One Hundred German Aerial Photographs of Palestine (1925)

1. Jerusalem and its surroundings from the west-northwest. V. 775.

FA 304, No. 18. 22 November 1917, 11 a.m.; altitude 2,500 m; focal length 25 cm.

Jerusalem lies in the center of the picture, its Temple Mount standing out as a bright surface in the midday sun. Because of the altitude from which the photograph was taken, it is not immediately apparent that the terrain beyond the city falls away and that the watershed between the Mediterranean and the Dead Sea runs across the landscape. Yet the valleys before the centerline of the picture descend toward the foreground, that is, westward, while those beyond it run toward the other side, showing that the land falls away there. The surface of the Dead Sea visible in the east lies 390 m below sea level. The highest visible points are the Mount of Olives (815 m) and, on this side of Jerusalem, the height along the Jaffa road (819 m); Jerusalem, descending to 740 m, therefore lies on a surface sloping eastward.

Of the valleys, the principal one is Wadi Lifta in the left foreground, conspicuous for its white channel. Wadi Umm el-‘Amad joins it from the watershed as an eastern tributary. The main valley's farther course, no longer visible here, receives all the other valleys in the lower-right half of the picture: first Wadi ‘Akbet el-Beda toward the foreground, then Wadi ‘En Rauwas to the right, and higher up Wadi Ka‘at el-Uzir. The plain of el-Bak‘a (the Valley of Rephaim, Josh. 15:8) also belongs to this western slope. All of it lies in the basin of Wadi es-Sarar, which drains into the Mediterranean.

Beyond the watershed, Wadi en-Nar, perhaps the Valley of Acacias (John 4:18; compare PJB 1909, p. 13), is the defining feature of Jerusalem's immediate surroundings. Its western tributary, Wadi er-Rababe (the Valley of Ben-Hinnom), appears as a deep channel south of Jerusalem. Wadi en-Nar can be followed first southeastward and then, after a sharp turn eastward, as far as Mar Saba. Wadi Abu Hindi crosses the mountainous desert from west to east and breaks through the mountain chain toward the Dead Sea at the left edge of the picture; Wadi es-Sikke runs parallel to it nearer the watershed. Farther down the descent toward the Dead Sea, the plain of el-Ibke‘a separates the Muntar range from the marginal mountains of the Dead Sea, which stand only about 200 m above Mediterranean sea level. The Dead Sea is visible from the region of ‘En Jidi (Engedi) in the south to its northern end, though the photograph's lack of sharpness makes it indistinguishable from the Jordan Valley. Beyond it rises the plateau of Moab, approximately from Mount Nebo in the north to the Arnon in the south.

Besides Jerusalem, its suburbs to the north, west, and south, and its outlying settlements to the south, the following places are visible. In the foreground is Lifta-Nephtoah (Josh. 15:9), perhaps once situated on the height between the two roads; its spring on the slope to the right of the village sends a small stream into the valley in spring. Deir Yasin is in the right corner. In the northeast, at upper left, is el-‘Isawije (Laisa, Isa. 10:30); et-Tur is on the Mount of Olives; farther east is el-‘Azarije (Bethany, Matt. 21:17; Ananiah, Neh. 11:32, according to Albright), with Abu Dis above it to the right. Sur Bahir is barely recognizable in the southeast. Also visible in the southwest, from left to right, are the Monastery of the Cross and the patriarchal residence at Katamon.

Important roads: From Jerusalem toward the foreground, northwestward, runs the western or Jaffa road. In front, its older southern line forms a switchback in Wadi ‘Akbet el-Beda; higher up, a southern branch leads to ‘En Karim. At left center is the northern or Nablus road, with a bend on the slope of Ras el-Mescharif (Mount Scopus), and above it the Mount of Olives road built in 1898. At the foot of the Mount of Olives, then curving around it twice to the right, is the eastern or Jericho road, which disappears into Wadi es-Sikke. On the right is the southern or Hebron road on this side of the watershed; before it, in Wadi Ka‘at el-Uzir, is the unmetalled southwestern road to Gaza.

The photograph presents a view approximately 30 km wide in the background, about 4 km wide in the foreground, and 40 km deep. It therefore shows a substantial section of the Judean hill country and its desert in a way that even a view from the Mount of Olives cannot. Only someone familiar with the terrain, however, would know that the Mount of Olives range rises rather than falls from the Mount of Olives toward the left edge of the picture.

2. Jerusalem and its surroundings from the southeast.

FA 302, No. 60. 23 November 1917, around noon; altitude 3,000 m; focal length 21 cm. Arrow points northeast.

In the foreground is the Mount of Olives range with its eastern slope. On the left it is bounded by Wadi en-Nar and its two upper branches: to the north, Wadi Silwan and Wadi es-Sitt Mirjam (the Kidron Valley); from the west, Wadi er-Rababe (the Valley of Ben-Hinnom, Josh. 15:8); in front, Wadi Kaddum, a northern tributary of Wadi en-Nar coming from the Mount of Olives; and on the left, Wadi Jasul coming from the watershed.

Beyond Jerusalem is the great valley system of Wadi Bet Hanina, or Wadi Lifta, formed by the two branches Wadi ed-Damm on the right and Wadi Duwed on the left, whose upper course can be followed beyond Rafat. Toward the foreground is its eastern tributary Wadi Umm el-‘Amed; farther to the right are the northern tributaries Wadi ‘Isa and Wadi Buwaj. In the upper background to the right are the valleys around Beit Ur el-Foka (Upper Beth-Horon), and to the left the valleys beyond Kiryat Abu Rosh (Kiriath-Jearim). They belong to the basin of Nahr el-‘Oja, whose watershed is formed by the heights from el-Kerje to Biddu.

The elevations on this side of Jerusalem appear in sequence: Baten el-Haua (727 m), et-Tur (the Mount of Olives, 815 m), Umm et-Tala‘ (818 m), el-Madbase, Ras Abu Halawi, Ras el-Mescharif (Mount Scopus, 779 m), and then the watershed heights as far as Tell el-Ful (840 m). Beyond Jerusalem to the west is the height of Deir Yasin, above it the height of Qastal (808 m), the heights near Kiryat Abu Rosh (763 m), and in the northwest the towering mountain of en-Nebi Samwil (895 m).

Jerusalem's position at the confluence of the Kidron and Ben-Hinnom valleys, the eastward slope of its surface, the southern spur of the Temple hill as an apparent eastern fore-terrace of the western hill, and the southern portions of the western and eastern city hills left outside Jerusalem since the Roman Aelia Capitolina are all clearly visible.

Other settlements: Silwan in the Kidron Valley; et-Tur and the Russian tower on the Mount of Olives; el-‘Azarije (Bethany) in two parts, the older western and younger eastern parts, on the eastern slope; el-‘Isawije (Laisa) east of Mount Scopus; Sho‘fat to the northwest; and Beit Hanina still farther northwest. Above the V in “V. B.” is Bir Nebala; by the r in “Nr.” is ed-Dschib (Gibeon), with en-Nebi Samwil on its height. Above Wadi ‘Isa is Beit Iksa; beyond Wadi Buwaj is Beit Surik, shown dark, with Biddu on the height opposite it. Lifta is hidden behind its height, but above the valley on the far slope is Qalunya, with Deir Yasin on the near side; Qastal is barely recognizable on its height, Beit Nakuba lies farther west, and Kiryat Abu Rosh (Kiriath-Jearim) is in shadow. The Monastery of the Cross, the Templer Colony, and the houses of Deir Abu Tor lie southwest and south of Jerusalem.

In the foreground, the carriage road to Jericho circles south of the principal summit of the Mount of Olives; a shortcut crosses the height above Bethany.

Historically important routes across the Mount of Olives range are: first, a route over the Mount of Olives, passing north of Bethany to the Jericho road; second, a route farther north over the Mount of Olives through Wadi el-Lehham to the Jericho road; and third, the Roman road from the northeastern corner of the city past Umm et-Tala‘, likewise toward Jericho.

The modern road to the Mount of Olives partly follows an old connection to the northern road, which can be traced as far as Ras Abu Halawi. The northern road, with its bends across Wadi ed-Dschoz and on the slope of Ras el-Mescharif, is visible as far as its western fork, the Beth-Horon road, near Tell el-Ful (Gibeah of Saul). The branch of the road toward Jeba‘ is also recognizable; see PJB 1916, p. 54.

The western road shows the southern branch toward ‘En Karim and the older southern secondary line mentioned under No. 1. Beyond Qalunya it climbs, with a bend, to the Qastal pass; farther on, the section from Wadi Ekbala to Kiryat Abu Rosh is visible. The southwestern road to Gaza can be followed, with its branch toward ‘En Karim, as far as the vicinity of the Monastery of the Cross. The southern road is visible only as far as the Templer Colony because an airplane wing conceals the remainder.

The photograph spans about 15 km across the background and surveys a distance of about 18 km: the entire Judean ridge around Jerusalem as far as the beginning of the western descent toward the hill country, the Shephelah, and the coastal plain.

3. Jerusalem from the northeast. V. 776. Reichsarchiv.

FA 300, No. 1334. Photograph taken at about 9 a.m.; deepest shadow to the north.

The view surveys Jerusalem in relation to its eastern valley, the Kidron, its southern valley, Ben-Hinnom, and its southwestern surroundings. In the left foreground is the Mount of Olives with the Ascension shrine (2, 3ⁱ); to the right is the Mount of Olives road, beside it the turreted hospice of the Empress Augusta Victoria Foundation (6, 7^m). Beyond the Kidron Valley is the walled Old City with the Temple Mount (7–12^h), the Church of the Redeemer (13^g), the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (14^g), the Tower of David (13^g), the Franciscan monastery and Christian Brothers' building (16^g), and the French hospice (17^g). To the south are the Church of the Dormition (9^f) and Nebi Daud (8^f); beyond them to the west is the Jewish colony (10, 11^f), and to the south the houses of Jebel Deir Abu Tor (5, 6^f). In the nearer background is the plain of el-Bak‘a, the Valley of Rephaim, draining through the valley of Bettir (13–17^c) toward the Mediterranean.

The watershed hills separating the plain from the vicinity of Jerusalem appear low in the west, while the mountains in the background appear enormous. They rise first along the Kremzan ridge (4^b–14^c) to 900 m, then near Sherifet en-Nebi Danjan (1^a) to 994 m. Behind them is the western slope of the Judean hill country.

Settlements: on the height, Beit Jala (1–3^b) opposite Bethlehem; beside the plain to the south, Beit Safafa (7^d) and Sharafat (9, 10^c); to the north, el-Malha (16, 17^d), with Bettir probably above it (16^c).

Roads: southward, the Hebron road (1^d–9^f), whose continuation appears again near Sherifet en-Nebi Danjan (1^a); in the Kidron Valley, the Jericho road (14ⁱ–1^h) and the Roman road to Jericho (15ⁱ, 16–7^l). For the railway line (7, 8^e) in the Valley of Rephaim, compare Nos. 7 and 8.

4. Jerusalem and its suburbs. View toward the east-southeast. V. 779.

FA 303, No. 779. 2 November 1917, 8:45 a.m.; altitude 1,800 m.

In the center is the Old City with the Temple Mount, the white Church of the Redeemer (8^f), the two domes of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (9^f, left), the Tower of David (6^ef), the Austrian Hospice (11^g) on the Via Dolorosa, the site of the Antonia Fortress (11^h), St. Anne's Church, and the Pool of Bethesda (13ⁱ).

Outside the Old City to the south is the Church of the Dormition (2^f); to the west is the Sultan's Pool (2, 3^ef), with the Montefiore colony and the olive groves of en-Nikeforije above it.

In the west is the Jaffa Gate (7^e). Radiating southwestward from it is the road to el-Malha (1^a); branching westward from that is the road to ‘En Karim (5^a), and northwestward is the road to Jaffa (11^a). Between the Jaffa road and the Malha road is the Mamilla Pool (7^c), and along the Jaffa road is the Jaffa suburb.

In the north is the Damascus Gate (11, 12^f). From there a connecting road leads to the Jaffa road (11^a); the northern road passes the church of the Anglican bishop (16, 17^e), with connections from there to the northwestern corner of the city (8^d) and the southern road. Herod's Gate (14^g) has a connecting road to the northern road (17^e). At the northeastern corner of the city is Burj Laklak (16ⁱ), with the road to Jericho (12^m).

In the south is David's Gate, with a path to the Kidron Valley (8^m). In the valley are the Virgin's Spring, Gihon (3^m), and the Greek Chapel of St. Stephen (12^l).

The elevation generally rises toward the northwest and west: the Temple Mount is about 740 m, and the Jaffa road at 11^a is 815 m. The valley to the west, containing the Sultan's Pool, and the ridge beyond it are not recognizable as such.

5. Old Jerusalem. View toward the southeast. V. 790.

Photograph taken in the afternoon, with shadows on the eastern slopes.

This vertical photograph gives a clear view into Jerusalem's street system, which is connected with the system of Roman Aelia on the Madaba mosaic. From the Damascus Gate (15^a), a market street runs directly south across the city, ending at 6^e. A second street goes from the same place first southeastward, then turns south at 13^d and, after several bends, reaches the eastern south gate, Bab el-Magharibe (8^h). Both lines are crossed by David Street, which runs from the Jaffa Gate (8^a) to the Temple platform (11^g). Its line corresponded to the northern wall of the city of Jerusalem in Jesus' time. A second cross street begins at 11^a and joins the second longitudinal street at 13^d. One may then go northwest along this street for a short distance and turn east at the Austrian Hospice (14^c), thus reaching St. Stephen's Gate (17^h).

The Via Dolorosa begins on the last-mentioned line at the site of the Antonia Fortress (15^e), continues along that section of the street from the Damascus Gate, and runs on the second cross street to 12^b, where it ends opposite the Church of the Holy Sepulchre as the site of Golgotha (11^ab).

