The Long Forgotten Secret of the Dead Sea

[@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!!…

[@LindenSmith-w3b]

These videos are very informative. Very well narrated. Beautiful countries

[@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.

[@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!

[@-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.

[@ez45]

Rare Earth drops, I click

[@vicesig]

Same

[@l337dta]

instant click from me as well.

[@gordybishop2375]

Drop everything

[@lorenzo4637]

@@vicesig Same

[@nzanzuh]

Obviously 🧐

[@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.

[@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!

[@yoshi545825]

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

[@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.

[@yikemoo]

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

[@sizanogreen9900]

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

[@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

[@DontFeedTheTrolls]

I love this channel. Thanks, Evan!

[@RareEarthSeries]

Thank you!

[@robertlinton5966]

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

[@Shoob2137]

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

[@JasonRainbows]

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

[@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".

[@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.

[@xero256]

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

[@talanigreywolf7110]

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

[@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.

[@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!

[@erinmac4750]

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

[@Mrnevertalks]

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

[@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!

[@SmokeyTreats]

Much gratitude & appreciation to you kind sir!

[@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.

[@jjpugh57]

This was a fabulous video! Thank you!

[@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!

[@thomastoscano7346]

the topics of your videos are AMAZING! So fresh!

[@nazarenoperezpelicon947]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@SharabTi]

Enjoy your vacation man, you deserve it :)

[@AhJodie]

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

[@_modnar_]

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

[@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.

[@norlockv]

Evan, thanks as always for these little gems.

[@lynettecarter9887]

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

[@ChrisHadfieldAstronaut]

I never knew about bitumen there!

[@seanbouker]

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

[@LetoDK]

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

[@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!

[@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

[@123456wasp]

Good video! Really informative. 😎👍

[@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.

[@Nono-hk3is]

Thank you Evan and Kata

[@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

[@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.

[@shaorandra]

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

[@johnpick8336]

Outstanding information! Thanks

[@ms_cartographer]

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

[@DrJamez]

Hello from Cold Lake! Love your videos

[@hamza.r4319]

Just a correction of some small details and pronounciation, the word mumm, is not pronounced mum, but Moom, the word in arabic for mummy is moomyaa' which meant the dead bodies of the old egyptians that was thought it was covered in mumm (Moom), I understand how you may get it wrong hence the name in english, funny also the word was meant only for the egyptians dead bodies, but now its used for all bodies that have been preserved by other humans, or even natural causes (In arabic tho it is still mainly only used for egyptian dead bodies)

[@stephenwright414]

Fascinating! Thank you!

[@trahlem]

Awesome story, thank you

[@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?

[@littlehills]

aspirin?

[@Rottingboards]

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

[@billjenkins5693]

Thank you

[@danielsperling3686]

im definitely going back into your channel!!

[@vespadavidson2315]

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

[@amazoniancustodian]

Whoa, It’s you! Thanks for the content fellow human!

[@GangGang1]

thank you!

[@potatoe679]

Great work!

[@BriManeely]

I hope the new job is going well! I understand that bills need to be paid, but selfishly hope these stories never cease. Best of luck!

[@korakys]

Your best episode in a while.

[@ricardocosson1105]

all your videos are jewels. ty

[@raffaeletroiano1871]

Fun fact, they don’t get this black gold anymore but still there are valuable chemicals substances getting extracted from Dead Sea to this day. On both sides there are national companies that extract and sell potash, zinc bromide and other chemicals which are among other things used in the extraction of this century black gold

[@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 :)

[@jwillisbarrie]

Thanks for adding actual captions for the Deaf

[@snowmanscz1011]

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

[@kathyh4804]

Very interesting thank you 🌷

[@vincentcleaver1925]

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

[@coglg]

Bro I loved your commentary

[@charlottapicker115]

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

[@TrickiVicBB71]

A short my still worthwhile episode

[@officialshivertrip]

Now that is some rare earth

[@Casiotron74]

Thanks

[@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.

[@GreenLarsen]

Love to learn new stuff, ty

[@teleriferchnyfain]

Asphalt & bitumen yes - never heard it called ‘mum’ although of course I’m familiar with mummies lol

[@lidu6363]

WHAT? I am completely mindlblown. We learned about the historic events like an index, but nowhere even a mention abut such an important piece connecting everything... I wonder how much more would I learn and still remember, if the school books made as much sense as the actual history and the real world did... ?

[@daddyshrek2295]

these videos always make me want to travel

[@spitfirered]

History Is Very Important, The Trouble Today And For A Period Of Long History The Powers Have Kept This Away From Us, I Love When You Expose The Truth About Our Past And Look Forward To All Of Your Teachings Rare Earth, God Bless, Wendy

[@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

[@cyclingzealot]

3:42 Where is that smoke coming from?

[@Horizon3165]

Lake “Ormyeh” in northwest of Iran ( in Azarbijan province) has the same features.

[@viracocha03]

What is on your feet when you go in the water?? Yes, that's the question I'm left with after watching. Interesting video.

[@slavetothegrind872]

Why the bags on the feet ?

[@kristianmorris9738]

Fascinating.

[@shayneweyker]

So what are the clear crystals?

[@RareEarthSeries]

Salt

[@TSZatoichi]

2:14, did you read it as "This is not salt" too?

[@sunny_muffins]

@@TSZatoichi I did! :D

[@shayneweyker]

@@TSZatoichi yep.

[@iandonnelly6684]

Yes! New video!

[@koriw1701]

Being now disabled after a lifetime of service in nursing, I now have ample time to research everything to my heart's content; my father taught me to *"QUESTION EVERYTHING"* (Yes, he spoke in capital letters). And, as I've entered my 6th decade, I've noticed that the topics I research almost always occur in rapid succession. My only regret is not being able to sponsor those who keep the passion I have for learning alive. Forgive me this one issue. For example, just yesterday I made a point to look up Petra and the subject of bitumen followed suit in a most circuitous route. This was yesterday, mind you. I don't know why these items of interest keep bobbing to the surface of my mind, almost as if I am *meant* to learn these things. Which is why, when I see that you have added an episode, I drop everything and dutifully attend your words. I have no idea where my personal research will ultimately lead me, but I do know that each time you are able to rise to the surface, you hold my appetite in thrall until I've absorbed every morsel you offer; finally going my unique way again...at least until the next time you emerge, from the rare earth.

[@buddyrojek9417]

Thank you for caring for people when they were sick

[@BaalFridge]

the story of mum is much more fascinating than anything else about the dead sea, how and why is the most common knowledge of the lake ''haha so salty you float''!? I wish I knew mummies were named after mum decades ago, I feel like I've been robbbed, but probably not as much as mummies' tombs.