New National Geographic documentary shines light on Nabataean kingdom

Lost Treasures of Arabia: The Nabataean Kingdom, a new National Geographic documentary premiering on August 27 and streaming on Disney+ from August 29, brings overdue recognition on an ancient civilisation whose significance has long been overlooked. 

 

The documentary shows that during the peak of their power, under King Aretas IV from 1st century BCE to 1st century CE, the Nabataeans of north-west Arabia demonstrated hugely underrated ingenuity and strategic skill to leverage the opportunities and reduce the risks presented by their position at a crossroads of civilisations.

 

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Lost Treasures of Arabia: The Nabataean Kingdom is narrated by Academy Award-nominated actor and screenwriter, Maggie Gyllenhaal in English, and Saudi journalist and TV personality Weam Al Dakheel in Arabic.

 

The documentary includes vivid recreations and commentary from Saudi and international archaeologists such as Laïla Nehmé, who has conducted research for decades at Hegra, the Nabataeans’ southern seat and Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site in what is now AlUla; as well as experts from the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU).

 

“The Nabataeans boasted a kingdom that stretched across vast distances, thrived on prosperous trade routes, mastered water and resource management and crafted awe-inspiring tombs,” Gyllenhaal says in her voiceover. “They were desert people that turned stones into cities and sand into thriving trade routes.”

 

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Phillip Jones, Chief Tourism Officer, said: “At long last, the Nabataeans are receiving recognition for their mastery and vision. Their prominence on the Incense Road brought them great wealth and influence, enabling them to become rich and powerful without relying on armies. They were master engineers, developing sophisticated water supply systems and carefully managing resources for the good of the kingdom. In one of the world’s most challenging environments, they used trade and diplomacy to thrive. The Nabataeans didn’t build empires with swords — they built them with aqueducts, incense, and strategic alliances. Their ingenuity and legacy can still be experienced today at sites like Hegra in AlUla, with stories that continue to be uncovered by archaeologists today.”

 

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It is also suggested that the Nabataeans may have played important roles in the sagas of Cleopatra and John the Baptist, and these storylines as well as a story of the Nabataeans outsmarting the Romans in the desert are explored in the film.

 

This rich history of north-west Saudi Arabia and the Nabataeans is integral to AlUla’s transformation into a boutique heritage and eco-tourism destination. With renowned heritage sites, which in 2020 were opened to international visitors for the first time, world-class hospitality offerings, and expansive natural beauty, AlUla offers a unique travel experience.

 

Broadcast information

Lost Treasures of Arabia: The Nabataean Kingdom premieres on National Geographic on August 27 at 10 pm UAE, National Geographic Abu Dhabi (Arabic) on August 28 at 8 pm KSA/9pm UAE, and Disney+ on August 29. This is the second production arising from a three-year story-telling collaboration between RCU and National Geographic. The first focused on the Dadanite kingdom.

 

Watch the trailer here.

-TradeArabia News Service