Aerial View of Dura-Europos from the north in 1934
YUAG, Dura-Europos Collection, negative number z1
This aerial photograph was taken on September 15, 1934, after seven seasons of the Yale-French Excavations had taken place. The Principia (headquarters of the Roman military garrison stationed in the city from the mid second through the mid third century) with its large courtyard and the Temple of Azzanathkona are two of the buildings in the foreground. The Temple of Palmyrene gods (also called the Temple of Bel) is located in the northwest corner next to a tower (bottom right corner). Structures excavated on “Wall Street” running parallel to the western city wall include the Mithraeum, the Synagogue, and the Christian building. The agora (marketplace) with its large central open square is clearly visible in the center; the oval amphitheatre is visible to the north of it. The wall and towers of the citadel above the Euphrates River are in the northeast corner (bottom left of the photograph).