In a museum in Italy there’s a sheet of cracked papyrus that is, as far as anyone knows, the oldest surviving map on Earth. Written by an Egyptian scribe over 3,000 years ago, it leads into Egypt’s Eastern Desert — a dangerous landscape of lost mines, abandoned cities, and a legendary place whose location was forgotten for centuries. But the edges of the papyrus are missing — and so is the end of the story.
So I decided to follow it.
My journey takes me from the temples and tombs of ancient Egypt into Wadi Hammamat, across military checkpoints, and deep into one of the most remote regions of the Sahara. Along the way, I trace the history of pharaohs, Roman miners, Victorian explorers and tomb robbers, chasing the legend of a treasure tied to Cleopatra and a place once thought lost to history.
What begins as an attempt to follow an ancient map becomes a journey through 3,000 years of obsession: gold, emeralds, exploration, archaeology, and the strange human need to find what has been lost.
This is the story of the world’s oldest treasure map — and what still remains at the end of it.
Want more content? Support Backpackology on Patreon:
I’ve just launched the Patreon, so consider this the soft opening. I’m still moving the furniture in. Over the next few days I’ll be adding behind-the-scenes videos, updates from the road, research and early ideas from upcoming adventures, deleted/extra material, and stories from the original Backpackology archives. If you want to go a little deeper into these films — and help me make more of them — come let me show you the other side of the map.
Want to visit the eastern desert? You can hire Hamada via his Facebook page:
Huge thanks to:
The Egypt Papyrus Institute
3 Pyramids Papyrus Institute
King Ali Papyrus Shop (Giza)
Skyline Balloons (Luxor)
Maxim Nile (Cairo)
source
me sitting staring at a blank screen after finishing watching this masterpiece
what did I just experience
You are a MASTER storyteller, you don't just captivate the audience with phenomenal scenes, story, and unique personality. It's as if you take us on the journey with you , I was holding my breath at times, laughing during others.
Some part of me wants to follow that incredibly detailed restored map into the dessert, to find something,… something I don't know I'm looking for. though that last couple of words probably don't make any sense.
This was a special experience.
To many more !
(loved the credits roll, aaaand…. you should've definitely taken the stones, you know, to put on your desk, collect something special from every adventure. though the journey is something special too, maybe it was the friends we made along the way. )
You are one of a Jewel of a Poet-Adventurer Mr. McDonald, thank you for this, t'was amazing✨
19:52 aye bro I fuck w ya but you can’t fault him for saying that 😂 you know exactly why he specified English you know exactly why
Extraordinary words.
Cool adventure, great story and background research.
– Subscribed…
Steve I love your video’s so much. It’s like watching a movie. I hope you never quit doing this
whos the artist for the lil victorian flashbacks? love it
Yessss! I been waiting for this video to drop! Now I know what to do for the rest hour of the hour!😀
I enjoyed the tale and the story and the writing, now admit the truth that was King Solomon mines😅, or is he next
Thanks for the adventure
The family and I love your videos. Can't wait for the next one.
I don't know if I would go through the airport customs with just the crystals in a baggie, but tbh I would probably mix them into a mixed bag of legally bought uncut/rough crystals, and then try to mail it home… 😅🤷
Give this man as much funding as he could possibly ask for
Wow that was so awesome thank you
Worth the wait!
Pretty convenient that interesting historical areas of possible importance often also located behind military fences around the globe 🤔
The poor guide waking up and you're gone, he's searching and thinking a gin came and got you during the night.
You are one of the best channels ever. Stay safe out there!!!!
This guy is one of the underrated youtuber ive seen, hes intelligent, funny, and LOVES going to dangerous places taking all the risks for his viewers also BEAUTIFUL representations
even though it takes 3 month for a new video its WORTH the wait. Ive never glazed a youtuber as much as this guy 😭😭😭
Very well done!! Your channel blows up with every drop and it is well deserved!
All i can say is WOW. You had me hooked right from the start to the end Amazing storytelling and you kick ass
Hi Steve. I was engaged in this great story up until about minute 57. That's when I realized it stopped being a journey, and slowly became a self-indulgent romantic novel. I understand it's your story and I respect that, but holy crap can you ever lay it on thick. I guess the upside to the video is I learned a lot about the region and I don't have to read your 400 page book when it comes out lol👍🫵👏
YOU COULD HAVE JUST SAID YOU BOUGHT THEM AT THE MARKET
Don't forget your Lucky, wherever you go!
Absolutely unreal mate, love to be on an adventure like that. Keep up the awesome history hunting.
Great video.. darn.. I wish you had the Emeralds
i need more