Petra and the Enigma of the Nabataeans

Deep within the vast Saudi Arabian desert lies the lost city of Égrat—today known as Madain Saleh. Once hidden by time and legend, this ancient site reveals towering tombs carved from red sandstone, echoing the majesty of Petra, the famed Nabataean capital.

This documentary explores the legacy of the Nabataeans, a mysterious civilization that transformed from nomadic tribes into skilled urban builders and masterful engineers. Thriving on trade routes that carried spices and incense from India to the Mediterranean, their wealth and influence spread across the ancient world.

Through the eyes of modern archaeologists, we journey into the heart of Égrat, deciphering ancient inscriptions, crumbling structures, and sacred myths. Along the way, we uncover the stories of powerful queens, innovative architects, and a people whose cultural imprint survives in stone, script, and silence.

But as excavations continue and secrets slowly unravel, one question endures: Were the Nabataeans mere merchants—or something far greater?

Original Title: Petra and the Kingdom of the Nabateans
Directors: Bernard George, Nassera Zaïd