The suburb in Jesus' time probably had its western wall along the line of the market street, and its northern wall roughly along the line of the Via Dolorosa. Outside it, then, remained the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which in Constantine's time had its entrance from the market street, and the so-called Pool of Hezekiah (9^ab). The Greek market (10^b) is on the site of the Hospital of the Knights of St. John; east of it is the Church of the Redeemer (11^c).

Beside the Jaffa Gate is the citadel (7, 8^a) with the Tower of David, Psephinos, at the northern boundary of the former palace of Herod, and the barracks square (7^ab).

Outside to the south are the Church of the Dormition (3^d) and the Cenacle, with David's tomb according to later tradition (4^e, lower left), surrounded on three sides by the cemeteries of the Christian denominations.

The approximate course of the southern city wall in Jesus' time ran from 1^e to 2^l, then turned north on the dam closing the Tyropoeon Valley at 3^l, and continued along the edge of the hill to the southeastern corner of the Temple platform (11^l). On the slope is the presumed Church of the Repentance of Peter (3^g).

By the Kidron is the Virgin's Spring, Gihon, at 8^l; the outlet of the rock-cut channel from there is by the Pool of Siloam (4^k), and David's fortress of Zion was in the area of 5 and 6^k. The Hebron road crosses the dam of the Sultan's Pool in the west at 1^ab.

6. The Temple platform and Jerusalem. View toward the east-southeast.

Photograph taken at midday.

Taken from closer range, this oblique photograph has a more three-dimensional effect than the vertical photograph in No. 5. The Haram, which corresponds to the sanctuary of the Herodian period, shows the broad area of the Temple's outermost court (1^k–16^m), with the al-Aqsa Mosque (2–4^lm) above an ancient approach to the Temple; the higher terrace (7^km–11^im, 12^lm), the site of the innermost Temple court, with its eight approaches; the Dome of the Rock (8, 9^kl) on the site of the altar; the Dome of the Chain (9^l); the rocky northwestern corner of the platform (12–14^hi), above which part of the Antonia Fortress stood; the barracks (14, 15ⁱ), corresponding to the other part of the fortress; and the pool Birket Isra'in (16^lm), which has been regarded as the Pool of Bethesda.

The traditional Via Dolorosa begins at the Antonia Fortress. The Chapel of the Taking Up of the Cross (15^g), the Ecce Homo Chapel (14^f), and the Ecce Homo Arch (14^g) over the street; the junction of the Via Dolorosa with the road from the Damascus Gate (16^b); the westward continuation from the corner at 12^e in the direction of 9^a; the Church of the Holy Sepulchre with two domes (8^ab); the German Church of the Redeemer (6, 7^c) with its cloister on the left; the Greek market, where the Hospital of the Order of St. John once stood (5, 6^bc); the present German Hotel Fast, “St. John” (7^b); the Patriarch's Pool (4, 5^a); the citadel with the Tower of David, Psephinos (1, 2^a), on the site of Herod's fortress; David Street from the Jaffa Gate (3^a) to the Temple platform (6ⁱ); beside it the courthouse, el-Mehkame (5ⁱ), probably the town hall in Jesus' time; and the Jews' Wailing Place (4ⁱ) below the enclosure wall of the Temple platform.

The presumed historical Passion route of Jesus led from Herod's palace, the Tower of David, to Golgotha as the opposite height (7–9^a-c), outside the suburb wall along the line of the market street (4–10^d). The present city wall is 13^a–16^b, and the road outside it is 14^a–16^b. Compare Orte und Wege Jesu³, pp. 286ff.

7. Jerusalem's southern surroundings. View toward the southeast. V. 784.

FA 304, No. 2245. 13 July 1918, 6:30 a.m.; altitude 400 m; focal length 50 cm.

An autumn morning picture with shadows to the west. In the foreground the watershed runs approximately along the line of the road from 12^f to 5^m. East of it is the descent to Wadi en-Nar; west of it is the Valley of Rephaim, whose northern edge begins approximately along the line of the road from 6^e to 9^e. Here hilly terrain begins, recognizable as rocky by its lighter color and white patches. One high point is the patriarchal seat Katamon (1^e, 2^d); a valley, Wadi Ka‘at el-Uzir, lies on the line of the road to el-Malha (10^d to 1^d), with tributaries coming from the north, in the easternmost of which is the Monastery of the Cross (6^c). To the right is Jerusalem with the Jaffa suburb, the Old City encircled by the Valley of Ben-Hinnom (13^f–16^h), above which is the Sultan's Pool (13, 14^f).

The Hebron road (13^f–1^k) has almost parallel secondary lines on both sides with the same destination; a third road (11^f–1^g) runs through the plain in the direction of Beit Safafa. Of greater importance is the already mentioned road to el-Malha (13^d–1^d), which may be regarded as the old connection to the southern coastal land and Gaza, and finally the Jaffa road (14^d–9^a). At the station (12^f) the railway from Jaffa arrives; it first follows the Beit Safafa road (1^g–5^g) and then turns in a curve, passing over 11^g, toward the station. Noteworthy is the connecting line through the olive groves of Nikeforiye (13^d–12^f) between the Malha road and the western Hebron road, now also leading to the station. The new water pipeline built in 1918 appears as a dark line (1^h, 5^g, 6^c, 8^a) from the ‘Arrub pool halfway to Hebron; see Nos. 11 and 37 and PJB 1921, pp. 77ff. The new Jewish colony Talpioth lies between the Hebron road and its southern parallel (10^h–8ⁱ).

8. Jerusalem's southern suburb with the German Colony. View toward the northwest. V. 806^a.

FA 304, No. 1411. 20 May 1918, 1:30 p.m.; altitude 5,000 m; focal length 50 cm.

A midday picture with northern shadows. The terrain lies at the point where the Valley of Ben-Hinnom turns from north-south to west-east. The Sultan's Pool, with its small surface of water (2, 3^h), fills the valley floor shortly before the turn, followed by a Jewish colony (4^f). Olive plantations lie farther below (3^d–1^b), and more extensively in the area to the west, in the foreground. The Monastery of St. Onuphrius and Hakeldama (1^a) are on the southern edge of the valley; the rock tomb of the Herodian family is at 3^l, above; and the Greek farmstead et-Talabiye (10^k) is in the west.

The so-called Mount Zion in the north, with the group of houses at Nebi Daud (1^ef) and the German-English cemetery (2^ef), has opposite it, to the west, Jewish colonies (4^h–2^k); to the south Jebel Abu Tor, the Hill of Evil Counsel (3^a–6^c); to the southwest the rocky summit Ras ed-Dabbus (6^ef), over which the watershed bends from north to east; then the station (7^ef), the German Templer Colony (8^f–10^d–11^f), and the leper home of the Protestant Moravian Brethren (13^k–14^l). Below is the English sports ground (16, 17^h).

Historically, the area is significant because the boundary between the tribes of Judah and Benjamin ascended here from the Valley of Ben-Hinnom to the mountain north of the Valley of Rephaim and then turned northeast toward the spring of Nephtoah (Josh. 15:8f.), and because Pompey camped here in 65 BC on Jebel Abu Tor (Jewish War V.12.2). A village called “Kichererbsenhausen” probably occupied Ras ed-Dabbus at that time (Jewish War, same passage).

9. Jerusalem's inner western suburb. View toward the east. V. 799.

FA 304, No. 1354. 18 May 1918, 3:45 p.m.; altitude 4,500 m; focal length 50 cm.

In the center is the Mamilla Pool (8, 9^h), the collector of rainwater from the surrounding depression, with which the Valley of Ben-Hinnom is connected, still filled now in May. It is surrounded by a Muslim cemetery, around which traffic must find its way. From the northeastern corner of the Old City, near 11^m, the Jaffa road runs to 15^a; along it are the small city garden (12^l) and the Russian Compound with its church (13, 14ⁱ), pilgrims' houses, and administrative buildings (12^k–13^g–15^k), now used for other purposes. Set apart is Talitha Kumi, the girls' orphanage of the Kaiserswerth deaconesses (11^b–13^b). The connecting road from the Jaffa road to the Damascus Gate (16^a–17^m) has beside it the hospital of the London Jewish Mission (16, 17^a), the German consulate (16^bc), the German hospital of the Kaiserswerth deaconesses (15, 16^d), and the German Protestant parsonage (17^gh). Set apart are the domed Ethiopian church (17^f) and the former house of the German Protestant Palestine Institute (17^f, left), the American Palestine Institute (17^f, below), and the chapel of the English church mission (16^kl).

Far to the west are the Ratisbonne school for Arab children (7^ab) and the Jewish Bezalel School of Arts and Crafts (9^a). By the Mamilla cemetery is the old hospice of the Catholic German Association of the Holy Land (11^e). On the left is the road to el-Malha (9^m–1^c), with a connecting road to the station (8^k–1^m) through Nikeforiye with military tent camps, and the road to ‘Ain Karim, first toward the Monastery of the Cross (4^f–2^a). In the area of the Mamilla Pool one may locate the Fuller's Field, on whose road, and also at the starting point of the conduit from the upper pool, Isaiah was to meet King Ahaz (Isa. 7:3). The “Camp of the Assyrians” belongs in the area of the Russian Compound (2 Kings 19:35); Titus too set up the camp there from which he conquered Jerusalem (Jewish War V.3.5; V.12.2).

10. Jerusalem's outer western suburb. View toward the southeast. V. 800^a.

FA 304, No. 2588. 1 August 1918, 12:30 p.m.; altitude 4,500 m; focal length 50 cm.

The upper-right corner of picture 9 is repeated here in the lower center. The Jaffa road and the connecting road from the Damascus Gate meet at 8^g. Talitha Kumi (7^l), the German parsonage (15^m), the hospital (11^k), the consulate (10ⁱ), and the Jewish mission hospital (9, 10^gh) are also visible here. New along the Jaffa road are the schools and workshops of the Alliance Israélite (7^h) and, far outside, the Jewish Shaare Zedek Hospital (2^a). To the right of the Jaffa road and along the left parallel road are Jewish colonies; at 2^c and 1^d is the Yemenite colony, and the pool Birket el-Khandak is at 1^hi. Jewish colonies also lie to the north and east, and the Jewish von Lämel School is at 11^g.

A depression that drains eastward through Wadi Lukka toward the upper course of the Kidron Valley corresponds to the northern road parallel to the Jaffa road (10^a–17^h). On its right side lies the property of Pastor Schneller's Syrian Orphanage, founded in 1860, though the orphanage itself is no longer visible; on the height is “Abraham's Vineyard,” an English Christian foundation for Jewish workers (11, 12^a–12, 13^b), and beyond it the Jewish Bukharan Colony (15–17^g–16^d).

Everything west of Jerusalem was without houses until 1859. Only from then on did Christian institutions, and then especially Jewish immigrants, begin to settle the terrain along the Jaffa road. Grain fields and olive groves, in which tents were pitched for summer recreation, and individual watchtowers securing the road accompanied the pilgrim coming from Jaffa as far as the city gate. David too traveled this road when he brought the Ark of God to his city (2 Sam. 6:12); compare PJB 1913, p. 36; 1921, pp. 95, 103.

11. The entire western suburb of Jerusalem. View toward the northwest. V. 787.

FA 304, No. 2941. 15 September 1918, 8 a.m.; altitude 5,000 m; focal length 50 cm.

This view reaches even farther west than No. 10, showing the western suburb from the outside. Here the Jaffa road begins in the area of its greatest height, 819 m (11^k), north of which the ground reaches its highest point at 828 m (9^k). The watershed between the Mediterranean and the Dead Sea runs as far as this point, because the shallow depression that continues from here over Wadi Lukka toward 1^c is connected with the Kidron Valley.

On the north the watershed line follows past the Syrian Orphanage (5^h) (formerly Khirbet Bedr) and Abraham's Vineyard (4^h), running toward the Karm el-Ka‘k north of Jerusalem (see No. 12). On the south it follows the Jaffa road as far as the former government hospital (7^e) and encircles the Mamilla cemetery (7, 8, 9^a) on the west and south. The valley of Wadi esh-Sheikh, which runs down from the Jaffa road (10ⁱ) to the Monastery of the Cross (16^a), already belongs to the descent toward the Mediterranean. The water conduit from the ‘Arrub pools (compare Plate 7) climbs up it to its settling basin (9ⁱ) and carries the water from this high point into the city.

The ridge with the tomb of Sheikh Bedr (12ⁱ) bounds this valley on the west; beyond it adjoins Wadi Sahyun, which likewise runs northward and along whose western side the road to ‘Ain Karim passes by. Where this road branches off from the Jaffa road (12^k), Jewish old-age homes (12^kl) and a Jewish asylum (12^k) stand beside it.

Olives on the height of Sheikh Bedr and in the valley by the Monastery of the Cross (16^ab), young pine plantations near the Syrian Orphanage (4, 5^g), and others on the slope of Ras en-Nadir (5^l) are important representatives of the tree life in the west of Jerusalem. The pool Birket el-Khandak (11^de) collects only rainwater. For the relief of the landscape compare Plate 1.

12. Northwest of Jerusalem. View toward the southeast. V. 801.

FA 304, No. 2944. 15 September 1918, 8:30 a.m.; altitude 5,000 m; focal length 50 cm.

A morning view that links No. 11 with No. 13. The seemingly level area in the center is crossed by the watershed, which, coming from the Syrian Orphanage, runs across this area roughly through its middle and passes over toward the height of the Karm el-Ka‘k (16^e). To the north the ground slopes down toward Wadi Umm el-‘Amad (no longer visible), to the south toward the basin of the pool Birket en-Nka‘ (9, 10^l) and the upper course (10^l, 11^m) of Wadi ed-Joz that passes north of it — that is, once again, part of the Kidron Valley.

