Lost Treasures of Arabia: The ancient city of Dadan

Premiering on the National Geographic Channel worldwide

About the Documentary

Watch the Trailer

National Geographic Abu Dhabi explores the intriguing story of an ancient Saudi Arabian city that existed over two millennia ago. The city was a hub for trading and agriculture and was home to the Dadanite and Lihyanite kingdoms. For the first time, the documentary delves into the mysteries and legacy of this unique moment in history. Archaeologists, historians, linguists, and other experts unveil the secrets of one of the world's most significant untouched locations, which raises the question of why these kingdoms suddenly disappeared.

When and Where to watch

United States

Channel: National Geographic
Premiere: 13 March at 10 PM EST
Additional Showings:
14 March at 5 AM EST

India

Channel: National Geographic
Premiere 13 March at 7:00 pm IST
Additional Showings:
19 March at 10:00 pm IST
1 April at 9:00 am IST
9 April at 6:00 pm IST
21 April at 9:00 am IST
29 April at 10:00 am IST

France

Channel: National Geographic
Premiere 13 March at 8:10 pm CET
Additional Showings:
16 April at 9:00 pm CET
21 April at 1:15 pm CET
23 April at 10:00 am CET
23 April at 10:00 pm CET
25 April at 8:500 am CET

Middle East and North Africa

Channel: National Geographic Abu Dhabi
Premiere 13 March at 10:00 pm KSA (11:00 pm GST)
Additional Showings:
14 March at 2:00 am KSA (3:00 am GST)
14 March at 6:00 am KSA (7:00 am GST)
14 March at 2:00 pm KSA (3:00 pm GST)
17 March at 1:00 pm KSA (2:00 pm GST)
18 March at 10:00 pm KSA (11:00 pm GST)

Channel: National Geographic
Premiere 13 March at 10:00 pm KSA (11:00 pm GST)
Additional Showings:
14 March at 1:45 am KSA (2:45 am GST)
14 March at 6:00 am KSA (7:00 am GST)
14 March at 2:15 pm KSA (3:15 pm GST)
17 March at 1:20 pm KSA (2:20 pm GST)
18 March at 10:00 pm KSA (11:00 pm GST)

Germany

Channel: National Geographic
Premiere 15 March at 9:40 pm CET
Additional Showings:
16 March at 9:55 am CET
26 March at 9:45 pm CET 
29 March at 7:25 pm CET
2 April at 12:40 pm CET
30 April at 10:35 pm CET

United Kingdom

Channel: National Geographic
Premiere 15 March at 10:00 pm GMT
Additional Showings:
31 March at 10:00 pm GMT
6 April at 8:00 am GMT
11 April at 12:00 am GMT
17 April at 8:00 am GMT

China

Channel: Global Geographic
Premiere 14 April, times and channels vary
Additional Showings:
23 April, times and channels vary

About Dadan

Nomadic hunter-gathering shifted into farming as people took advantage of the AlUla valley’s natural resources to settle. They began harnessing water flows within the oasis for agriculture, while continuing to herd sheep, goats, and other livestock. 2,600 years ago, the Oasis hosted the growth of Dadan, a powerful capital city with an economy fueled by farming and long-distance trade.

The Making of the Film

The Ancient City of Dadan is an amazing story of a more than 2000-year-old civilisations produced by National Geographic CreativeWorks.

For a full season of excavations, the National Geographic cameras were given unprecedented access to follow teams in AlUla on the frontline of archaeology to create the first ever feature length documentary uncovering the secrets of this ancient 9th Century BCE civilisation.

360 Experience

Dadan

Due to the proximity to incense trade routes, Dadan was one of the most developed 1st-millennium BCE cities in northern Arabia.

View 360 Experience

Watch The Video

National Geographic

The Ancient City of Dadan


To dive deeper into the ancient Kingdoms of the Dadanites and Lihyanites, check out this National Geographic article and tune in to the premier of Lost Treasures of Arabia: The ancient city of Dadan.

Read more on National Geographic
 

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Experiences at Dadan & Jabal Ikmah

2-Hour Tour Dadan & Jabal Ikmah Tour

Start your journey through time at Dadan, the ancient Kingdom of the Lihyanite and Dadanite civilisations. Next, take a 10-minute drive to Jabal Ikmah situated in a stunning desert canyon.

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2 Hour Experience Dadan & Jabal Ikmah Vintage Land Rover Day Tour

Explore the ancient capital city of Dadan and examine tombs, excavation sites and thousands of early Arabic inscriptions on the Vintage Land Rover Dadan Tour.

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Plan Your Trip To AlUla

Flying to AlUla

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What to Do

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Where to Eat

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Where to Stay

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