However, because so little changes in the deserts of Oman and Yemen, he could see ancient paths and tracks in the desert. From the Landsat pictures, however, he discovered that there were no ruins of any ancient cities visible. He hoped that he could identify sites that archeologists could later investigate on the ground. Blom, compared maps made by Ptolemy, the Roman historian, with photographs from Landsat space satellites. The article claimed that a geologist and specialist in space remote-sensing technology from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California by the name of Dr. “Guided by ancient maps and sharp-eyed surveys from space” the article claimed “archaeologists and explorers have discovered a lost city deep in the sand of Arabia.” This article was then relayed all around the world and excitement grew. Unfortunately, in February 1992 an article by John Noble was splashed across the front page of the New York Times, declaring that the lost city of Ubar had been discovered. Juris Zarins (Missouri State University) starting in 1992. The ancient structure was partially excavated by Dr. There is a sink-hole, well, Arab fort, and the remains of an ancient structure that some feel may be the ancient city of Ubar. Shisr is the modern name of a location in southern Arabia. But is the academic world convinced? Todate, no one has published any proof that links the structure at Shisr with Ubar. Suddenly the world was convinced tht Shisr was Ubar. No one was sure what it was, until the article appeared the the New York times. When they started digging at Shisr, near a Turkish fort, they began to uncover a large ancient structure. The LandSat photos were helpful, but the camel caravan routes through the desert had been noted many years before. The satellite imagery allowed us to eliminate sites so we could concentrate on the most probable areas.” Ranulph Fiennes later published his account “Atlantis of the Sands” Bloomsberry 1992 (right) as an effort to correct this misrepresentation. Juris Zarins who was part of the expedition later commented: “The truth is, it was found by hard work, and excavation. It is assumed that these ruins are the remains of ancient Ubar.ĭr. Blom had pointed out, they indeed discovered the ruins of a very ancient city in the deserts of Arabia. When the archeologists arrived at the spot that Dr. The scientists assumed that where many tracks merged, an ancient city must exist. The ancient tracks acted like a road map.

These tracks had persisted for a very long period, and after careful computer processing, the scientists were able to make them out on the Landsat pictures.

This article was then relayed all around the world and excitment grew. Then, in February 1992 an article by John Noble was splashed across the front page of the New York Times, declaring that the lost city of Ubar had been discovered.

The king ignored him and a short while later the city disappeared from historical record and was buried under the sands of the Empty Quarter of Arabia.įor centureis, travelers in Arabia have looked for the lost city. This prophet foretold that the city and the entire civilization of Ubar would be destroyed by God, as punishment for their wicked living. One day, however, (as ledgend tells us) a prophet arrived on the scene and approached the last king of Ubar. According to legends and accounts by early historians, this city was fabulously wealthy as it was located on the overland incense trail. The legendary city of Ubar was once a center of trade and wealth.

Ubar itirapina