The land here, used for farming, was once important — especially along the northern slope — because of the burial chambers that were cut into these rocky edges (e.g. 8^a, 7^ab). On the left is the handsomely laid-out colony of the Bukharan Jews (3^d–4^h); south of it are more densely built Jewish colonies, of which Mea Shearim (Meshorim), on the road coming from the Syrian Orphanage (2^l, 3^m), is the best known. Beyond the depression are the outermost groups of houses of the northern suburb, here too a Yemenite colony (10^m).

The northern road out of Jerusalem (11^m–17ⁱ) crosses the valley on an embankment (11^m), then climbs steeply (12^l, 13^k), a stretch that a switchback bypasses to the east (13^m). Across the level ground comes from the north (7^a) the road from Bet Hanina, ed-Jib–Gibeon, and Nebi Samwil; at 7^d it divides into the routes to the Damascus Gate (6^m) and to Herod's Gate (9^m), with the footpath from Sho‘fat (16^a–9^l) being less important. Apart from the grounds of the Syrian Orphanage (1, 2^b-d) and Abraham's Vineyard (1^ef), and a few gardens, there is hardly a tree in the whole area.

13. Jerusalem's northern suburb. View toward the south. V. 796.

FA 304, No. 2945. 15 September 1918, 8:30 a.m.; altitude 5,000 m; focal length 50 cm.

Fairly level ground adjoins the Old City on the north. Yet the ascent toward the watershed in the west (1^g-l) is followed by a shallow depression (3, 4^k), then the beginning, at 778 m, of Jerusalem's eastern hill — artificially separated by the city wall from its southern continuation (6, 7^k). Now called es-Sahira, it was held by Thenius and others to be Golgotha (5–7^h), and is famous for the supposedly genuine Tomb of Christ on its western edge (5^h). After a second depression (8^h) comes a second low rise, the Karm esh-Sheikh (10, 11^h), before the descent to the Kidron Valley. This valley (14^m, 15^d, 10^a) encircles the northern suburb on the east and northeast and receives a tributary from the north (12^a-c). There are larger stands of olives in various places — gone since the war at 3^ef — and a large pine in the Karm esh-Sheikh (10^h).

From the Damascus Gate (5^k) runs the northern road; east of it stand the German Catholic St. Paul's Hospice (5^k), the French Dominican monastery (5, 6^fg), the church of the English bishop (5^c), and the main house of the “American Colony” (6^a). Roads lead to the Jaffa Gate (5^c–1^e) and to Herod's Gate (5^b–8ⁱ), beside which is the tomb of the royal family of Adiabene (5, 6^b); roads toward Bet Hanina, see No. 12 (2^a–4^e, 4^a–5^b); to ‘Anata–Anathoth (12ⁱ–16^a); the road to Jericho (12ⁱ–13^m); and the road from the Damascus Gate to the Jaffa road (5^k–1^g), compare Nos. 9 and 11.

Together with Nos. 9–12, this picture amounts to a plan of the northern and western suburbs of Jerusalem of a kind not previously available. Not only the exact position of every road, but every individual property, is rendered clearly and with complete reliability.

14. North and northwest of Jerusalem. View toward the northeast. V. 788.

FA 304, No. 958. 21 April 1918, 8 a.m.; altitude 4,000 m; focal length 25 cm.

The picture surveys the entire western and northern suburb from the north wall onward (1^d-g): the Jaffa road as far as the Jewish old-age homes beyond the watershed (1^d–9^a), and the northern road (1^f–16^m) to just short of Sho‘fat, about 3½ km. New here is the ground north of the Karm el-Ka‘k (10^h), above all Ras el-Mesharif with its western spur (10^l–12ⁱ), 779 m high, where the watershed crosses over to the east and then continues northward.

At it begins Wadi Umm el-‘Amad (13^h–17^d), which empties into Wadi Bet Hanina (Lifta) (17^c–14^a). Cloud shadows darken its southern slopes and hang over the suburb. In its full length the valley appears below the Syrian Orphanage (10^c–15^b).

Not everywhere distinct is the road to Bet Hanina (4^f–16^e), beside which lies the so-called Tomb of the Judges (11^e), and its branch toward Bet Iksa (11^d–16^b); entirely clear are the northern road with its switchback at Ras el-Mesharif and the fork toward Jeba‘ (14^m), and the Mount of Olives road with its shortcut (6^i-m) leading to ‘Anata, like the road from the corner of the city (1ⁱ–4^m).

15. The Mount of Olives range. View toward the north. V. 836.

FA 304, No. 1524. 26 May 1918, 1 p.m.; altitude 4,500 m; focal length 50 cm.

The Mount of Olives is the southernmost peak of a ridge running first to the southeast and then to the south, as the Mount of Olives road indicates (17ⁱ–10^c). The mountain itself divides into the Ascension summit (815 m), with the Ascension shrine and the village of et-Tur (10^bc); the Russian summit (818 m), with the Russians' tall bell tower (8, 9^c); and the Galilee summit (813 m), with a Greek church for the event of Matt. 28:16ff. (11, 12^d). After a slight dip in the ridge there follow, to the north, the German summit — Arabic Umm et-Tala‘ (813 m) — with the hospice of the Empress Augusta Victoria Foundation (9, 10^g), and the Jewish summit — Arabic el-Madbase (831 m) — which is to carry the Hebrew University (14^k).

East of the Russian summit adjoins the much lower Ras esh-Shiyah, now settled again (5, 6^b). Together with the Mount of Olives ridge, the eastern fall of the Russian summit forms the watershed between Wadi en-Nar and Wadi es-Sidr. To the basin of the former belong Wadi Kaddum (5^a–7^b) in the south and the Kidron Valley (12^a–17^f) in the west, while the eastern valleys belong to the basin of Wadi es-Sidr — more precisely, as far as Umm et-Tala‘ to Wadi el-Lehham (3^a–1^h), and then as far as el-Madbase to Wadi Merajir ed-Daba‘. The small plain of Ibke‘dan (1^ik) thus belongs to the latter. Ras et-Tmim (probably 2^lm) has lately been proposed as Bahurim.

The important routes, besides the carriage road up the Mount of Olives, are the carriage road to Jericho (17^d–1^b), which skirts the mountain on the south, and then three paths leading over the ridge to the same destination. The first passes over the Ascension summit, by the Bethphage chapel (6^c), and runs either by way of el-‘Azarije–Bethany (1^a) or directly (1^b) to the Jericho road. The second crosses the Mount of Olives south of the Ascension summit (10^c) and reaches the carriage road along Wadi el-Lehham (1^f). The third, once a Roman road, skirts Umm et-Tala‘ on the south (10^f) and joins the carriage road only halfway to Jericho. For Jesus' road from Jericho to Jerusalem all three must be considered; the northernmost is the most likely.

For the relief of the Mount of Olives ridge compare No. 2, and Orte und Wege Jesu³, fig. 30 (an aerial view of the Mount of Olives ridge from the east).

16. The Mount of Olives and the Kidron Valley. View toward the southeast. V. 792.

FA 304, No. 1357. 18 May 1918, 3:15 p.m.; altitude 4,500 m; focal length 50 cm.

On the Mount of Olives are visible the Ascension summit, with the round Ascension shrine (14^kl) and the Carmelite convent (13^l) with the Pater Noster shrine (12^k), and the Galilee summit (17^h-k). The western slope shows its three paths to Jerusalem: the northern one, with its bend at the so-called Tombs of the Prophets (10^k), probably once continuing straight toward the Bethphage chapel; the middle one, at the site of Jesus' Weeping (Luke 19:41) (12^h); and the southern one, which now bends up toward the Ascension summit (15^k), but originally continued over the saddle between the Ascension and Galilee summits and also offered a connection to the Roman road (see No. 15).

The Franciscan garden of Gethsemane lies near the foot of the mountain (11, 12^d), with the site of the now-rebuilt old church beside it on the south; above it is the Russian Church of Mary Magdalene (11^f), below it the Tomb of the Virgin (12^d) and the Grotto of the Agony (12^d). The Jericho road crosses the valley floor here (12^d) and then runs along the near side of it, over the bare slope covered with Jewish gravestones.

In the valley below — formerly planted with olives — are the Tomb of Absalom (8, 9^e), the Tomb of St. James and the Tomb of Zechariah (8^f), the Spring of the Virgin (formerly Gihon) (3^e), and the Arab village of Silwan (1–4^gf). Among the routes to the city, note the detour of the carriage road to St. Stephen's Gate (13^c–12^b), the road to the David Gate (10^e–1^a), which probably corresponds to an old road, and its former connection to the southern Mount of Olives paths (9^ef, 10^g). The Golden Gate (10^c) of the Temple Mount remains without a direct approach. Compare Orte und Wege Jesu³, pp. 273ff., 338ff.

17. The Jericho road I (descent from Bethany). View toward the northeast. V. 844.

FA 304, No. 216. 3 January 1918, 2:15 p.m.; altitude 3,000 m; focal length 21 cm.

The fall toward the desert from the southern end of the Mount of Olives ridge is broken up by a number of valleys. To the Wadi es-Sidr system belongs Wadi es-Sikke, called Wadi el-Hod in its upper course (8^e-m), with its tributaries: on the left Wadi ed-Jemel (5^g–7ⁱ), on the right Wadi ‘Arak Nazil, or Wadi el-Lehham (13^c–9^k), which comes from the Mount of Olives, and Wadi Mrajir ed-Daba‘, beginning at the Ibke‘dan depression (15^d). From Bethany comes Wadi Abu Dis (9^b–1^f), which belongs to a second main branch of Wadi es-Sidr. At the edge of the picture Wadi en-Nar is touched (1–6^a). From the 818 m of the Mount of Olives the ground falls to el-‘Azarije (615 m) by 200 m, and a further 300 m to the junction of Wadi ed-Jemel with Wadi es-Sikke (about 400 m).

Settlements: el-‘Azarije–Bethany, in two parts (9^b), and the history-less Abu Dis (4, 5^c), the outermost outposts of the settled land toward the desert.

The Jerusalem–Jericho carriage road can be traced from Wadi Kaddum (11^a) over el-‘Azarije to Wadi es-Sikke (8^m); besides it, the path over Bethphage to the road (12^a–9^b), the path through Wadi el-Lehham (13^a–12^e), the Roman road (15^a-c) with a connecting path toward Wadi el-Lehham (14^b–13^d), and the path from Abu Dis to Jerusalem (5^b–8^a) as a dark line. — The arrow is inexact.

18. Jericho II (the ascent of Adummim). View toward the north. V. 857.

FA 304, No. 955. 21 April 1918, 8 a.m.; altitude 4,000 m; focal length 23 cm.

In the middle of the desert, at the boundary of the basins of Wadi es-Sidr (16^d–8^a), of Wadi el-Kelt through its side branch Wadi Abu-d-Dba‘ (5, 6^f–4ⁱ), and of Wadi Medbah ‘Aijad (4^e–1^d), which runs parallel to Wadi el-Kelt. The depression of the first step of the hill country's eastern fall ends here at a height of 196 m, after which, with the climb to 310 m at the castle ruin Kal‘at Tal‘at ed-Damm (3^f), the second step follows.

The carriage road begins here, 6 km beyond its eastern end on No. 17; it first runs along Wadi es-Sidr (16^d–14^e), surmounts with switchbacks (on both ascent and descent) at Turret el-Beda the ground swell between it and a tributary (13^e–11^f), and then passes over into the depression below the height of Kal‘at ed-Damm, which it crosses at Khan Hatrur, the so-called Inn of the Good Samaritan (4^f), in order now to descend as the Tal‘at ed-Damm — the ascent of Adummim of Josh. 15:7 — (4^e–1^f).

The road from ‘Anata–Anathoth joins the carriage-road line at Turret el-Beda (16^f–13^f); a road from Jeba‘ over Wadi Fara runs somewhat farther east (12ⁱ–9^g). The Kelt spring is reached by way of Wadi Abu-d-Dba‘ (7^f–3ⁱ).

19. The Jericho road III (Wadi el-Kelt). View toward the southeast. V. 862.

FA 304, No. 2602. 1 August 1918, 12:20 p.m.; altitude 4,500 m; focal length 50 cm.

The road now descends continuously from its height at Khan Hatrur (1^d), 310 m; by the probably still-ruined coffee house Khan el-Meshrab (11^g) it is only 131 m high, and at the right edge of the picture (16ⁱ), about 5 km from Jericho, 27 m above sea level. To the north it is accompanied by a higher rim that introduces the fall toward Wadi el-Kelt, which — as the deepest channel of the desert in this region — drains the area east of the watershed from Ras Abu Halawi as far as Betin.

The main valley is visible before the confluence of Wadi Fara (from the left) and Wadi es-Sweinit (from the right) at 12^b; then follow the area of the spring el-Fauwar (13^c), the spring ‘Ain el-Kelt (13^e), and the mill driven by its stream (14^e), below the mouth of the side valley Wadi Abu-d-Dba‘ coming from the southwest (1^c–13^e). Above it rises the ridge of ‘Arak Ibrahim (2^a–9^b), the watershed between Wadi Fara and Wadi Abu-d-Dba‘.

Through the foreground, as a branch of the main road, runs the so-called Nebi Musa road (11^g–4^m), which since 1908 has provided an easier-to-maintain carriage road to Jericho, at the cost of a 6½ km detour to the south. At its heights the desert appears everywhere covered with the youngest limestone strata (nari). Where the fall to the Jordan plain sets in (6^l–16^k), erosion has exposed a long band of flint.

20. The Jericho road IV (descent to the Jordan Valley). View toward the northeast. V. 1042.

FA 304, No. 721. 27 March 1918, 3:30 p.m.; altitude 3,000 m; focal length 25 cm.

