The great Magan civilization faded after the 2nd millennium BCE, with some historians speculating that the desertification of the area hastened its demise. Yet, the magic remained: the region was to be a land of trading routes. Camel caravans carried frankincense from the south across the great deserts of the interior, exchanging it for spices and textiles from India, silk and porcelain from China, and bitumen from the Dead Sea. Permanent settlements often emerged around oases, which became key locations for trade. Early souks likely started as informal gatherings of traders at these fertile spots. The advent of Islam in the 7th century saw the expansion of trade networks and the formal establishment of souks in cities. These markets became not just commercial centres but also places where traditions, cultures, and ideas intersected.