Engraving depicting the Dasht-e Kavir (Persian, Great Salt Desert), in the middle of the Iranian plateau. Dated 19th Century. (Photo by: Universal History Archive/ Universal Images Group via Getty Images) Engraving depicting the Dasht-e Kavir (Persian, Great Salt Desert), in the middle of the Iranian plateau. Dated 19th Century. (Photo by: Universal History Archive/ Universal Images Group via Getty Images)