The road (13^a–3^m) now runs, at the fracture line of the Jordan rift, already 27 m below sea level, in the immediate vicinity of the water-bearing Wadi el-Kelt, whose monastery lies beyond the upper edge of the picture; and it finally has, despite two switchbacks (11^e, 10^f), a very steep descent to about −180 m, while Jericho lies another 70 m lower. An old pack trail straight to the Jordan ford by Wadi el-Kelt runs farther south through Wadi Medbah ‘Aijad (7^a–1^f). Parallel to the mountain fall, the great meridional valley-route runs northward (1^e–9^m).

A castle ruin is Khirbet Kakun (5^f); an old collecting pool for the water led here from the Kelt spring is Birket Musa (5^hi). A northern, waterless tributary of Wadi el-Kelt is Wadi Shuchch ed-Daba‘ (16^f–9ⁱ); on the near side of it begins the ascent (13^k–16^l) to a historically important road toward Betin (see PJB 1913, pp. 26ff.; 1914, p. 17). Military camps and trenches at various places. Not a tree.

21. The northern road from Jerusalem I (Sho‘fat and Tell el-Ful). View toward the northeast. V. 648.

FA 304, No. 2704. 15 August 1918, 1:30 p.m.; altitude 4,800 m; focal length 50 cm.

Only a few hundred meters are missing from the picture for the road to connect with No. 14. The older line of the road departs little from the new one. Independent of it is a military field railway (1^b), which soon crosses the road (6^c) and then continues on the other side (as far as 12ⁱ).

The watershed follows the heights east of the road. Down to Wadi ed-Damm (17^a) runs the two-branched side valley Challet Mesh‘al.

Besides the village of Sho‘fat (4, 5^ab), the hill opposite it—occupied by the insignificant ruin Khirbet es-Soma‘ (3^f)—is noteworthy, and still more the hill of Tell el-Ful (7^k), the ruin of the fortress of Saul's Gibeah. At the eastern foot of this hill runs a path from Hezma to Jerusalem (5^m–1^e). On the northern road in general see PJB 1925; on Tell el-Ful see Linder, Sauls Gibea (1922), and Albright, Annual IV (1924), pp. 1ff.

22. The northern road from Jerusalem II (Bet Hanina, er-Ram). View toward the east-northeast. V. 642.

FA 304, No. 231. 3 January 1918; altitude 3,000 m; focal length 25 cm.

From the road, 2 cm (1, 2^d) repeat about 7 cm of No. 21. There then follow stretches with greater deviations of the new line from the straight-running old one, up to the crossing of Wadi en-Nuss (9^b), at which point the old and new lines coincide.

Here too the watershed follows the heights east of the road, from Tlel el-Ful (1^de) to the hill of the village er-Ram—Ramah (13^m).

The Beth-horon road coming from Jaffa and Lydda (16^c–3^e) passes the hill of Khirbet ‘Addase—Adasa (14^d) and joins the northern road at Khirbet el-Hawanit (3^d). Less important is the path from the village of Bet Hanina (8, 9^ab) to the main road (3^e) and to the Beth-horon road (11^e), but important is the way from er-Ram (13^m) over Kharaib er-Ram, now a quarry, to the Beth-horon road and Gibeon (16^d), with a branch line below er-Ram (12^m) from Dscheba—Geba of Benjamin.

— The valley below er-Ram crosses the northern road as Wadi en-Nuss (8^h), then runs as Wadi ed-Damm before the area of Bet Hanina (9^b) and empties into Wadi Bet Hanina (5^a), coming from ed-Dschib—Gibeon, the great water artery of the terrain west of the watershed, here visible at the upper edge of the picture from the area of Bir Nebala (16^a) onward. Terraces on the slopes and fields on the flats show the cultivation of the land.

23. The northern road from Jerusalem III (Kalandie, Kufr ‘Akab, Rafat). View toward the east. RA.

FA 301, No. 908. 15 April 1918, 8 a.m.; altitude 4,200 m; focal length 50 cm.

Only about 2 cm are missing for the connection with No. 22. The valley channel of the upper course of Wadi en-Nuss veers off westward in the plain of el-Bak‘a (1^f–4^e–10^h), while the road runs straight on until, at Khirbet ‘Attara—Ataroth-addar (11ⁱ), it rejoins the valley and now passes Tell en-Nasbe (15^ik) in Wadi Dschiljan.

Present-day settlements are, in the east, Kufr ‘Akab (9ⁱ, not at the name), and in the west, Kalandie (6^c), Dschedire (6^a) and Rafat (13^b), the last two in the area of the parallel valley Wadi Bir ed-Der (16^a–5^a), the upper course of Wadi Bet Hanina.

The valley on the near side of the carriage road (3–1ⁱ), with its branches above, belongs to Wadi en-Natuf, a side valley of Wadi es-Swenit, and thus to the catchment of the Jordan.

24. The northern road from Jerusalem IV (Tell en-Nasbe). View toward the east. V. 595.

FA 304, No. 224. 3 January 1918, 2:15 p.m.; altitude 3,000 m; focal length 25 cm.

The road (5½ cm here = 8 cm on No. 3), less distinct, begins at Khirbet ‘Attara—Ataroth-addar (1^f), passes the spring ‘En en-Nasbe (4^g) and the ancient settlement site of Tell en-Nasbe, probably Mizpah (5^f), and reaches as far as near the spring of el-Bire (17^g).

To the system of Wadi ed-Damm belong Wadi Dschiljan (17^f–1^f), in which the road runs, and the parallel Wadi Duwet to the west (according to the English map) (11^c–2^f), with a path from Ramallah to the carriage road (17^d–1^f).

The path from el-Bire to Rafat (14^f–5^a) is important as a connection to the Beth-horon road at el-Latatin. As the upper course of Wadi Bet Hanina may be reckoned the Wadi Bir ed-Der lying still farther west (15^b–9^a), which the path from Ramallah to ed-Dschib—Gibeon follows.

To the eastern drainage of the country belongs Wadi el-‘En (17^g–6ⁱ), coming from el-Bire, a tributary of Wadi es-Swenit.

25. The northern road from Jerusalem V (el-Bire, Ramallah). View toward the northeast. V. 596.

FA 304, No. 225. 3 January 1918, 2:15 p.m.; altitude 3,000 m; focal length 25 cm.

From No. 24, 9 cm on the right are repeated here on the left as 7½ cm. The northern road coming from Wadi Dschiljan crosses the height of the watershed (6^e, 7^f) and passes between the village of el-Bire (8, 9^gh), 810 m, and the Ras et-Tahune (11^fg), 893 m, over into the region of valleys belonging to the eastern slope of the country (Wadi es-Swenit), while the watershed continues to the west.

The Dschebel et-Tawil (1–3^kl), though at 910 m the highest point of the area, lies on the near side of the watershed.

The northern road continues from 12ⁱ as a carriage road in a northerly direction (16ⁱ). A second branch, which was probably the oldest northern road, turns from 12ⁱ to the northeast (15^m) in the direction of Betin—Bethel (14^m).

West of el-Bire lies Ramallah (11–12^ab), 869 m, connected to it and to the northern road (at 7^e) by a road, above the Wadi el-Merara (13^d–15^b) skirting it to the north, belonging to the system of the Nahr el-‘Odscha. There is, however, also a path running northward along the watershed between Ramallah and el-Bire (7^e–17^g), whose nearest destinations must be taken to be Surda and Dschifna—Gophna, but which also ties in further connections to the northwest.

26. The northern road from Jerusalem VI (the road to Bethel). View toward the east. V. 597.

FA 304, No. 226. 3 January 1918, 2:15 p.m.; altitude 3,000 m; focal length 25 cm.

About 10 cm to the right of No. 25 equal 9 cm to the left of No. 26. The northern road, remaining always east of the watershed, here passes the great winter water-pond el-Balu‘ (12, 13^de), which forms a basin without outflow but nevertheless stands in connection with a valley running off to the east (6^k–m) that, like the more southerly Wadi ed-Dscherar (7^d–1^e), belongs to the system of Wadi es-Swenit.

The pond lies 834 m high and proves that it, and with it the road, lies not much lower than the height reached at el-Bire.

The old northern path leading past Betin—Bethel is visible only as far as the area of ‘En el-Kas‘a (7^m). The path running closer to the carriage road toward the southeast (7^e–15^m) has the village of ‘En Ebrud as its nearest goal and from there makes possible a connection to the line of the carriage road, but also leads past ‘En Ebrud back to the old northern path. — The village of el-Bire appears again at the upper left (2, 3^a), beside it the white rock surfaces of its threshing floors (2, 3^c).

27. The northern road from Jerusalem VII (Bethel—Betin). View toward the east. RA.

FA 301, No. 909. 15 April 1918, 8 a.m.; altitude 4,200 m; focal length 50 cm.

This picture repeats, in 2½ cm of its upper part, about 3½ cm of the lowest part of No. 26. The watershed of the country, which skirts the pond el-Balu‘ (No. 26) on the west, then turns immediately eastward, crosses over to the north side of the height on whose south ‘En el-Kas‘a lies (5^b), and then follows the ridge between two valleys, on which the old northern road of the country (4^a–17^k) continues.

To the west, Wadi el-Masajat (10^a–17^g) runs northward, but then turns west toward the system of Wadi Der Ballut and the Nahr el-‘Odscha. In the east, Wadi el-Mesil (17^k–1^h) runs southward, then joins Wadi ‘Abbas (4^a–1^f), which comes from the watershed, and unites with the system of Wadi es-Swenit, which belongs to the catchment of the Jordan.

Between the two valleys, separated from the watershed by a hollow running down to Wadi el-Mesil, lies—881 m high—Betin (8–10^g), once Bethel, on a low elevation; to its south a pond (7, 8^g) with the spring of the place, and to the north a group of natural rock ledges, el-Kal‘at (12–14^h), which has sometimes been identified as its ancient sanctuary.

For the location of Bethel it was important that near it an eastern road leading to Jericho branches off from the meridional road of the country. It crosses Wadi el-Mesil in a southeasterly direction and then turns more to the east (9^f, 8^h, 1^m). In doing so it skirts Burdsch Betin (5^k) with the ruins of a church, the presumed site of the ancient sanctuary which, according to Genesis 12:8 and 13:3, lay east of Bethel.

Of local importance is the path to Burka (6–1ⁱ). Important, however, is the way through Wadi el-Masajat (9^a–17^g), later passing ‘En Ebrud, which may be described as a parallel line to the northern road and rejoins it 5 km north of Betin. Cf. Sternberg, ZDPV 1915, pp. 1ff. (see also No. 26).

28. Michmash and Wadi es-Swenit. View toward the northeast. V. 638.

FA 304, No. 221. 3 January 1918, 2:15 p.m.; altitude 3,000 m; focal length 21 cm.

The village of Muchmas (8, 9^c), biblical Michmash, lies 607 m high on the eastern slope of the Judaean country above the deeply incised Wadi es-Swenit, which belongs to the catchment of the Jordan. Of this valley only a small loop is visible (5, 6^ab). A side branch descending from the height, Wadi et-Tin (17^g–7^a), determines its position from the south, and Wadi ez-Zetun (13^h–1^e) with the village's olives from the north—a position on a ridge that is connected with higher ground only in the northwest.

Here too lies its natural connection toward the ridge of the country in the direction of Betin—Bethel, the path recognizable from 10^f to 14^g.

A northern connection leads past Tell el-‘Askar (9, 10ⁱ) toward Rammun. To the southwest there is no lack of a path toward er-Ram (10^e–15^c).

In a southerly direction the depth of Wadi es-Swenit must be crossed in order to reach, first, Dscheba. The main path (not recognizable) crosses the valley at the mouth of Wadi et-Tin (7^a); a second path runs together with the path to er-Ram farther west, but then turns southward. On this see ZDPV 1904, pp. 161ff.; 1905, pp. 161ff.; PJB 1916, p. 48f.

29. Ephron-Ephraim-et-Taijibe. View toward the west. V. 581.

FA 304, No. 1753. 5 June 1918, 7:30 a.m.; altitude 4,800 m; focal length 50 cm.

With the high mountain range of Baal Hazor (el-‘Asur), not visible here, as its backdrop, the Christian village of et-Taijibe—once Ephron and Ephraim—thrones, visible from afar but off the great traffic routes, on its knoll (869 m). In this picture it appears by itself, surrounded north and south by great olive plantations that, on the south, fill Wadi Abul-Haijat (7^f–15^a). Its own height is the northern termination of a chain of heights that begins at Rammun and has its most prominent summit south of et-Taijibe in the Ras ez-Zemera (16^h).

A particular hill in the east, beyond the village's threshing ground, bears the ruin of a three-aisled church (6^h), called el-Chadr, which commemorates Jesus' stay in Ephraim (John 11:54).

Past it a path leads to the south (8^h–17^g), at first toward Rammun, continuing northward toward Der Edschrir and Kufr Malik (9ⁱ–1^g). The connection to the northern road of Jerusalem is represented by a path to the west (9^h–m), and a path to the southeast (4^d–12^a) by the descent to Jericho.

See Orte und Wege (3rd ed.), pp. 231ff., PJB 1925; cf. Albright, Annual IV, pp. 124ff.

29^a. The Rock of Rimmon, Rammun. View toward the west. V. 636.

FA 304, No. 219. 3 January 1918, 2:15 p.m.; altitude 3,000 m; focal length 21 cm.

The image, labeled as Mukhmas, was identified — with the agreement of Professor Albright — as Rammun, which lies 3 km south of et-Taijibe (No. 29) on the road to Mukhmas. It appears to occur as the “Rock of Rimmon” in Judges 20:45 and 21:13, and is recorded as Remmon by Eusebius and on the Madaba map.

