The Long Forgotten Secret of the Dead Sea

A very short season in Jordan begins here, from a vacation day in the Dead Sea with a bit of a throwaway episode. I thought it might be a nice palate cleanser before we head into the refugee camps that were my real destination in the country.
If you ever get a chance to float on a salt lake, I'd recommend taking it. Just keep an eye out for floating rocks of hydrocarbon.
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This video was made possible thanks to our incredible Patreon subscribers: &pointer, A Tuttle, Ástráður Ísak Lárusson, adam lenk, Akasha Yi, Alan Camolinga, Alex boneck, Alex Papageorgiou, Alex Ross, Alex The Magical Cat, Alexander Lee, Alexander Reilly, Alf Einar Solberg, Alice LWatson, Allmightydregs, Almighty Bidoof, Amal Isaac, Ammobunny, Andrew, Andrew Beals, Andrew Larson, Anina Shaorandra, Arsalan N, Atsushi, Audrey Brown, Austin Cousineau, bajr, BattleGoat Studios, BeanoTheElder, Ben Hewitson, Benkei Paczek, Blacksun317, BlobyTwo, Bob Dai, Bradley Brown, Brenna and Peter, Brian ONeel, Brian Perkins, Bullseye89, Catherine Berry, Chien Lu Anderman, Chris, Christoph Hotep, Christopher Perrin-Porzondek, Christopher Simpkins, Cody Belichesky, Cody Schneider, Cole Skelton, Colin Miskowitz, CollapsingHrungDisaster, Colton Creasey, Curtis Shimamoto, Cynical Rhys, Daniel Sierra Matus, Daniel Tyler, David Badilotti, David James McConnell, David V, Douglas Danger Manley, Dustin Sysko, Dykam, Edward Sykes, Einar Holmedal, Elaine Kotenko, Elsilan, Emma, Eric Floehr, Erik Hoag, Eugene Pakhomov, Evan, f1r3w4rr10r, fadingnebula, fatsaxman, feo, Gabe Sockie, Ggamefreak22, Gilberto Hart, Giulian Fava, Gregory Kintz, Hollis Davis, Igor Stavchanskiy, Immanuel Rajan, J Neko, Jake Capoun, Jakob Ruder, Jan Langguth, Jan Vilhuber, Jean, Jeremy Impson, Jeremy Wheelis, Jessica Mayberry, Joe Brown, John and Tanya Hug, John Cline, John Goff, Jonathan Lonowski, Joseph King, Josh Hoppes, Juan Coronado, Julia, Julian Fiander, Justin Gregg, Justin Thomson, JustRus, Kameron Stroud, Karol Pilat, Keaton Keller, Kenny Coulter, Kush Patel, Kyle Hammer, Kyle Hofer, Lady Sixa, Lane & Kate Seppala, larry82, Lars Flöer, Lars Hjort Christensen, Lars Sturm, Lee, Lexi, Liam Gilles, Lilith Berkana De' Anu, Lillian Mark, Lorentz, Louis Lenders, Lukas, luketd, Marc Anderson, Martin Green, Matt, Matthew Barrett, Matthew Wallace, Max Poley, Melanie Sumner, Michael, Michael Abernathy, Michael Amesse, Miguel Martínez Chapa, Mike Frysinger, Mondoria, Mrburgerdon, Ms Tek, Muncorn, MysticCobra, Nancy Reid, Nathaniel, Nicholas Kraabel, Nick Grippo, NiordSir, NM, Noah Hawkes, Nuno Balbona Perez, Oliver Frommeier, Oliver 'Kannik' Bollmann, Ollie b, Pablo D Lopez, Pablo Rodriguez, Patrick Holdsworth, Paul Estella, Paul Hui, Peter Bjorvand, Peter Gravelle, Petr Doležal, Pjotr Bekkering, Pranav Maddula, Ricardo Machado, Rich Saber, Robert Velten, Rocky Yip, Roger L. Basler de Roca, Roger Wu, Ron Warris, Ronen Finegold, Ryan Breaker, Sabolc Jut, Sam Collins, Sam Rossetti, Scotty From Marketing, Sean Dennis, Sean McCool, Sergi Rincon, Shawn Wang Williams, Shikyo_The_Dragon, Shivan, SilliusSodus, Simon Bohnen, Simon Hannus, smaz ruby, Space_Chickun, Sriram Govindarajan, Stephen Bourne, Steve Sick, Steve Williamson, Svein Ove Aas, Symmetrymaster, Tedd, Theo Davis, Thomas, Thomas Paris, Tibor Galbács, Tim Barrett, Tob, Tobias B, Traxys, Ubikwitus, Varun Perumal, Vasserot, Viktor Lundell, Vitali Perchonok, Wes Mills, Whitefang, Will Mullins, Wu Jim, Xellos, Xenonfrenzy, Zach Preston, and ZZ. We love you guys!
Thanks for watching! You're clearly one of the good ones.

