The route of Bertram Thomas's epic traverse of the Empty Quarter from Dhufar to Doha.

Thomas was a civil servant who volunteered for service during the Great War. First he served in Belgium and was then transferred to Mesopotamia, where he served from 1916-18.

After the War, he served in the diplomatic service in the Middle East and from 1925-32, he was Finance Minister to the Sultan of Muscat and Oman. Under his authority, he undertook several expedition into the interior of the Peninsula. These journeys culminated in his epic traverse of the Empty Quarter in 1931-2. His journey was aided by a guide from the Rashid Tribe and is noted as the first documented crossing of the Empty Quarter by a European.

This map records Thomas’ journey beginning in Salala, Dhufar on the southern coast of Oman, following the centuries old caravan route across to desert to Doha in Qatar.

This example of the map was issued by the Royal Geographical Society in 1931, compiled from Thomas' notes and shortly after the completion of the journey. Original colour. [MEAST4778]