The settlement lies at 762 m on a rocky height between the valleys Wadi ed-Dschami‘ (to the west) and Wadi Abu el-Hayat (to the east), both of which run south into Wadi et-Taff, which belongs to the system of Wadi en-Nue‘me (images 72 and 80).

Below the village (12, 13^fg) lies a large cave (Shqaf Daher) with a collapsed roof, which one might imagine as the refuge of the Benjaminites in Judges 20–21 (13^c), and a rock tomb with the shrine of Sheikh Dschildschal (11, 12^c).

The road to et-Taijibe runs 11^f–1^g; the road to Mukhmas, 13^g–17^f.

30. The western road from Jerusalem. View toward the southeast. V. 739.

FA 304, No. 101. 3 December 1917, 1:45 p.m.; altitude 3,200 m; focal length 25 cm.

A late-autumn picture of Judaean landscape in the early afternoon, from the region of Wadi es-Sarar, to which belongs all the land west of the country's watershed, from el-Bire in the north to el-Chadr in the south. The slope at the lower edge of the picture belongs to Wadi Kalonie, a continuation of Wadi Bet Hanina, 6 km west of Jerusalem (cf. No. 2). A considerable ridge separates this valley from Wadi el-Rrab (6^b–1^a), whose branch is Wadi ‘En Raf‘a (3^b–6^e), above Wadi Ekbala (7–10^f), called Wadi ‘En Dschamil (11^g–17^h).

The Jerusalem–Jaffa carriage road, which here had sunk to 558 m, has to climb within 1½ km up to 751 m (at 13ⁱ), hence the switchbacks at 12, 13^m, whose lowest part is missing. The road then drops again to Wadi Ekbala (9^f), 614 m, and has a new ascent up to 751 m at Der el-Azhar (8^b), where the watershed between the region of Wadi es-Sarar and the Nahr el-‘Odscha begins, whose outermost valleys appear between 7^a and 16^ab—see especially Wadi Katanne (12–15^a).

Settlements: Kastal (11ⁱ), Suba (3^f), both on towering knolls; Bet Nakuba (10^e) above Wadi Ekbala, with the ruin Khirbet Ekbala and the oak grove of Schech ‘Abdallah (7^f); Kerjet Abu Rosch—Kirjath Jearim (8^b, 9^bc) on its slope; el-Amur (3, 4^b) above Wadi ‘En Raf‘a, before the latter's confluence with the head of Wadi el-Rrab (6^b–1^a).

Besides the carriage road, a significant route is the connection—recognizable only at 9–11^b—from the carriage road at Kerjet Abu Rosch over Baten es-Sa‘ide (13^bc), 877 m, first to Biddu, then via ed-Dschib to el-Bire. Cf. PJB 1913, pp. 35ff.; 1921, pp. 95ff.

31. Bethlehem, north. View toward the south-southeast. V. 915.

FA 304, No. 2269. 13 July 1918, 6:20 a.m.; altitude 4,000 m; focal length 50 cm.

On a ridge connected with the watershed, Bethlehem lies 777 m high between valleys running off toward the east. But toward the west too it appears high, because the upper course of Wadi Ahmed (5^a–1^e), which runs along the watershed, separates the height of Bethlehem from the ridge of Bet Dschala, whose beginning is visible at 1^a.

The Jerusalem–Hebron road (14^a–1^b) sends out, near Rachel's Tomb (13^b), a side branch (12^b–10ⁱ) that makes the connection with Bethlehem. From Hebron a similar side branch does the same (1–7^k). The road to Bet Dschala runs 7^h–2^a. The old Bethlehem is to be presumed on this side of the line 7–9ⁱ.

Prominent buildings: the house of the French teaching brothers (9^g), the hospital of the French Sisters of St. Vincent (7^gh), the Carmelite convent (3, 4ⁱ), the hospital of the Swedish Jerusalem Society (6^f), and the Christmas Church (Weihnachtskirche) of the German Jerusalem Society (7ⁱ), whose tower is recognizable by its long pointed shadow (morning light).

The cistern before the gate, from which David had water fetched (2 Samuel 23:15), is shown on a northeastern hill spur (12ⁱ).

32. Bethlehem, south. View toward the southeast. V. 916.

FA 302, No. 2268. 13 July 1918, 6:30 a.m.; altitude 3,000 m; focal length 50 cm.

About 1½ cm of this picture repeats the previous one, though its direction is not the same. The arrow on both pictures is inaccurate. Old Bethlehem appears here in context (5–7^a to ^d). Adjoining it are the Church of the Nativity (8^de) and the southern suburb; all of it between the heads of the valleys—Wadi es-Samur to the east (7^b–16ⁱ) and Wadi Umm el-Kala to the west (3^a–4^m)—which later, joined together, run toward the Dead Sea.

Among the routes, the significant ones are the road to Artas (5^d–1^d), to Khirbet Teku‘-Thekoa (6^g·k–4^m), and to the nearby Bet Sahur (7^d–14^m). A composite overall view of Bethlehem (aerial photograph), Orte und Wege³, fig. 3.

Terrain set with olive trees all around the town, on the eastern descent of its own height, in the valleys on both sides, and on the mountains opposite.

33. Bethlehem and the Shepherds' Field. View toward the south-southeast. V. 918.

FA 304, No. 2809. 30 August 1918, noon; altitude 4,400 m; focal length 50 cm.

Bethlehem, south, with the Church of the Nativity (2^a) is visible at the upper left. One overlooks the southeast-facing descent of the height of Bethlehem, covered with olive groves, which broadens considerably and then runs out into a plain almost entirely occupied by fields (9^bc–16^bi). In this plain lies the olive grove of the Shepherds' Field of the tradition associated with Luke 2:8ff. (17^fg); at its edge is the village of Bet Sahur (9^d–14^f).

The road to Thekoa can be followed farther here (as far as 1ⁱ). Otherwise noteworthy are the roads to the desert (4ⁱ, 17^egi) and the road (15^a) toward Sur Bahir, lying to the northeast.

The reason for placing the “Shepherds' Field” in the plain below Bethlehem was a flock tower (Migdal Eder) that existed here, which could be understood as protection for the sheep spending the night near the desert. Cf. Orte und Wege³, pp. 49ff.

34. The pools and el-Chadr. View toward the northeast. V. 927.

FA 304, No. 113. 3 December 1917, 1:45 p.m.; altitude 3,200 m; focal length 25 cm.

Immediately beside the Hebron road, 4 km southwest of Bethlehem, lies the strong spring ‘En Salih (9^e), whose water Pilate probably first conducted to Jerusalem. Three pools (7^h, 8^gh), in part only of Arab origin, were meant to store the spring water that was surplus in winter for the summer; an Arab fortress (9^h) guarded the important point. But other springs too lie below in the valley. Beside it lay Etam, now Khirbet Wadi el-Choch (5^h), and the village of Artas (5ⁱ) still lies there, with a South American convent opposite it (4ⁱ).

The valley connects here with Wadi el-Bijar coming from the southwest (2^b–4^h), which through its western side valleys is linked to the country's watershed; the latter, before the road to el-Chadr (15^ik) branches off from the Hebron road (10^h), rises in a great westward arc to the height of the massif of Scherifet en-Nebi Danjan (994 m), whose summit the picture no longer shows, so that all the valleys in the picture drain to the Dead Sea except the small basin of el-Chadr, which has no outlet. At the foot of the summit of esch-Scherife, at the bend in the road, is the spring ‘En Masur (10^a).

Barely recognizable is the old line of the Hebron road, which, beyond the pools near 8^g, crosses over the heights to the upper course of Wadi el-Bijar (2^a). Small settlements were Khirbet ‘Alja (8^f) and Kh. Nustas, or Kh. el-Bire (7^c).

The new water pipeline from Wadi ‘Arrub, which crosses the road on this side of the pools, is not visible, because it did not yet exist in December 1917. Later photographs show it clearly.

35. Hebron and its immediate surroundings. View toward the northeast. V. 963.

FA 304, No. 2696. 15 August 1918, 1:30 p.m.; altitude 4,800 m; focal length 50 cm.

Hebron lies in southern Judaea, 927 m high, but—at least as the Arab el-Chalil—it is a settlement of slopes and valley, lying in a valley system that runs by way of Beersheba toward the Mediterranean. It is made up of seven quarters: 1. Harat el-Meschareka (3^g); 2. H. el-Kitun (1, 2^b); 3. H. el-Haram (3^h, 4^gh) with the Tombs of the Patriarchs (3^h) and the Sultan's Pool (4^g) on the valley road; 4. H. el-‘Akkabe and 5. H. el-Kazzazin (5, 6^g); 6. H. Bab ez-Zawie (7, 8^g) on the road; 7. H. esch-Schech (6^h–8^gh) on the slope; in addition the extensive northern suburb along the road to Jerusalem (9^g–14ⁱ).

The olive-covered hill er-Rumede (6–8^ef) is probably the site of the Hebron of the Israelite period.

A plain covered with fields and vineyards lies to the northwest, through which run the road (12–16^f) to Abraham's Oak and, via Bet Dschibrin, into the coastal land; above it, in a great arc, the carriage road to Beersheba (8^f–14^a); an older road to the same destination (4^g–9^a); the southern road to Jatta along Wadi el-Kadi (2^g–1^b); and the eastern road to Beni Ne‘em and ‘En Dschidi on the Dead Sea (3ⁱ–6^m).

36. Hebron and the southern Judean hill country. View toward the northeast. V. 961.

Morning photograph.

The city itself appears narrowed and partly concealed by the eastern height, owing to the more oblique photograph. But the view, which in the previous picture reached only as far as the line below ^e–e, here takes in a large part of the southwestern hill country.

The road to Beersheba can be seen descending into Wadi Sel ed-Dilbe (5^c) and, with a long switchback and shortcut, climbing again on the southern slope (7^b), passing the summit el-Hadab (891 m) (15^a). There is no settlement in this area of about 20 km extent. At the edge of the picture, west-southwest near 7^a, Dura-Adoraim (2 Chronicles 11:9) should lie.

In Hebron are the Haram, the sanctuary of the Tombs of the Patriarchs 4^k, the hill er-Rumede 6^h–9^hi, and the vineyards 12^c–17ⁱ. Its position on the country's great north–south line, the cultivable terrain toward the north, and the mountain spur of er-Rumede are the most important preconditions for David's first capital.

37. The pool and pipeline of Wadi ‘Arrub. View toward the west-northwest. V. 951.

FA 304, No. 2278. 13 July 1918, 6:30 a.m.; altitude 3,000 m; focal length 50 cm.

The road from Hebron to Jerusalem (1ⁱ–5^m) crosses, 11 km before Hebron, the broad Wadi ‘Arrub, which belongs to the eastern slope of the land. An inn (3ⁱ) is a much-used stopping place there.

But the valley gained new importance through the Jerusalem water pipeline laid out in 1918 by the British army administration, which restored the catchment pool (11^bc)—probably built in the 14th century—for the valley's springs and gave the water a new course through metal pipes. By machine power the water is pumped from there (830 m), through the pipeline visible in the picture as far as 1ⁱ, up to the height north of the valley of Wadi ‘Arrub, to a settling basin lying 940 m high, from which it flows off to Jerusalem.

The old conduit ran off to the east (12^a) and, by long routes, reached Jerusalem in a covered channel. Cf. PJB 1921, pp. 77ff.; PEFQ 1919, pp. 15ff.

The level valley floor is well cultivated with fields, unlike the slopes to the sides, on which, toward the road, remnants of oak woodland can also be recognized as short black strokes.

38. Descent to the hill country (Bab el-Wad). View toward the north. V. 683.

FA 304, No. 56. 29 November 1917, 12:30 p.m.; altitude 3,000 m; focal length 25 cm.

Within 5 km the carriage road from Jerusalem to Jaffa descends, between Saris and the inn of Bab el-Wad (8^k), from 704 m to 273 m, without then climbing again, so that with this the elevation of the hill country lying before the mountains to the west has been reached. The ridges that accompany the road in Wadi ‘Ali (1^c–10^m) represent the descent of the mountains at this point.

Bab el-Wad, “the gate of the valley,” is at the same time the crossing point of the still-important meridional (north–south) road at the foot of the mountains, which can be followed from Beersheba to the Beth-Horon road at the northern boundary of Judaea. The picture shows a part of this road leading south (9^k–12^a). It appears to have been improved during the war.

For the route of the Ark of God, carried on a cart from Beth-Shemesh to Kiriath-Jearim (2 Samuel 7:1), this line must be regarded as probable, because only here is an easy crossing possible from Wadi es-Sarar to Wadi ‘Ali and then a comparatively convenient ascent to Kiriath-Jearim. Cf. No. 41.

39. The Jaffa road in the hill country (el-Atrun, Emmaus). View toward the southwest. V. 695.

FA 304, No. 105. 3 December 1917, 1:45 p.m.; altitude 3,200 m; focal length 25 cm.

The highest elevation in this region is Ras el-‘Abd, 383 m (12^bc); a low point is the lower course of Wadi ‘Ali below el-Atrun (8^g), at 199 m. With this valley there later unites Wadi Selman (9ⁱ), coming from the northeast, which finally drains the plain of Bet Nuba (11, 12^a), once the Valley of Aijalon (Joshua 10:12). At its southern edge still lies Jalo-Aijalon (13^b); in the terrain between the two valleys lies ‘Amwas-Emmaus-Nicopolis (9^d), 225 m, immediately above the more southerly valley el-Atrun (9^f)—once a road fortress, 224 m high—beside it a Trappist monastery (8^f), and farther up Der Ejub (15, 16^cd), 326 m.

