Aerial view of Dura-Europos from the east in 1997
Estate Georg Gerster, Switzerland, GeorgGerster.com
The renowned aerial photographer Georg Gerster (1928-2020) photographed Dura-Europos and other archaeological sites in Syria in 1997. At this point in time, the French-Syrian Mission (MFSED: the Mission Franco-Syrienne d’Europos-Doura) had undertaken numerous site preservation projects since 1986 to consolidate structures excavated during the Yale-French Excavations and also excavated new areas (MFSED continued work at the site until 2011). The photograph provides an exceptional view of the site’s topography and location above the Euphrates River and the surrounding fertile plains. In addition to the clear views of structures inside the walled area, the necropolis on the outskirts (next to the western wall) is also easily visible.