An unfinished tomb carved into a giant boulder in the Arabian Desert.

A monumental underground karstic wonderland is also the water source for over a million citizens of Beirut.

Lebanon's highest point offers expansive views, martian terrains, and eerie ski lifts.

These numerous Israeli caves were dug out over hundreds years for reasons ranging from hideouts to burial sites.

Ancient rock-cut tomb? Definitely. That of a great Median king? Unlikely.

A giant bisected onion dome remembers the Iraqis who died in the Iran-Iraq War.

An ancient fortified mound raised over the millennia from settlements built one on top of the other.

9th century Abbasid mosque, damaged in modern warfare.

The sacred shrine of the Yazidis.

Celebrated as a center of civilization, the remains of the ancient city have been nearly destroyed by greed, egoism, and war.

In this tiny Iranian town playing on the roof isn't just encouraged, it's the only place to go.

This lake in northwest Iran has started turning from green to red more frequently than scientists are comfortable with.

Named after a legendary garden called Eram in southern Arabia, built by order of Shaddad, an Arab king who wanted to compete with Paradise.

The hottest, driest, and most scenic desert on Earth.

This vast, water-filled underground labyrinth can only be toured by boat.

Modern-day cave dwellers carve elaborate homes out of volcanic debris.

Ancient structures used to make and preserve ice in the deserts of Persia.

Hydraulic systems in an ancient underground Iranian city.

This beautiful system of tunnels built into natural rock serves as a centuries old plumbing system.

Iran's colorful terraces are a rare geological masterpiece.

Putrefaction plateaus in Iran, where the dead were sent for decontamination before going to their final resting place.

The palace of the King of Kings, burned by Alexander the Great.

Mirrors and glass shards cover every inch of this arrestingly beautiful mosque.

Small church on top of a huge rock column.