Along this valley runs the carriage road from Jerusalem (17^d–12ⁱ); it formerly crossed the height north of el-Atrun (11^f–9^e–6^f), but now bypasses it to the south (10^g–7^f) and, above the valley, takes the direction toward Jaffa (6^f–1^c).

The carriage road is crossed by a road coming from the Beth-Horon road in the northeast through ‘Amwas (8^a–6^b–8^g), which continues southwestward toward Ashdod (8^f–2^m) and in doing so climbs over into Wadi el-Chalil (10^k–2^m), which belongs to the system of Wadi es-Sarar, whereas Wadi ‘Ali and Selman drain toward the ‘Odscha River. A ridge road running parallel to the valley road, beginning behind Kerjet Abu Rosch, leads through Jalo and ‘Amwas back to the line of the carriage road (13^b–8^d–1^d).

For comparison, view the illustration of the Domus boni latronis in Zuallart (1586), reproduced in Ammann, Reise ins Gelobte Land (new edition of 1919), fig. 60, and not entirely correctly explained on p. 218. The old road to Jerusalem and the castle viewed from the north, before which the Emmaus church is placed, have as their background a multitude of small mountains evidently meant to represent the mountains of Judah, but which have nothing in common with the reality visible at el-Atrun = Latronis domus. See Orte und Wege Jesu³, pp. 241ff.

40. A village in the hill country (Aijalon-Jalo). View toward the west-southwest. V. 677.

FA 304, No. 2980. 15 September 1918, 8:30 a.m.; altitude 5,000 m; focal length 50 cm.

The village of Jalo (8^h–10ⁱ), once the Amorite city Aijalon (Judges 1:35), lies on a narrow hill running north–south (288 m) above Wadi ‘Amir (17^e–1^d), a side branch of Wadi Selman. Beyond the valley is the ruin mound Tell Koka‘ (11^ig), probably the old fortress of the place. West of Jalo is the shallow hollow Challet el-Bijara with the spring Ras el-‘En (10^k), below the hill of Schech Isma‘in (11^k), which one would like to imagine as the ancient place of sacrifice of Aijalon.

The road coming from Jerusalem arrives through Wadi ‘Amir (from 17^e), passes south of Jalo (10ⁱ), and then turns west (7^m) and north (4^m–1^k) toward ‘Amwas, 3 km to the west; cf. No. 39. To the same place leads the line running alongside the settlement across the plain (9^k–1^g); to Bet Nuba, across the plain, leads the northeastern road (5^g–2^a).

41. By the brook Sorek (Zorah, Beth-Shemesh). View toward the north. V. 755.

FA 304, No. 1948. 16 June 1918, 6 a.m.; altitude 4,200 m; focal length 50 cm.

A morning view in June; the dark fields suggest summer crops. The Valley of Sorek (Judges 16:4) corresponds to Wadi es-Sarar, the lower course of the important valley that drains the wider surroundings of Jerusalem and through which the railway line from Jaffa has climbed to Jerusalem since 1892. The picture shows the valley not far from where it emerges from the hill country, where Wadi en-Ndschil (1^d–3^f) and Wadi Bulos (10^a–17^f) enter the main valley from the south, and Wadi el-Metlak (6^m–8^g) from the north. Its waterless channel (1^f–17^g) runs through the plain of the well-cultivated valley.

The railway follows the channel at some distance on the south side (from 1^f at the top to 17^g). ‘Artuf station (9^g), with a soldiers' camp, lies diagonally opposite the village of ‘Artuf (5^k) and the Jewish colony of the same name (5^hi).

High above the valley, which lies at about 200 m above sea level, Sar‘a (15, 16^m), Zorah, stands on this side at an elevation of 356 m; it was Samson's home (Judges 13:2). On the far side, at an elevation of only 280 m, are ‘En Schems and Khirbet er-Rmele (12, 13^e), the Beth-Shemesh of 1 Samuel 6:12ff., then the boundary of Philistine territory. Besides the roads leading westward through Wadi es-Sarar, note the north–south route that crosses the valley near ‘Artuf (6^m–8^g–1^d) and intersects the carriage road to Jaffa at Bab el-Wad; see No. 38.

42. The Maccabean city of Modiin, el-Midje. View toward the southwest. V. 654.

FA 304, No. 151. 14 December 1917, 1:30 p.m.; altitude 2,700 m; focal length 25 cm.

El-Midje, once Modiin, the home and burial place of the Maccabees (1 Maccabees 2:1; 2:69; 13:25), still lies in the hill country. It is separated from the Beth-Horon road to Lydda, which passes to the south but is not visible, by Wadi el-Melaki (4^m–2^bc), and is isolated on the north by Wadi el-Khanuk (11^k–6^f), a branch of Wadi el-Kreka (3^e–17^c).

Probably more significant as the ancient settlement site than the present village (8^k) is the summit of er-Ras to the southeast (10^l), at 229 m, with a view of the Mediterranean; compare PJB 1912, pp. 19f. To the northeast, likewise at a high elevation (252 m), is the village of Na‘lin (9, 10^a) above Wadi en-Natuf (4^a–1^b), with substantial olive plantations. The oval area (6^bc), probably near Schech er-Rafati, resembles an ancient settlement site.

43. At the edge of the coastal plain (Neballat, Bet Nebala). View toward the north. V. 155.

FA 304, No. 137. 13 December 1917, 3:30 p.m.; altitude 2,500 m; focal length 25 cm.

Northwest of el-Midje, immediately beside the coastal plain and near a road that runs northwestward, connecting the Beth-Horon road with the north–south road of the coastal region, lies Bet Nebala (7, 8^de), formerly Neballat (Nehemiah 11:34), at an elevation of only 79 m. Two branches of Wadi Kreka (4^c and 1^k–14^e) cut through its extensive olive plantations. A road from ‘Abud to Lidd (1^g–15^b) passes it on the way to the plain, where the limestone hills (Senonian) abruptly disappear.

44. A city in the coastal plain (er-Ramle). View toward the southeast. V. 184.

FA 304, No. 613. 6 March 1918, 8:15 a.m.; altitude 4,500 m; focal length 25 cm.

In ancient times Lod-Lydda, today Lidd, at an elevation of 58 m, was the center of the coastal region around Jaffa. It has now been surpassed by er-Ramle (9–11^d-f), 3 km southwest of it, which can hardly have been Arimathea and first appears in the seventh century AD. The “White Mosque,” with Baibars's tower of 1268, stands to the west, outside the present city (8^bc). A large area of orchards lies to the west. The gardens to the north and east belong to Lidd, and the heads of the valleys to the east belong to Wadi Lidd.

The Jerusalem–Jaffa carriage road (13^m–11^a) skirts the city on the northeast. The railway (12^m–17^e) crosses the carriage road, reaches its station (12^g), and then bends northeast. The carriage road to Lidd (12^f–17^c), which is later crossed by the railway, indicates precisely the direction in which that city lies. A western and a southwestern road (1^a, 1^f) lead to Gaza, and a southern road (1^m) to Bet Dschibrin.

The Jaffa–Jerusalem road built by ‘Abd al-Malik around 700, which mostly corresponds to the present carriage road (plates 1, 2, 11, 30, 38, 68), was undoubtedly the cause of er-Ramle's rise. It diminished the importance of the Beth-Horon road, along whose route toward Jaffa Lidd lies, and certainly completely replaced the Roman road that approached the same destination through Kerijet Abu Rosch, Jalo, ‘Amwas, and Lidd. In this way ancient Lidd acquired a powerful rival in young er-Ramle.

45. The Plain of Jezreel I: view toward the west. V. 1248.

FA 304, probably December 1917 (see Plain of Jezreel IV); morning.

The Plain of Jezreel marks the separation of northern Palestine from central and southern Palestine. This division was created by a transverse fault running from southeast to northwest and made Galilee a distinct region.

At the same time, the plain forms a natural connection between the coast and the Jordan Valley and serves as one of the country's granaries. It has also been a theater of military campaigns from the time of Deborah and Barak (Judges 4–5) to Napoleon and the recent World War.

The view is taken from the eastern edge of the plain near el-Fule, perhaps the Cyamon of Judith 7:3, at the end of the Assyrian encampment around Bethulia. It is now the Jewish colony of Merchabia.

In the foreground is a farmstead belonging to el-Fule (7–12^g). In the middle distance (14^f) stands the village of el-‘Afule. Behind it, the Nahr el-Mukatta, the Kishon, begins its course toward the Mediterranean in a channel that is usually dry here.

The hills in the background form the northern edge of the Samaritan highlands, here called Bilad er-Roha. Their most prominent heights are Umm el-Harite (6, 7^f), at 312 m, and Umm el-Fahm (3, 4^f), at 393 m.

Between these heights, the pass of ‘Ara opens toward the coastal region. At its outlet, probably at 10^f, lies Tell el-Mutesellim, Megiddo; compare PJB 1914, pp. 34ff., 76ff.

A dark line behind the farmstead in the foreground (17^fg–1^g) marks the newest route across the plain, the Haifa–Damascus railway. It is crossed by a second line, the old Nazareth–Jerusalem road (17^g–1^f), while the new carriage road does not turn south until immediately before el-‘Afule.

46. The Plain of Jezreel II: view toward the northwest. V. 1252.

Morning photograph.

A two-centimeter strip from the right edge of view I is repeated here at the left.

In the foreground is the road from el-Fule to el-‘Afule railway station, with its group of houses (3–7^e). Behind it rises the Carmel range. El-Muhraka (4^e), at 514 m, is one of the range's highest summits as seen from this direction and is the presumed site of Elijah's sacrifice; compare PJB 1914, pp. 37f., and 1922/23, pp. 24f., 26f.

At the foot of Carmel, whose northwestern end remains out of sight, the Kishon finds its way to the sea. Low, oak-covered hills (10–17^e), containing the German colonies of Waldheim and Bethlehem, close off the plain.

From the photographer's position near el-Fule, at an elevation of 78 m, however, a narrow strip of the sea may be visible at 10–11^e. The rising hill country on the right already belongs to Galilee.

In the center of the picture (17^f–1^g) runs the old road from Nazareth to Jerusalem.

47. The Plain of Jezreel III: view toward the north-northwest. V. 1253.

Morning photograph.

A three-centimeter strip of plate 46 is repeated here.

The first tier of the Galilean hill country rises opposite. Its highest point is en-Nebi Sa‘in near Nazareth (14^e), at 488 m, which appears lower than Jebel el-Kafze, the “Mount of Precipitation,” at 392 m on the edge of the plain (15^e).

Besides elevated Nazareth, en-Nasira (14^e), Jafa (10, 11^e) is clearly recognizable. Less certain are lower-lying Jinjir, at 136 m near 8^f; above it, el-Mujedil, at 238 m; and farther on, probably Ikhnefis (5^f) and Jebata (4, 5^f).

All the pictures show the fertile plain, the site of intensive grain cultivation, lying bare, which accords with a photograph taken in December. Flying Detachment 304 celebrated Christmas here in 1917.

The outlet of the valley of Nazareth (14^ef), the descent of the carriage road from Nazareth to the plain (12^ef), and its old continuation across the plain toward Jenin and onward to Jerusalem (11^f–1^f) can be followed.

48. The Plain of Jezreel IV and Jebel ed-Dahi from the west. V. 1253^a.

FA 304, No. 146. 13 December 1917, 3:30 p.m.; focal length 25 cm.

The panorama lacks a view toward the northeast that would show Tabor as the southern end of the Galilean hill country.

Looking east, one sees the final 5 km of the plain before its descent to the Jordan. Because the viewpoint lies between the villages of el-‘Afule and el-Fule, el-Fule itself is visible on its height (8^f); below it is the farmstead seen in the foreground of panorama I, and above it (6^d) is the summit of Jebel ed-Dahi, at 515 m. This is the (Little) Hermon of Origen and others, but not the Hermon of Psalm 89:13 (Orte und Wege, 3rd ed., pp. 205f.), and perhaps the hill of the oracle-giver in Judges 7:1.

At its southern foot lies Solem (center of 10^e), recognizable only as a bright line among its orchards, the Shunem of Elisha (2 Kings 4:8ff.).

The plain rises eastward to 123 m at Jezreel, now Zer‘in, though the right edge of the picture does not extend that far. The mountain wall in the background, only faintly distinguished from the edge of the plain (15–17^e), belongs to the region of ‘Ajlun beyond the Jordan. The isolated summit on this side (13^e) is Kokab el-Hawa, probably named after Agrippina, the wife of Claudius (PJB 1922/23, pp. 43f.).

The prophet Elisha at Shunem and the kings Ahab and Jehu at Jezreel are among the historical figures of this landscape, as is Saul, who crossed the heights in the background to the medium of Endor behind Jebel ed-Dahi (1 Samuel 28:7ff.).

Important traffic routes are the Nazareth–Jerusalem carriage road (i–i), the el-‘Afule–Nablus railway (h–h), the Haifa–Damascus railway (1^g–17^f), and the road (1^g–9^f) that passes el-Fule and descends toward Beisan.

49. Gideon's Spring of Harod (‘Ain Jalud), from the northeast. V. 1279.

Afternoon photograph.

At the southern edge of the eastern descent of Palestine's transverse fault, about 3 km below Zer‘in—Jezreel, in the valley of Nahr Jalud, which flows toward the Jordan, the strong spring of this stream rises in a grotto beneath a rock face. Its water is now used by Jewish colonists to irrigate the entire valley below.

Here Gideon, whom Arab legend replaced with Goliath, once tested his fighters (Judges 7:1ff.; compare Weidenkaff, PJB 1921, pp. 18ff.); German soldiers are refreshing themselves in it in the picture.

The spring, 37 m below sea level, is a good example of the deep position of water veins in limestone country. The stream formed by the spring is not a collector of groundwater, but a drainage channel carrying the spring water down into the depths of the Jordan Rift.