[@RareEarthSeries]

Thank you sincerely to everyone who supports us keeping this channel going: www.patreon.com/rareearth ko-fi.com/rareearth

[@fisheatinweasel]

beautimum!

[@GuntherRommel]

Congrats on 1,040,000 subscribers!

[@rbnhd1976]

What was the white rock?

[@Sedgewise47]

5:31 DOGGIES!!…

[@physetermacrocephalus2209]

Man this episode really delivered. I learned so many new things even despite being old AND it's quite litteraly about RARE earth lmao

[@ROGER2095]

Me, too. I'm 70 and I always knew about bitumen in the ancient world but I never gave any thought about where the word "mummy" came from.

[@lahart2003]

Me 3!! Well done! ❤👍🏼

[@JamesJones-cx5pk]

That's wild👍

[@unvergebeneid]

So for the ancients, seeing an asphalt road would've been like a road paved with gold?

[@kabu506]

There's simply no other channel like this, I'm just glad I'm part of it, one way or the other. Thank you for this Evan.

[@RareEarthSeries]

Thanks for being here!

[@TheTomBevis]

It's better than "National Geographic" is, these days. 🙃

[@adrianseanheidmann4559]

@@TheTomBevis NG is absolute GARBAGE nowadays.

[@Haplo-san]

Amazing, I didn't know that. Quote [The word "mummy" is derived from the Arabic and Persian word "mūmiyā مومیا", which refers to "1. a waxy substance, bitumen, tar, 2. a corpse preserved with this substance". This word is cognate with the Persian word "mūm موم", which means "beeswax, candle made of wax".] We took the same words to Turkish and use "mumya" for mummy and still use the word "mum" for "candle" which is made from paraffin wax nowadays.

[@muchavvir]

The Bengali word 'মোম' (möm) and the Hindi word 'मोम' (mam) might have originated from the Arabic, Persian or the Turkish word. And it means exactly what you describe - candle or paraffin wax.

[@introtwerp]

I think the Persian word may have come from the Arabic word not the other way around

[@olliefoxx7165]

​@@introtwerp Persia has been around longer than Arabic.

[@introtwerp]

@@olliefoxx7165 yes but usually farsi gets alot of it's words from Arabic due to conquest

[@TheBanana93]

Do us English call our mum's mummy because they are bitches?

[@onbearfeet]

As a classics minor and nerd for the ancient Mediterranean, I didn't think I'd learn much from this episode, but I've learned a whole lot. Thank you, Evan. This episode was even more precious than mum. Rare Earth indeed.

[@withershin]

I lived in Amman about a decade ago for 9 months for work. This brought me right back in time. Especially the Petra clips - this is what it really looks like and not what is usually shown. Living in Jabal Amman was such a magical experience. Jordanians have such an awesome sense of humour.

[@ez45]

Rare Earth drops, I click

[@vicesig]

Same

[@l337dta]

instant click from me as well.

