The Well of Barhout, also known as the "Well of Hell," is a 400-foot well located in the Yeni Desert on the border of Yemen and Oman. The well has been shrouded in mystery for generations, with locals avoiding it due to dark rumors and a terrifying past. According to legend, the well is the home of evil spirits and a source of limitless bad luck. The water in the well is believed to be poisonous, and those who venture inside risk being decapitated by vengeful jin. Despite the warnings, a team of seven from the Omani Caves Exploration Team recently descended into the well to see what was lurking at the bottom.
The Well of Barhout has been stigmatized for centuries and is mentioned in the writings of the Islamic scribe Iban Abbas from the 7th century. The well is believed to be a place where the souls of wicked people go to progress into the afterlife. The well has long been associated with jin, a type of spirit from Islamic mythology. According to legend, some long-dead king ordered the jin to construct the well to hide his treasure.
The team from the Omani Caves Exploration Team faced numerous challenges in planning their expedition. On the surface, the opening to the well appeared as a 100-foot gash across the desert floor. Locals warned them about the strange voices, screaming, and wild animals that could be heard from within the well. Despite the challenges, the team was eventually successful in exploring the well and discovering a vast, unexplored cavern.