50. Nazareth—en-Nasira. View toward the east. V. 523.

FA 304, No. 428. 20 January 1918, 4:30 p.m.; altitude 2,500 m; focal length 25 cm.

This late-afternoon picture has dark shadows on the eastern slopes, which nevertheless clarify the relief of the terrain. An irregularly articulated mountain chain, whose highest point is en-Nebi Sa‘in (10ⁱ), at 488 m, forms the background of the city, which climbs from about 344–350 m toward the height out of a valley (4^m–5^l–1^e) that ultimately descends to the Plain of Jezreel.

The oldest part, with its market lanes, lies in the shadowed ravine (5^f–7^d); at its outlet is the Church of the Annunciation (4^g). At the beginning of the valley are Mary's Spring (6^l, upper left) and St. Gabriel's Church (6^l, lower right). On the height are the Salesian orphanage and church (9^gh).

The carriage road in the valley (1^b–6^k) provides the connection toward Haifa and Jerusalem. It formerly continued straight across the height (6^lm), with Tiberias as its ultimate destination, but now climbs the height by a broad southern detour (beginning at 5^l, 4^m) and also provides a connection with Tabor by means of a branch line.

A road toward Seffurie and ‘Akka runs northward over the height (9^k–13^m–17^k); northwestward, a road runs through Ma‘lul toward Haifa (7^c–9^a), with a branch toward ‘Ailut (9, 10^a). The road 5^c–2^a descends to the carriage road.

Compare Orte und Wege³, pp. 61ff. There, fig. 7 also shows another aerial photograph of Nazareth, an oblique view from the east-southeast, not northeast as stated there because of the incorrectly oriented arrow. See also Schumacher, ZDPV 1891, pp. 235ff. (with plan); Range, Nazareth (1923).

51. Tabor and eastern Galilee. View toward the southwest. V. 525.

Afternoon photograph.

As the southern outpost of the Galilean hill country, connected with it only by a low saddle, Tabor, now et-Tur, rises to 562 m on a northeastern extension of the Plain of Jezreel that belongs hydrographically to the Jordan basin. Its domed form is unique in Palestine.

The drainage passes Tabor (1–16ⁱ) and then runs southeast toward Wadi el-Bire. Behind Tabor the terrain descends toward the same drainage basin, but Sahl el-Ahma (7–16^e) can be recognized as a second eastern channel running south. Its highest point, Karn Hattin, at 316 m, should be visible above Tabor but cannot be recognized.

The chain of heights rising behind Tabor's summit and continuing to the left edge of the picture (7–1^e) belongs to the region of Lubiye; above it in the distance are the Upper Galilean mountains near Safed.

Wooded Tabor bears a Franciscan monastery on its summit (9^e). Its church, dating from the Crusader period and now rebuilt, is regarded as the site of the Transfiguration of Jesus (Matthew 17:1ff.), though that event belongs in the Golan; see Orte und Wege, 3rd ed., pp. 203f., 215f.

Barak went from here into battle (Judges 4:12, 14; PJB 1913, pp. 44f.). At the western foot is the village of Deburiye (4, 5^f), the Dabaritta of Josephus. A road from Damascus and Tiberias to the coast at Caesarea passes through the gap here.

The road visible from 4^f to 11ⁱ, however, leads to en-Nain, above which the photograph was taken.

52. Southern end of the Sea of Tiberias. View toward the southwest. V. 974.

Afternoon photograph.

Behind the southern slope of the plain Sahl el-Ahma, which rises westward (1^g-k–6^h-k), appears the southern third of the lake, sunk into Palestine's rift valley at 208 m below sea level. It is open only toward the Jordan Rift, yet dammed by a low rise in the ground through which the Jordan drains on the western side.

Originally there were two converging outlets, between which lay el-Kerak-Beth Jareach (5–7^f); to the east is the Jewish farm Degania (7, 8^f).

The river then winds onward, with el-‘Abediye and its palm grove beside it (11^h). Before that, Wadi Fejjas enters from the west (10^g). It has broken through the mountain ridge at the edge of the rift (7ⁱ, 8^h) and can be followed some distance upstream through Sahl el-Ahma (7–1^k).

On the western shore of the lake is the Jewish colony Kinnereth (4^g), and on the southern shore is Samakh railway station (9^f). Beyond is the Golan plateau, dropping steeply to the lake and broken by the valley of Fik. Before it stands the table mountain of ancient Hippos (3, 4^cd); above it is the village of Fik-Aphek (5^c), with Wadi es-Samak (1, 2^c) running parallel.

To the south the plateau ends at the deep incision of the Yarmuk (15^de), the Jordan's largest tributary. Its course can be followed upstream to the inflow of the Rakkad (9^c) and beyond, as far as 14^b. The tributary Wadi el-Mas‘ud coming from the Golan (6^c–11^d), and especially the Yarmuk's course through the Jordan plain (14^e–16^f), are visible.

Gadara-Umm Qeis lies on the height south of the Yarmuk, beyond the right edge of the picture.

53. Eastern shore of the Sea of Tiberias from the south-southwest. V. 1297.

Midday photograph.

From Samakh on the southern shore of the lake, the view surveys the eastern shore and the slope, rising about 500 m above the lake, to the Golan plateau. Set into this slope is the table mountain of ancient Hippos (11^f). On the shore, though not recognizable, is Kursi (4^f), sometimes identified as Gergesa. Above it is Hermon, completely covered with snow, at 2,759 m (3–5^f), revealing that the photograph was taken in winter. Beside it are the extinct volcanoes of the northern Golan: Tell Abu en-Neda (6^f), at 1,257 m, and, farther right, Tell Abu Yusuf, at 1,029 m. Near the shore at the left edge, but invisible, is ancient Bethsaida-Julias.

Jesus' miraculous feedings belong on this eastern shore of the lake; compare Orte und Wege, 3rd ed., pp. 184ff.

Projections emerging from the depths behind the camel in the center of the picture show that the southern shore is not entirely flat, although it is not rocky. Here too the lake appears as a tightly enclosed basin of Palestine's rift valley, open only southward, distinguished from the Dead Sea by its fresh water, the cultivability of its shorelands, narrow though they are, and its closer relationship to the surrounding fertile plateau.

54. Kinnereth and et-Tabera. View toward the southeast. V. 973.

Morning photograph.

At the northwestern corner of the Sea of Tiberias, a spur of the limestone mountains reaches the lake in the hill Tell el-‘Oreme (7^d–2^h). This forces the shore road coming from Tiberias to go around it on the north (1^c–9^d) and only then descend again toward the northern shore (10^d–17^e).

More important, however, was the road's northeastern continuation toward the medieval Jordan bridge and Damascus, for it formed part of the “Way of the Sea” of Isaiah 8:23 and of the Via Maris that connected Damascus and Cairo in the Arab Middle Ages. Khan el-Minye (2, 3^d), almost entirely removed since this photograph was taken, belonged to this road; Capernaum or Bethsaida has wrongly been sought near it.

Using an ancient canal, a modern artificial road has recently been constructed across the promontory (2^e–3^g–17^l).

Beside it stands the hospice of the German Association of the Holy Land (8^h), with gardens and banana plantations on the shore and an avenue of eucalyptus trees leading to the farm buildings (16, 17^k). On the hilltop is the settlement site el-‘Oreme (5–7^d), ancient Kinnereth (Joshua 19:35).

In the background, the carriage road from Tiberias to Safed climbs with a switchback from the plain of el-Ruwer on the western shore of the lake (1^b–17^c); a connecting road (11^h–17^g) links it to the steamer landing (11ⁱ).

At the southern foot of the hill is the spring basin of ‘En et-Tine (1^f). To the east (12^h–17^gi) is the well-cultivated plain of the springs of ‘En et-Tabera-Heptapegon, which are no longer visible in the picture. The short valley Khallet es-Sammak (12^a–17^e) enters this plain from the northwest.

Capernaum lies only 3 km farther east. An aerial photograph of it exists in private ownership, but unfortunately has not yet been made accessible to the public. Compare PJB 1922/23, pp. 56ff., and Orte und Wege, 3rd ed., pp. 139ff.

55. Tiberias and the ascent to the plateau. View toward the northeast. V. 971.

Midday photograph.

The present and medieval city of et-Tabariye, still entirely walled, has fortifications extending into the lake (4^g, 10^h) and openings in the wall on the south, west, northwest, and north (6^g, 10^g, 11^h), corresponding to its principal approaches.

Along the lake, the road leads south (4–1^f) toward the Jordan Valley and Beisan, and north (11^h–15ⁱ) toward Safed. The steep western road (10^f–13^c) toward the Plain of Jezreel and ‘Akka, and the carriage road bending northward (11–15^g) toward Nazareth, must overcome the escarpment of the rift valley.

At the northwestern corner of the present city is the citadel (12^g); at the western gate is the German inn (10, 11^g); in the north are the buildings of the Scottish Mission (10, 11^gh); beside the lake is the Franciscan monastery (9^h); and outside the gate is the school of the Italian Franciscan sisters (13^h).

Southward along the lake extends the site of ancient Tiberias as far as the mountain spur of Qasr el-Bint (3, 4^d), which bore the fortress of Herod Antipas.

Beyond the edge of the mountain slope appears the opposite rim of Sahl el-Ahma (3–15^a), and from still farther away Jebel ed-Dahi (10, 11^a) and Tabor (13–15^a).

56. Tiberias from above. View toward the north. V. 972.

FA 304, No. 427. 20 January 1918, 3:30 p.m.; altitude 2,000 m; focal length 25 cm.

The surroundings of Tiberias lie in the mountain's shadow; from the city only its flat roofs shine out.

The roads outside the city, the Scottish Mission (9^ik), the Italian school (9^l), and cemeteries (6^c, 7^d) stand out. In addition to the routes named under No. 55, there is the old road to Lubiye (11ⁱ–17^k), now a bridle path, which cuts across the carriage road's northward bend.

Both pictures show that the ancient city, like the present one, blocks the shore road and thus possesses military importance despite its low position, but also how narrow the shoreland is, offering no sustenance for a larger city here.

The ancient city farther south had the advantage that, together with its fortress, it formed an even more complete barrier. At that time, with the shoreland and the northern Jordan Valley more heavily populated, traffic along the shore was undoubtedly much livelier than today.

57. Safed in Upper Galilee. View toward the south-southeast. V. 519.

Morning photograph.

At a considerable elevation of 838 m and visible from afar, only 12 km north of the Sea of Tiberias, the city of Safed-Zephath, surrounded by orchards, lies clustered around its now unfortified castle hill (9, 10^de). This hill is to be regarded as the highest outpost of the rise between Wadi et-Tawahin in the west, or its upper course Wadi ed-Jinn (1^d–9^b), and Wadi ‘En el-Hamra (11^h–9^m) in the east.

The Jewish quarter is in the west (6^e–8^d), and the Muslim quarters are in the foreground (4–13^f). The most important approach from the south passes through Wadi ‘En el-Hamra (9^m–11^g), while the carriage road from Tiberias, making a broad eastern detour, is visible only where it enters from the east (12, 13^e).

Visible are the village of Biria (14, 15^d) and, lower down, ‘En ez-Zetun; farther on, Kaddita (12^a) above the uppermost head of Wadi ed-Jinn; and Tetaba (11^a) beside Wadi el-Amuka (10–17^a), which descends toward Lake Huleh. Safed grew large as the center of a district under Arab rule and through later Jewish immigration.

In earlier history it appears only as a place fortified by Josephus during the revolt against the Romans (Jewish War II.20.6); because of its high position, it may have served for the new-moon fire signals (j. R. h. S. 58a).

Upper Galilee, crossed only in the north by the road from Damascus to Tyre, was a hinterland of Palestine. The location of Safed, which could be made accessible to wheeled traffic from the lowlands only by a long detour, is further evidence of this.

58. Sidon with harbor and gardens. View toward the west-southwest. V. 2.

Afternoon photograph.

Remnants of an older shoreline lie off Palestine's otherwise straight coast, resulting in the formation of natural harbors that also established the importance of ancient Sidon, now Saida.

The picture does not show the broad southern harbor in front of the southern part of the city, but it does show the reef that helped form it, artificially cut through at one point (7^m–1^ik). From this reef, a row of rocks once developed as a mole protects the northern harbor on the north (1ⁱ–3^g). A fortress connected to the mainland by a bridge, Kal‘at el-Bahr (3^e), guards the entrance to the now-silted harbor.

The present city corresponds to the medieval city. At its southeastern corner is the fortress Kal‘at el-Mu‘ezze (15, 16^h); westward is the site of Fakhr ed-Din's palace (8, 9^k); in the north is the great Khan Fransawi (6, 7^g); and within the city is the principal mosque (8^g).

The importance of the present city, however, no longer rests on its harbor, but on its orchards on the narrow coastal plain, irrigated from groundwater wells and used for orange exports. By the marginal hills is the suburb el-Baramiye (12^a).

The road to Beirut follows the shore northward and continues southward along the city's eastern edge. Today it gives no indication that it was Palestine's principal military road in ancient history (PJB 1916, pp. 21ff.); but the commerce of the Phoenician coastal cities was likewise inconceivable without it.

59. Tyre and its isthmus. View toward the east. V. 4.

Morning photograph.

Originally, a remnant of the older coast lay offshore of the present coastline here in the form of two islands. These islands, with their northern bay and a southern harbor protected by reefs, were the site of the ancient “New City” of Tyre, now occupied by Sur.

The formerly larger northern island, now joined to the smaller southern one, extends southward about as far again as the present city. In 332 BC Alexander the Great connected the island with the mainland by a siege causeway, which through the accumulation of sand grew into an isthmus 600 to 2,000 m wide.

