Saudi Arabia: The Quay of the World

Saudi Arabia: The Quay of the World

From The History of Fresh Produce by The Produce Industry Network

July 14, 2026 · 25 min · Episode 183

About this episode

The episode explores the historical and geological significance of Saudi Arabia and Al-Hasa, including ancient civilizations and the theft of the Black Stone of Islam.

Why did the Sumerian gods describe a land on the Persian Gulf coast as paradise — and why does the geological reality of that same land, 4,000 years later, still justify the comparison? Who were the Qarmatians, the radical sect who built a proto-communist oasis commune and then stole the Black Stone of Islam from Mecca and kept it hidden in an Eastern Arabian date palm grove for twenty-two years? And how did the water that made Al-Hasa the most fought-over oasis in the ancient world turn out to be sitting directly above the largest conventional oil field on Earth? Join John and Patrick as they tell the story of Saudi Arabia and Al-Hasa — the Dilmun paradise, the Khalas date, and six thousand years of civilisation built on artesian springs... ---------- In Sponsorship with Cornell University: Dyson Cornell SC Johnson College of Business ----------- Join the History of Fresh Produce Club for ad-free listening, bonus episodes, book discounts and access to an exclusive chatroom community. Support us! Share this episode with your friends Give a 5-star rating Write a review ----------- Subscribe to our biweekly newsletter here for extra stories related to recent episodes, book…

People in this episode

Hosts: John, Patrick

Topics covered

Keywords

Sponsors

Cornell University, Dyson Cornell SC Johnson College of Business

Mentioned in this episode

Products: Khalas date

Places: Saudi Arabia, Persian Gulf, Al-Hasa, Mecca, Eastern Arabian, Dilmun

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