The disappearance of the ancient city of Zeugma скачать в хорошем качестве

The disappearance of the ancient city of Zeugma

In 1999, the filling of the Birecik dam on the Euphrates in Turkey led to the disappearance of the ancient city of Zeugma, the name given to the twin cities of Apamea and Seleucia. Founded in the 3rd century BCE, Zeugma was one of the main cities of the Roman Empire. A Franco-Turkish mission, led by Catherine Abadie-Reynal, was tasked with conducting emergency excavations to save the last remains before the site was submerged. At Apamea, a site covering 36 hectares, research is taking place on eight sites. The discovery of fragments of surrounding walls and a magnetic survey are making it possible to reconstruct the overall structure of the city, revealing its network of streets and its dwellings. At Seleucia-Zeugma, archaeologists are concentrating their efforts on the lower part of the site, covering 75 hectares, which is to be submerged. Remarkable discoveries, such as a very well-preserved network of underground pipes, allow us to draw the plan of the city and understand its layout. A sumptuous Roman villa, composed of fourteen rooms spread over three wings, is gradually uncovered. A meticulous excavation reveals numerous remains: bronze statuettes, terracotta, coins, but above all wall paintings and mosaics of great beauty, saved in extremis. Director: Thierry Ragobert