[@gordybishop2375]

Drop everything

[@lorenzo4637]

@@vicesig Same

[@nzanzuh]

Obviously 🧐

[@thekupus1]

DROP EVERYTHING, THERE IS A NEW RARE EARTH VIDEO Evan, we hope you know how much we appreciate the effort you put into these. Thank you!

[@evanmoore8578]

I got to float around on the Jordanian side a few years ago. The water is straight nasty but the experience is something worth trying. I had no idea what the mum was all about and people were coating their skin with it. It would have been nice to have this insight.

[@North95]

I think the stuff he was showing, was plain old Dead Sea mud. I think bitumin, or mum is much harder to find, and would be unpleasant on your skin. I have been to Petra and the Dead Sea too. Petra was very impressive. And I agree with you, the Dead Sea water is nasty. I used the excuse of wearing contact lenses, which was true, but I did not want to swim in that nasty water. Sure it is natural, but it is toxic.

[@-SoberSoviet-]

There are over a million words in the English language and I cannot possibly string enough of them together to describe how elated I am when I see new uploads from you! Thank you, Evan!

[@newtybot]

You just did.

[@UguysNV]

Hey I was also born in Alberta. I am also going to the dead sea next week, this will make it ever the more interesting! Thanks for the very well timed video!

[@eaterdrinker000]

ECCE MONO

[@yoshi545825]

Still love reading the last post at the end of the video. thank you for that, no one else does it.

[@JasonRainbows]

You used "farther" and "further" in the same sentence. Bravo. Thumbs up.

[@cmhughes8057]

Now I learned something new here. I never heard of this and wonder why this was not put in the history books when I was growing up? I am glad to see you cover this.

[@alstclair]

As usual, it is a very well written piece of a history that is forgotten or unknown by most. Also, the presentation style is somewhat reminiscent of Sargent Fridays style. "The facts, Ma'am. Just give the facts".

[@lewismassie]

This is what I watch this channel for. What an incredible link between so many historical eras and all the way up to the present day.

[@tararatraktor1297]

I love your videos! I wish you made this series before I came to Jordan. Anyway I recommend visiting it to everyone, such a great country!

[@joemurray8902]

Thank you Evan! Glad to hear you are employed at something you like. The lack of internet is probably mind cleansing. I once bought some Dead Sea salt from a charming Israeli woman (not sure if it was actually from the Dead Sea seeing as I was just outside Las Vegas, but she was very charming). That would explain why it felt greasy washing with it. Cheers from Canada!

[@yikemoo]

Some of the shots you showed of Petra.... thank you! Never seen it from that aspect before.

[@DontFeedTheTrolls]

I love this channel. Thanks, Evan!

[@RareEarthSeries]

Thank you!

[@sizanogreen9900]

Always a treat to get some new content from this channel :)

[@Nobe_Oddy]

this was very enlightening.... and I can say it was my 'something new' in 'you learn something new every day' ... I had no idea the Dead Sea pooped out floaters that made people rich in ancient times... WHO KNEW?! lol THANK YOU!

[@robertlinton5966]

Love you presentation style. Like informative poetry. Listening to you talk is as easy as thinking.

[@nazarenoperezpelicon947]

The Rare Earth episode about Rare Earth. We've gone full circle fellas!

[@seanbouker]

Found some of this when I was like 14 and didn't know what it was until now... I still have it lol

[@Shoob2137]

I think this might be the only channel I'll hit the bell on, You just always deliver. Thank you.

[@_modnar_]

"Oh, he was born right over there" 😄 Wonderful way to end the video!

[@lanzlocz]

Dude! your subject material is always of interest to me and your delivery is a pleasure to listen to, keep up the good work.

[@gigits2798]

Thank you for doing this channel. I've always loved learning about the world. To me looking at the stars made me feel small and to learn histories and rare earth of the world.

[@JesseP.Watson]

Fascinating stuff. I've been building a channel whilst on my travels around the ancient and wild places of the British Isles for the past year or so and, I must admit, I'm rather feeling I missed a trip now... it's just a bit cold... and wet, darn it all!

