Ancient Desert Death Trap | Full Documentary | NOVA | PBS

From NOVA PBS Official.

Explore mysterious 9,000-year-old Stone Age megastructures found in the Arabian Desert.

Official website: https://to.pbs.org/43zu8sQ | #novapbs

Across the Arabian Desert lie colossal, enigmatic structures, some stretching for miles, visible only from the sky. Rediscovered a century ago and once believed to be defensive or ritualistic in nature, new technology is finally uncovering their true purpose and the secrets of the Stone Age people who engineered them. What were these immense, sophisticated constructions used for? Join scientists as they unearth groundbreaking clues, including evidence of a previously unknown culture and their astonishing methods for survival, revealing a monumental story etched into the very stones of the desert.

Chapters
00:00 “Desert Kites” in the Middle East
09:39 What Did the Desert Kite Carvings Mean?
21:39 Ancient Mass-Hunting Practices
44:51 Conclusion

© 2025 WGBH Educational Foundation

All rights reserved

This program was produced by GBH, which is solely responsible for its content.

This program is made possible by viewers like you. Support your local PBS station here: https://pbs.org/donate/

Enjoy full episodes of your favorite PBS shows anytime, anywhere with the free PBS app: https://to.pbs.org/2QbtzhR

📰 Stay up to date on the latest science discoveries, full episodes, articles, videos, and more by signing up for NOVA’s newsletter here: https://to.pbs.org/4brCC7Y

🛍️ Shop official NOVA 50th anniversary merch: https://nova-shop.org/

🎙️ Watch our podcast, Particles of Thought: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtiOgIRVt404UGx2NBvPum4DgT5Gs-Tts
Or listen wherever you get your podcasts!

Archaeology, arabian desert, neolithic period, ancient hunting, Ghassanian people, ancient people, early humans, human innovation, fossils, early human dwellings

Follow on social for more NOVA content
Twitter: https://twitter.com/novapbs
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/novapbs
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@novapbs

PBS
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PBS/
X: https://twitter.com/PBS/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/PBS/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/PBS/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pbs