Episodes

  • The Land of Midian Part II Chapter X - Through East Midian to the Hismá

    The Land of Midian Part II Chapter X - Through East Midian to the Hismá
    Jun 14 2026
    In which our intrepid party traverses the wild and varied terrains of East Midian, from rugged wadys to lofty passes, amidst geological marvels and the shifting dominions of restless Bedawi tribes. Observing with keen eye and judicious reflection the intricate interplay of geography, history, and human rivalry, we encounter the formidable Ma'ázah clan whose fierce hospitality and political manoeuvres compel a cautious retreat from the enigmatic Hismá plateau.
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    53 mins
  • The Land of Midian Part I Chapter VIII - Cruise from El-'Akabah to El-Muwaylah—the Shipwreck Escaped-Résumé of the Northern Journey

    The Land of Midian Part I Chapter VIII - Cruise from El-'Akabah to El-Muwaylah—the Shipwreck Escaped-Résumé of the Northern Journey
    Jun 13 2026
    In which the author diligently records the practicalities and perils attending a maritime sojourn along the Arabian shore of the Gulf of El-'Akabah, detailing supplies, weather, and geological observations amidst storms and reefs. The narrative concludes with a reflective summary of the northern Midian expedition’s mining prospects and the natural history encountered on Sináfir Island, tempered by cautious optimism for industrial endeavour.
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    30 mins
  • The Land of Midian Part II - The March Through Central and Eastern Midian Chapter IX - Work in and Around El-Muwaylah

    The Land of Midian Part II - The March Through Central and Eastern Midian Chapter IX - Work in and Around El-Muwaylah
    Jun 13 2026
    In which the expedition arrives at the diminished pilgrimage station of El-Muwaylah and embarks upon systematic geological surveys of sulphur and copper deposits in the surrounding hills, while contending with the vagaries of local guides and the challenges of desert travel. The narrative also explores the natural history of the region, including oyster beds and ancient ruins, hinting at a landscape rich in both mineral wealth and antiquity, albeit currently somewhat neglected and forlorn.
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    26 mins
  • The Land of Midian Part I Chapter VII - Cruise from Makná to El-'Akabah

    The Land of Midian Part I Chapter VII - Cruise from Makná to El-'Akabah
    Jun 12 2026
    In which a hazardous voyage across the Gulf of El-'Akabah reveals a rugged landscape of geological contrasts, ancient ruins, and the enduring presence of Bedawin tribes, their customs, and wary hospitality. The expedition’s observations intertwine natural history with reflections on biblical and medieval legacies, punctuated by the precarious state of their vessel and the quaint fortifications guarding this remote and storied inlet.
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    50 mins
  • The Land of Midian Part I Chapter VI - To Makná, and Our Work There—the Magáni or Maknáwis

    The Land of Midian Part I Chapter VI - To Makná, and Our Work There—the Magáni or Maknáwis
    Jun 12 2026
    In which an industrious sojourn at the seaport of Makná unfolds amid mineral explorations and geological marvels, revealing quartz veins and elusive sulphur deposits set against a backdrop of vivid natural sculpture and the ebb and flow of tribal fortunes. The intimate study of the Magáni people, their struggles and customs, interlaces with observations on tempestuous winds and maritime prospects, painting a rich tableau of a land both ancient and enduringly poised for transformation.
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    40 mins
  • The Land of Midian Part I Chapter V - Work At, and Excursions From, Magháir Shu'Ayb

    The Land of Midian Part I Chapter V - Work At, and Excursions From, Magháir Shu'Ayb
    Jun 11 2026
    In which the author and his companions establish a camp at Magháir Shu'ayb, conducting geological investigations and navigating the intricate social dynamics of the local Bedouin tribes, while enduring the rigours of desert life and its capricious climate. They explore the origins and rivalries of the Huwaytát and Beni 'Ukbah tribes, uncovering tales of ancient strife and territorial claims woven through the harsh and splendid landscape of Midian.
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    44 mins
  • The Land of Midian Part I Chapter IV - Notices of Precious Metals in Midian—the Papyri and the Mediæval Arab Geographers

    The Land of Midian Part I Chapter IV - Notices of Precious Metals in Midian—the Papyri and the Mediæval Arab Geographers
    Jun 11 2026
    In which the venerable Egyptian papyri and mediæval Arab geographers are consulted to shed light upon the ancient riches and settlements of Midian, revealing a tapestry of copper mines, historical ruins, and enduring traditions that entwine with biblical and Islamic lore. With a judicious eye, Colonel Burton delineates the archaeological findings and linguistic conjectures that collectively sketch the landscape and lineage of a land both elusive and venerated, rich in metals and memory alike.
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    30 mins
  • The Land of Midian Part I Chapter III - Breaking New Ground to Magháir Shu'ayb

    The Land of Midian Part I Chapter III - Breaking New Ground to Magháir Shu'ayb
    Jun 10 2026
    In which we traverse the rugged Midian landscape from 'Aynúnah to the storied ruins of Magháir Shu'ayb, observing its distinct geological formations, ancient cisterns, and the scattered vestiges of a once-thriving capital marked by catacombs and relics of antiquity. The narration richly captures the interplay of natural scenery, tribal histories, and a treasure trove of numismatic and archaeological finds, all under the watchful gaze of precipitous hills and palms bespeaking a vanished era.
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    36 mins