The Land of Midian (Revisited) — Volume 1

In the winter of 1877 a small Egyptian-led team set out to chart a region of Arabia that few modern scholars still remembered – the ancient land of Midian. Over four months they trekked more than 2,500 miles across desert and coastline, producing the first detailed maps of valleys, volcanic ranges and ruined cities long noted only by classical geographers. The narrative blends practical travel log‑book entries with the narrator’s reflections on the terrain’s stark beauty and its hidden potential.

Their ultimate aim was mineralogical: thousands of rock and metal specimens were collected, revealing copper‑rich silicates in the north and tantalising gold veins farther south. Among the finds were turquoise, sulphur, saltpeter and vast gypsum deposits, each hinting at an untapped wealth for the industrial age. The expedition’s scientific collaborators—from naval astronomers to seasoned geologists—provide concise explanations that bring the landscape’s geology and forgotten history to vivid, approachable life.