Qasr Bshir

[Jona Lendering]

I normally don't announce Livius webpages, but I think you guys will like this one: the best-preserved fort in the Middle East. There's a good drawing of what it may have looked like in Duncan Campbell's Roman Auxiliary Forts 27 BC - AD 378 (2009).

[mcbishop]

I normally don't announce Livius webpages, but I think you guys will like this one: the best-preserved fort in the Middle East. There's a good drawing of what it may have looked like in Duncan Campbell's Roman Auxiliary Forts 27 BC - AD 378 (2009).

I am currently staying with Prof Kennedy so now would be an opportune moment to remind people of the APAAME's superb collection of photos on Flickr - currently over 37,000 from Dave Kennedy & Bob Bewley's efforts. Naturally, Bshir features amongst them and you can even find some of mine from the mid 90s on Flickr, when it was less dilapidated, here.

Mike Bishop

APAAME = Aerial Photographic Archive of Archaeology in the Middle East

[D B Campbell]

There's a good drawing of what it may have looked like in Duncan Campbell's Roman Auxiliary Forts 27 BC - AD 378 (2009).

The excellent Brian Delf did a good job from my sketches (and Mike's photos!), but we ran out of time before we could add more detail.

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

Great resource thread!
Thanks for sharing gents.

[M. Demetrius]

Wow. Excellent photos.

The landscape reminds me of the line from Dances With Wolves when the wagon driver says to Dunbar, "There ain't nuthin' out here, Lieutenant." Without a well, you just wouldn't last long standing around in armor an such. Very beautiful, though, no doubt about it.

Could such a fine representation of Roman military architecture actually be restored? What would that cost?

[Robert Vermaat]

you can even find some of mine from the mid 90s on Flickr, when it was less dilapidated, here.

In what way is it more damaged now? I can't judge that from your earlier pictures.

Could such a fine representation of Roman military architecture actually be restored? What would that cost?

First question with any restauration: which phase would you choose?

[M. Demetrius]

which phase would you choose?

Fair question. I suppose the most documented or archaeologically important, but who would be the one to decide?

Follow the Golden Rule of Archeology: He who has the gold, makes the rules. :wink:

[D B Campbell]

Follow the Golden Rule of Archeology: He who has the gold, makes the rules. :wink:

Ain't that the truth! (sadly) :x

[richsc]

Anyone know the Google earth coordinates?

[jkaler48]

Step one:
Fence and guard to prevent damage from unauthorized visitors.

Step Two; Stabilize existing structure to prevent further collapse

Step three: Rebuild recent collapse damage where original material is still present.

Step four: rebuild sample tower and wall to last military use condition with contrasting color material or mortar to show restoration work.

Step five: Build visitor center and replica nearby and garrison with reenactors.

[Jona Lendering]

Anyone know the Google earth coordinates?

[url:8kgk7qct]http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&om=1&t=k&ll=31.337272,35.981182&spn=0.001569,0.002411&z=19[/url]

Compare this set.

[D B Campbell]

Compare this set.

Fantastic educational resource. Thanks, Jona!

[Caballo]

Thanks to all- these pictures are superb.
Question- is the rectangular object to the east of the fort here a later fort? Or something else?

http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&om=1&t= ... 02411&z=19

[Digard]

Actually there is a French Society - Limes Arabicus - they are trying to raise funds for a team of archaeologists who plane to work on the Qsar Bshir ( fort Mobene ) look at the web site and Facebook page - Limes arabicus.

If you want to visit the fort in 3D go to this adress - http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/d...429ea70d8f

Bonne visite

[Flavivs Aetivs]

Ah! I recognize this from TWC.

However; I would caution restoration. When the turks tried to restore sections of the Theodosian walls they caused more damage to them than they restored them, and the restorations were destroyed by earthquakes anyways (although they did not harm the original portions.)

So it's really a doubleedged sword.