanged and caravans assembled, underscoring its significance beyond a simple village.

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Disappearance and rediscovery of Ubar

According to ancient Arab legend, the city of Ubar was swallowed by the desert sands as punishment for its arrogance. However, archaeological evidence points to a more practical explanation. Realistically, a combination of natural disasters and environmental factors, including the collapse of underground caverns, depletion of water resources, decline of the incense trade, and encroaching sand dunes, ultimately led to the city's downfall.

Researchers believe that the collapse of subterranean caverns likely caused buildings to sink, allowing sand to fill in and bury the city. As the incense trade routes shifted in the 4th-5th centuries CE, Ubar was gradually abandoned and eventually covered by sand dunes. It remained hidden until modern technology revealed its secrets in the early 1990s.

A team of explorers supported by scientists at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory used radar imagery from the Space Shuttle and satellites to unearth the Ubar city. At the excavation site, archaeologists found a fortress with eight towering structures and artifacts dating back around 4,000 years or more. The discoveries included pottery fragments, incense burners, and evidence of trade links with the Mediterranean and India.

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The legacy lives on

The archaeological site of Ubar today lies in Oman's Dhofar Governorate, approximately 170 km north of Salalah, on the edge of the vast Empty Quarter desert. The journey to reach Ubar is an adventure in itself, winding through mountain passes and across shifting sands. It holds a unique spot in history and popular culture.

The historical site has earned the nickname "Atlantis of the Sands" due to its sudden disappearance and the mystique surrounding it. Although some scholars argue that Ubar might refer to a region rather than a single city, the legend endures, serving as a fascinating example of how human civilisations interact with their environment.