[@talanigreywolf7110]

It always lifts my spirit when a new one drops here, thank you!

[@thomastoscano7346]

the topics of your videos are AMAZING! So fresh!

[@jjpugh57]

This was a fabulous video! Thank you!

[@THarSul]

i hope we can see more stuff like this in the future, cause although the refugee camps you're headed towards are important and do deserve attention and coverage, in the modern war-torn world, they aren't a particularly "Rare" part of Earth.

[@erinmac4750]

Wow! Two of my favorite things combined: archeology and geology, using your special storytelling gift. Thank you! Enjoy your vacation!🌍🏖️

[@xero256]

Seems like a really cool vacation spot. Thanks for sharing a little tidbit regarding this place you've decided to visit.

[@AI-hx3fx]

It really does feel like one is swimming in baby oil. We were cautioned to not swim for more than 20 minutes or else the salt will seep into our bloodstream through the skin. Also, the black substance is indeed beneficial, even as it smells like burning rubber.

[@officialshivertrip]

Now that is some rare earth

[@norlockv]

Evan, thanks as always for these little gems.

[@ChrisHadfieldAstronaut]

I never knew about bitumen there!

[@SmokeyTreats]

Much gratitude & appreciation to you kind sir!

[@shaorandra]

This is fascinating! I always get so excited to see one of your videos 🥳🥳

[@Mrnevertalks]

Hope the new job treats you well. Looking forward to the rest of this season!

[@stephenwright414]

Fascinating! Thank you!

[@adriaanboogaard8571]

Very interesting and I love new to me old history. I've been lucky to have lots of old people in my life. I'm 55my Dad was borne in 1919 I got to spend time with my grandparents borne in the 1800's. and like in this video always something old bit Different. It's what makes life interesting and worth living

[@SharabTi]

Enjoy your vacation man, you deserve it :)

[@johnpick8336]

Outstanding information! Thanks

[@jx995]

This was a great watch. Keep it up Rare Earth :)

[@ladyofthemasque]

When they say don't even get the Dead Sea's water on your lips, *they were not joking.* I made that mistake just once. I had a tiny crack on my lips from the dry desert air (despite applying chapstick several times a day!), and it stung like an expletive. IT IS NOT JUST SODIUM CHLORIDE. It is a BUNCH of different mineral salts, so DON'T lick your lips, either!

[@LetoDK]

I loved the entire video - but I chuckled at the very end!😄

[@PaigeWylderOwO]

I always wondered what it would be like to float in the Dead Sea, but when you mentioned how there's bitumen in the water, I'll have to pass on the opportunity.

[@lynettecarter9887]

Made my day as alway you are the best show for many years on yt 💯💖🍻

[@curvs4me]

Excellent abstract knowledge 😊

[@123456wasp]

Good video! Really informative. 😎👍

[@AhJodie]

Beautiful information, and area! Thank you, it is cool to know where the word mummies comes from!

[@marpintado]

Thanks for being back, you were missed. Do not underestimate your impact upon the world. More than ever we need to be remembered of our roots as a species.

[@GreenLarsen]

Love to learn new stuff, ty

[@DrJamez]

Hello from Cold Lake! Love your videos

[@danielsperling3686]

im definitely going back into your channel!!

[@potatoe679]

Great work!

[@Nono-hk3is]

Thank you Evan and Kata

[@roocatuk3719]

I was googling bitumen after watching this and read something very odd on the wiki. At the bottom, where it says health and safety on the wiki article for bitumen, there is something called "Shilajit", a substance that comes out of mountain rock and is not tar or resin, but people use it as medicine. Maybe those Romans you mentioned mistook bitumen for it?

[@littlehills739]

aspirin?

[@trahlem]

Awesome story, thank you

[@Rottingboards]

I have been to the Dead Sea and didn't know this...thanks!

