Understanding Iran: What Ancient Persia Reveals About Modern Conflict | Full Documentary

In this captivating episode of Planet of Treasures, historian Christopher Clark journeys through two of the oldest cultural landscapes on Earth – Jordan and Iran – to uncover the secrets of once‑mighty empires and world‑renowned UNESCO World Heritage Sites. From the red sandstone cliffs of Wadi Rum, inhabited by Bedouins for over 12,000 years, to the majestic ruins of Petra, the ancient capital of the Nabatean Kingdom (4th century BCE – 106 CE), the journey reveals how trade, religion, and empire shaped the region. Crossing eastward, Clark travels to Persepolis, the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire, founded by Darius the Great around 518 BCE, before continuing to the stunning city of Isfahan, a gem of Safavid architecture. Along the way, the documentary retraces the influence of the Greeks, Romans, Persians, and Arabs, whose cultural and architectural legacies still define the Middle East today. Shot across striking desert landscapes and bustling ancient cities, this documentary brings to life the deep historical layers that continue to shape the crossroads of East and West.