Travels in Arabia Deserta

Record summary

Charles Montagu Doughty’s account describes the Arabian desert, ancient ruins, tombs, wells, tribal narratives, and restrictions associated with places such as al-Hijr, later identified with Hegra/Mada’in Salih. It is relevant to comparisons between archaeological landscapes, sacred danger, djinn traditions, and environmental explanations for unusual experiences. Doughty records speech and belief through highly individual English prose, and his observations reflect limited access and nineteenth-century Orientalist assumptions. The text is not a controlled investigation or proof of paranormal activity.