[@jwillisbarrie]

Thanks for adding actual captions for the Deaf

[@ricardocosson1105]

all your videos are jewels. ty

[@coglg]

Bro I loved your commentary

[@billjenkins5693]

Thank you

[@MoritzvonSchweinitz]

It's so sadly symbolic that that corner of the world, which all those hyper-old places and cities that are the longest inhabitated places of our species is now, and has basically always beeen, a hot-pot of unrest and violence for so long. Aleppo, for example.

[@korakys]

Your best episode in a while.

[@GangGang1]

thank you!

[@kathyh4804]

Very interesting thank you 🌷

[@kristianmorris9738]

Fascinating.

[@daddyshrek2295]

these videos always make me want to travel

[@vespadavidson2315]

One of the most interesting videos for a long time.!!! So informative.! Love all your stuff, but this one is exceptional.! Thank you.

[@benjammin9745]

Fascinating

[@haleghum9731]

Yay new video!

[@ChrissieBear]

"This is rare earth... literally."

[@iandonnelly6684]

Yes! New video!

[@kaisersozay99]

Enjoyed

[@TrickiVicBB71]

A short my still worthwhile episode

[@kunalguleria9617]

You are the Best !

[@Unitedstatesian]

While living in Tel Aviv I liked visiting the dead sea, but it is kind of anti-climatic since it was a long drive and you can't spend much time in the water. Especially when it is 40ºC and the water is more like a jacuzzi of sticky warm ...something not so nice. There are some Dead-Sea lotions, shampoos, etc that were quite cheap and I really miss them. I saw them being sold to foreigners at 10x the price. I don't know what was in those lotions, but they were the only thing that did not bother my hypoallergenic skin. Interesting that you did not mention the level that keeps dropping in level.

[@grilledcheese4594]

Answered a question I didn't even know I had asked. Not sure knowing why they are called mummies is really something that will be useful in life but it was incredibly satisfying to learn.

[@dedmeet11]

Well done

[@slicedtoad]

"Lord OPEC, looking out for his chosen people." I'm dead.

[@kristopherzinn9064]

This is absolutely the most interesting video you have uploaded in about 2 years id say

[@RareEarthSeries]

If you liked this one I'd also recommend Tom Scott if you don't already follow him this is pretty much his jam right here

[@donatodiniccolodibettobardi842]

That is a good one. If heard of science fantasy video game Endless Legend, I started realizing recently how well it captures these weird ancient poorly understood nature-based technologies, so unverifiable that even if the ancients had science they would decry it as fake. But it was magic to many of them, and magic of this kind was normal yet fantastic. P.S. Also nice to get a positive video from time to time

[@Casiotron74]

Thanks

[@dj-kq4fz]

I learned something today!

[@ms_cartographer]

I never thought a large lake would feel greasy to swim in. This is so cool!

[@FeelinTangerine]

Wow. This is the earliest I've gotten in here. Love the camels

[@Tandreada]

Great video! I feel like there’s one small thing it implies that isn’t true. There is bitumen in the Dead Sea, and it can be soft/brittle at room temps (and it melts easily), but the black mud that people slather themselves in does not contain much bitumen (if any). It’s mostly clay, iron sulfides, and other minerals. You shouldn’t slather yourself in asphalt/bitumen.

[@RareEarthSeries]

Yeah that's why I wrote "This isn't it. This is mud" when showing the mud - and "this isn't it. This is salt" when showing the salt.

[@Tandreada]

@@RareEarthSeries I totally missed you saying that; sorry about that! Thanks for pointing that out :)

[@charlottapicker115]

All Creation is a massive puzzle ✨ 🙌 Light We ✨ Are!! Thankyou 💙 💙 💙

[@zayicza]

berta proud!!

[@Rottingboards]

So is the white crystal that you are showing just salt or is it also mum?

[@snowmanscz1011]

I would never think that asphalt has such a cool history.

[@boskobells1175]

Look how high the water was during the great flood of no ah those mountains are testament of it

[@vincentcleaver1925]

So glad you're back! ("Indie, I'm so happy you're not dead!")