Would These Be The World's First Skyscrapers? They Still Exist!

Rising like a mirage from the sands of Yemen, the ancient city of Shibam is unlike anything else in the world. Nicknamed “the Manhattan of the desert,” this walled city features dozens of mudbrick skyscrapers—some over 500 years old, stacked tightly together in a grid-like pattern. Built vertically for protection and space, Shibam is a masterpiece of ancient urban planning and one of the oldest examples of vertical living. In this video, we explore its origins, architectural brilliance, historical resilience, and the challenges it faces today in a changing world.