1/ >> Today a #thread about a city on the banks of the Euphrates River in western Syria, Dora-Europus.
In 1920, while digging a ditch in order to build a fortification, a British soldier in posted in Eastern Syria discovered walls with spectacular fresco paintings on them. >>
In 1920, while digging a ditch in order to build a fortification, a British soldier in posted in Eastern Syria discovered walls with spectacular fresco paintings on them. >>
2/ >> Dora Europus, founded by Seleucus I in 302 BC, is located at a strategic point, on the trade route between Syria & India. This location gave it control over the bridge crossing the Euphrates, thus its importance. >>
* Palmira/Tadmor Gate in the city, facing west.
* Palmira/Tadmor Gate in the city, facing west.
3/ >> In the city lived a variety of peoples, Greek & Syrian soldiers, nobles & merchants. Its status as a major trading hub attracted travelers & government officials, forming the cultural mix, but the Hellenistic culture was still dominate. >>
* The main fortress wall.
* The main fortress wall.
4/ >> Excavations unearthed the Temple of Bell, dedicated to the Mesopotamian God Bell, worshiped also in Palmyra.
The temple is preserved well, its walls stand at an impressive height, & the murals in the temple are the same paintings seen by the soldier from 1920. >>
The temple is preserved well, its walls stand at an impressive height, & the murals in the temple are the same paintings seen by the soldier from 1920. >>
5/ >> A church, considered the oldest church in the world, was also discovered there. Fresco's & scenes from the Christian world were discovered in the church. In one, Jesus and John are seen together in a boat, in another a female figure is seen, possibly Mary Magdalene. >>
6/ >> A synagogue was also found at the site, with fresco's, including a Jewish Menorah, the Second Temple, Moses in the basket on the Nile & the anointing of David by Samuel. >>
* Remains of a synagogue, a 3D restoration & a worker in the synagogue during the excavation
* Remains of a synagogue, a 3D restoration & a worker in the synagogue during the excavation
7/ >> Dora Europus is an impressive site that few like it have been found, the fresco's found in its building are some of the most impressive of their period. Their preservation is due to the location of the site in the desert. >>
* Fresco's from the Synagogue
* Fresco's from the Synagogue
8/ >> The condition of the site today is bad, and in light of the chaos in Syria since the outbreak of the civil war the site has been robbed & damaged a few times. Right now as far as I know there is no way to save the site or the finds.
- The end -
* Aerial photograph.
- The end -
* Aerial photograph.
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