The Frankincense Trail

[al-Hasani]

Series in which intrepid presenter Kate Humble follows the ancient frankincense trade route of Arabia across the amazing modern world of the Middle East. Kate's journey along the 2,000-mile trail that first connected the Arab world with the West takes her on a quest that's steeped in history, searing with desert heat, and full of characters and adventure. For 3,000 years before the birth of Christ, frankincense was more valuable than gold. Its sweet smelling aromatic smoke was treasured by Pharaohs and Caesars, and their insatiable demand for frankincense created a trade route from the southern coast of Oman to the Holy Lands. Vast camel caravans carried thousands of tonnes of frankincense over tribal lands - known today as Oman, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Israel and Palestine. Following the trail across these seven nations, Kate finds modernity coexisting with ancient traditions as she discovers what it means to be a Western woman in Arabia.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zy-JTXwpgGQ

It is a awesome documentary that gives a good picture of one of the numerous ancient eras in the Arab/Semitic world. Covers Oman, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Palestine and (Israel).

Although quite long (nearly 4 hours).

Highly recommended for anyone who has an interest in Arab/Semitic/Middle Eastern history which I know a lot of people have.

 

[Skallagrim]

I wish I could watch the documentary. But too slow a connection. Wilfred Thesiger's The Arabian Sands is the only book I read related to Arabs. I intend to read Philip K. Hitti's History of the Arabs which is available in BD.

 

[al-Hasani]

I wish I could watch the documentary. But too slow a connection. Wilfred Thesiger's The Arabian Sands is the only book I read related to Arabs. I intend to read Philip K. Hitti's History of the Arabs which is available in BD.

There is a abundance of great books/works about Arab history, ancient Arab civilizations, all the fellow ancient Semitic civilizations, Semitic history in general, the Middle East, Arab World etc.

The nearly 4 hour long documentary is really good for such a documentary and describes one of our historical eras during the ancient frankincense trail really well. The frankincense trait dates back to over 5000 years ago!

The most imminent works are ancient or old and written in Arabic. Many have been translated to English today though. Much was also lost.

All is very complex and interesting IMO.