43 Items
Views of the first day on site
These pictures were taken by a student on the first morning of excavations at Zalabiyeh as the trenches were marked out and work began.
Type: Archaeological Excavation
Tags: Archaeological Excavation, Archaeology, Castle, Citadel, Euphrates, Fortifications, Fortress, Syria, Zalabiyeh
Bukistsikhe Castle
Bukistsikhe castle occupies a very strategic position on a hill above the River Supsa at the point where the narrow river valley opens up into a wider plain.
Type: Architecture
Tags: C4th-C6th, Castle, Defensive Network, Fortifications, Georgia, Georgian
Zoti Castle
Zoti is similar to Bukistsikhe in terms of it being on a hill overlooking a narrow section of river valley. The valley in question is however much higher and steeper here with Zoti perched high above the valley floor.
Type: Architecture
Tags: C17th-C18th, C4th-C6th, Castle, Defensive Network, Fortifications, Georgia, Georgian
Askana Castle
Askana sits atop a high and steep hill with precipitous cliffs on one side overlooking the Bahkvistskali river.
Type: Architecture
Tags: C4th-C6th, Castle, Defensive Network, Fortifications, Georgia, Georgian
Skande/Scandis
Large fort on the fringes of late antique Lazica and referred to in late antique sources as being a place of importance to the defence of the kingdom.
Type: Architecture
Tags: C4th-C6th, Defensive Network, Fortifications, Georgia, Georgian, Late Antique, Lazica, Procopius
Shorapani/Sarapanis
Serving much the same purpose as Skande/Scandis and contemporary with it. Shorapani/Sarapanis is also referred to in late antique sources and played a role in the conflicts to control Lazica.
Type: Architecture
Tags: C4th-C6th, Defensive Network, Fortifications, Georgia, Georgian, Late Antique, Procopius
Vardtsikhe/Rhodopolis city walls
Defences of the city of Vardtsikhe/Rhodopolis. The western and south western sections seem to be the best preserved.There has been a significant amount of restoration in modern times and in some places complete replacement of the wall.
Type: Architecture
Tags: C4th-C6th, Defensive Network, Fortifications, Georgia, Georgian, Lazica, Procopius
Tsikusdziri/Petra
The castle of Tsikusdziri is believed by many to be the fortified city of Petra, (not to be confused with Petra in Jordan) mentioned in late antique sources and built by the Byzantines. This identification seems to be because a better candidate has not been located. Tsikusdziri lacks the harbour a trading centre like Petra would have required. Nevertheless the association of Tsikusdziri with Petra is mostly accepted.
Type: Architecture
Tags: Defensive Network, Fortifications, Georgia, Georgian, Justinian, Procopius
Gonio/Apsarus
Gonio is a large rectangular fort originally built by the Romans who knew it as Apsarus. The fort has been used on and off ever since. Its strategic position has meant it's reoccupation and reuse has been frequent. Traces of modern use can be seen in the concrete gun ports built into the older defences.
Type: Architecture
Tags: Defensive Network, Fortifications, Georgia, Georgian, Late Antique, Roman
General views of Zalabiyeh and the surrounding landscape
These images were taken on a first survey visit to the site on 9th April 2010 and show the extent of the extant remains, evidence of looting and views over the river in the direction of Halabiyeh.
Type: Archaeological Excavation
Tags: Citadel, Deir ez Zor, Euphrates, Fortifications, Fortress, Halabiyeh, Landscape, Late Antique, Syria, Zalabiyeh