The foreground of the picture shows the isthmus with the road to Sidon and Beirut (7^h–l). The present city still has the old northern harbor (11, 12^f), but it is too shallow for larger steamships. At the southern end is the ruin of a Crusader church (1^fg).

60. Akko and its harbor. View toward the northwest. V. 6.

Morning photograph.

At the northern end of the Bay of ‘Akka, on a southward-pointing tongue of land, lies ‘Akka, formerly Ptolemais and originally Akko. The northeastern corner of the bay, protected by the tongue of land, formed a natural harbor.

An artificial harbor was created by moles whose remains are still visible (3^e–8^e), and there was apparently a smaller harbor by the lighthouse (12^e). Walls enclose the two seaward sides, and double ramparts the northern side of the city, in the form given them by the Turks in 1843.

The castle, now a prison (7^f), and Jezzar Pasha's mosque of 1780 (6^f) stand at the northern edge of the city; two large caravanserais (5^f, 8^e) are conspicuous. There are exits toward the east (4^f) and north (5^f, 8^e), the latter probably dating from very recent times.

The surf on the beach along the western side reveals a west wind; it is calmer on the bay, with its fringe of dunes (1^c–6^a) and the road to Haifa.

61. Akko and its surroundings from above. View toward the south. V. 5.

FA 304, No. 423. 20 January 1918, 2:30 p.m.; altitude 1,600 m; focal length 25 cm.

The flat sandy shore of the bay; the high seacoast beach extending northward, likewise covered with dunes, with the large pool of water within the dunes (10^e), which reveals that the picture was taken in the rainy season; the well-cultivated plain with the large orange groves of el-Bahje (13–15^d); and the palm grove near the shore (16^g, 17^h) are the characteristic features of the surroundings of ‘Akka.

Jezzar Pasha's aqueduct reaches the city (16^c–11^g) through the pool of el-Bahje (15^d). From Haifa, the road and railway line come along the shore (17ⁱ–11^h); the former continues northeastward (12^g–14^e), turns north from el-Bahje (14^e–12^b), and passes es-Semiriye (11^a) and its gardens.

The northeastern route passes el-Bahje toward el-Kabri and the northern Galilean hill country (14^e–16^b). A more easterly road leads to Kefr Yasif (13^g–17^f), leaving the village of el-Manshiye (17^e) to one side; and the actual eastern road, branching from the shore, leads toward southern Galilee (Safed, Saffuriye) (15^h–17^g).

In this way the land connections important to the harbor city's significance can be surveyed.

62. Akko and its surroundings from the east. V. 1346.

Morning photograph.

The picture includes only the southern part of No. 61. The farmsteads here at 17^g are the northern farmsteads by the shore in that picture (9^f), while the palm gardens here at 1^h–10^gh correspond to the gardens there at 14^g–17^h.

The eastern road runs here from 5^g to 1^h, the road to Kefr Yasif from 11^h to 17ⁱ, and the actual northeastern or northern road from 10^g to 17^h. The hill in the foreground (1ⁱ–7^h) is Tell el-Fukhkhar (29 m) on the English map. The Belus River, now Nahr Na‘men, is not visible because it lies farther south.

Sidon, Tyre, and Akko, however important they are for the coast of Palestine, represent not Israelite but Phoenician culture; and the description of the market of Tyre in Ezekiel 27 proves that the culture of the contemporary world had entrepôts here, compared with which Palestine's Israelite hill country, with its olives and vines, was an impoverished hinterland.

Yet this contrast meant conflict, for which Carmel, projecting from the hill country into Phoenician territory, was a historical arena (1 Kings 18). Without this conflict, the history of Israel would have disappeared without world significance into the history of the ancient Near East; and when its fruit had ripened for sowing in the world, it was these harbors that served for its export (Acts 21:3, 7; 27:3).

Yet it should also be remembered that, alongside the contrast, fertilization by world culture was indispensable. That Solomon's Temple did not arise without Tyre may stand as an outward sign of this.

63. Haifa and its bay from Carmel in the west. V. 1347.

Photograph probably taken in the afternoon.

At front right is Carmel near the Carmelite monastery, with the road leading there from Haifa (12, 13^f, 15^g). On the sea bay that cuts southward into the land, unique on the Palestinian coast, lies the city of Haifa-Hefa (4–13^f) with its landing pier (8^f); in the foreground is the German Colony.

There is no true harbor, but the promontory of Carmel protects the roadstead from west winds. Beyond the bay are a sandy beach (1–5^e) and palm woodland (8–11^e).

Above them are the alluvial soil and marginal hills of the coastal plain; rising beyond these are Hermon (2^e), the Jebel Heder range (6–10^e), and Jebel Tur‘an (12^e). The Kishon gleams brightly (11^e).

The roads on this side of the city (1^g and 5^f–1^h) are the beginning of the coastal road leading around the promontory. The railway running along the beach cannot be made out.

64. Eastern Haifa with railway station. View toward the north-northeast. V. 10.

FA 304, No. 426. 20 January 1918, 3:10 p.m.; altitude 1,900 m; focal length 25 cm.

Waves and surf on the sandy beach reveal a north wind (the arrow is wrong), while the shadows indicate the northeast direction.

Of the city of Haifa, only the eastern end with its suburb is visible; beside it is the railway station (11–13^g), with the beginnings of the Haifa–Damascus (12^g–1^a) and Haifa–el-Kantara (Suez Canal) (12^g–15^m) railway lines.

The carriage road (11^d–1^a), with a connection from the station (12^g–6^b), has Nazareth as its next destination. The connection to the beach (8^e–7^k) serves traffic toward ‘Akka, but also toward the boats' landing place (8–10ⁱ).

The palm gardens on the left belong to the Kishon's alluvium; its outlet is no longer visible. Above the city is Carmel's rocky slope.

The sea bay and railway today make Haifa, still insignificant in the Middle Ages, Palestine's principal harbor. Sidon, Tyre, and Akko have declined into harbors serving merely coastal traffic.

65. Caesarea and the dunes. Lower edge toward the northeast. V. 13.

Midday photograph.

A break in the Mediterranean coast's dune belt, formed by a depression extending inland and again enclosed by dunes, is the site of Caesarea, built by Herod I in 13 BC as a Roman city intended above all as a maritime city and meant to outstrip Tyre in rank. An artificial harbor was created by constructing a dam that left an opening on the north side. Reefs extending into the sea favored the harbor works. A theater and an amphitheater, which would probably be better described as a hippodrome (Orte und Wege, vol. 3, p. 293), together with a temple of the emperor on elevated ground, were the city's monumental buildings (Josephus, Antiquities XV.9.6).

Present-day Kesariye, settled by Bosnians (6^g–9^h), is the walled medieval city, with the ruins of a church (6^g) and a harbor whose southern mole bears a castle (8^g, 9^f). In front of the northern mole is a second dam formed from columns (9^g, recognizable as a narrow line). The harbor of the Herodian city may have lain farther south, from 8–5^f. A theater can be recognized at the southern end of the city (3^f), into whose enclosure drifting sand has penetrated, and a hippodrome near the western wall (1^ik, 2^k).

These remains can be reconciled with Josephus's account if the passage cited above is construed as follows: “He built a theater on the south side of the harbor, so situated that one could conveniently overlook the sea, and farther back an amphitheater capable of holding many people.” Remains of the enclosure wall may be visible at 1^g in the drifting sand and at the northern end of the ancient city (12^kl, diagonally).

A road leading east (8^g–2^l) connects the harbor with the north–south road of the coastal region; the road to Haifa runs along the shore (10^h, 11ⁱ). The ancient aqueduct follows the line of the road from 9^h–11ⁱ.

Caesarea was Palestine's most important harbor in Roman times. It has now fallen into ruin together with its artificially constructed harbor. Given the limited importance of the coastal road in this region (see no. 66), it is all the less likely to revive, since it lacks the favorable location of Haifa and Jaffa.

66. Mediterranean coast south of Caesarea. Lower edge toward the west. V. 17.

Flight 304, no. 282. 10 January 1918, 2:30 p.m. Altitude 3,700 m; focal length 21 cm.

The picture was labeled Nahr el-Falik, but it lacks that stream's characteristic rocky ridge, divided by a canal within the dune belt. Instead, it corresponds to the stream of Wadi el-Hawarit, which flows into the sea 10 km south of Caesarea and drains all of central Samaria. For its otherwise unknown name there, Nahr Iskanderune, see ZDPV 1914, pp. 340f.

It is a good example of the drainage channels characteristic of Palestine's coastal region, carrying away groundwater impounded behind the dune belt. A permanent watercourse begins here near Tell Mudd ed-Der (13^a) within a marshland extending far to the north and south (2^b–17^bc), adjoined by cultivated land on the south toward the sea (9, 10^b–17^ef) and on the north toward the interior (6^a–1^a).

Dunes block the straight beach and are cut through obliquely by the river (5^f–2^h); their steep slope faces the surf-fringed coast (7–17ⁱ). A road coming from Kesariye, mostly following the beach, climbs the dunes (6–12^h) and passes east of the double pond Birket en-Nejjar (16, 17^g), with the village of Mukhalid as its next destination. Another road branches southeastward (11^g, 13^f) in the direction of Burj el-‘Atut and Kalansawe in the coastal plain.

It is noteworthy that the passable dune road along the beach had no significant historical importance throughout the region from Caesarea to Gaza. Only from Saladin's time is a Crusader military expedition known to have passed this way (PJB 1916, p. 27). This may be connected with the fact that no important towns could develop in or beside the unhealthy marshland created by the dunes.

Trading caravans and military expeditions therefore preferred the route running 13 km inland at the foot of the hill country. Here it was Palestine's coastal road; see PJB 1916, pp. 22ff. The arrow points too far west.

67. Jaffa with suburbs. Aerial oblique. Northeast. Reichsarchiv.

Flight 300, no. 1375. 19 March 1917, 9:30 a.m. Altitude 200 m.

A row of rocks forms a small natural harbor open to the north (10^e–13^f), which, together with the hill lying beside it, gave rise to the city of Joppa, now Jaffa, whose oldest part corresponds to this hill (6^e–10^f). Modern seagoing ships must of course anchor in the roadstead; boats passing through the rocks handle traffic from the land to them.

The Franciscan monastery and church (9^e) stand on the seaward side, and a mosque in the north (8^g). The southern suburb (1–4^d) is less important than the northern suburb (10^g–17^k), with the station (14, 15^kl) and the German Colony (7–9^kl) with its church (8^k).

The carriage road to Jerusalem (6–1^g) is linked with the station by the new Jemal Pasha road (1^g–9ⁱ). The northeast road toward Haifa, or Nablus, begins at 9^g–11^m; the eastern road, with two branches (6ⁱ–1^km), goes to Selme; the southern road to Gaza begins at 1, 2^e. Orange groves with a few palms surround the city on the landward side.

68. Jaffa and its wider surroundings. Aerial oblique. West. V. 84.

Flight 304, no. 283. 10 January 1918, 2:30 p.m. Altitude 3,700 m; focal length 21 cm.

The beach with its surf, the rocks off old Jaffa (9, 10^e), the roadstead with ships (8, 9^f) outside the harbor, and the suburbs of new Jaffa, extending far to the south and north, among them Jewish Tel Aviv (6^de), are the first features that catch the eye. Even the dune land has been occupied by settlements on both sides.

The area lying behind belongs to Wadi Misrara, which bends northward near Jaffa in order to flow into the ‘Oja River; see its course (8^a, 7^c, 1^d). We were already in its basin at er-Ramle (44), Bet Nebala (43), Jalo (40), el-Atrun (39), and Bab el-Wad (38). Beside it lies the German colony Sarona (2^d); on the edge of hill country adjoining to the north, up to 84 m high, are Selme (6^b) and Nebrak-Ibn Ebrak (7^a), once Bene Berak (Josh. 19:44).

Near the dunes in the south are the Jewish agricultural school Mikveh Israel (11^b) and the village of Yazur (10^a). Within Jaffa's garden land are the Russian church (9^c) by the Tabitha cemetery and the German Colony (8^e).

From its station (7^e), the railway line to Jerusalem makes a northward curve (5^d) before taking the direction toward Jerusalem (5^d–10^a), while the carriage road runs directly (9^e–11^a). The road to Gaza runs along inside the dunes (11^d–13^a), and the road to Haifa passes Sarona (5–1^d).

The gap in Palestine's dune belt, whose cause I do not know, made the development of the city of Jaffa possible. Its connections inland, for which the Beth-Horon road (no. 22) once had importance, since the Arab period the line of the carriage road through Wadi ‘Ali (nos. 38, 39, 40), and now the railway in Wadi es-Sarar (no. 41), belong to this as well, as does the nearness of the provincial capital Jerusalem.

The picture covers about 6 km along the coast and, inland from the beach, 8 km. The arrow points north-northwest.

69. Herodian Jericho and the Jerusalem road. Aerial oblique. Southwest. V. 1041.

Flight 304, no. 2049. 22 June 1918, 5:45 a.m. Altitude 4,500 m; focal length 50 cm.

The picture coincides with the lower part of no. 20 and repeats the course of Wadi el-Kelt from 12^d–7^k on that picture, but because of the strong shadows of the early light it renders the individual features much more three-dimensionally, above all the deep gorge of Wadi el-Kelt (1^l–12^a) as far as its emergence from the desert hill country into the Jordan plain, which likewise would be desert without artificial irrigation.

The aqueduct of Wadi el-Kelt therefore finally leaves the gorge (8^c–17^a). Remains of old irrigation works are the ruined pools (6^h, 14, 15^cd and 7^b, 8^a).

The carriage road to Jericho with its bends (3^m–15^a), the route of Wadi Medbah ‘Aiyad to the Hajla ford (10^m–17^c), the path on the north side of Wadi el-Kelt (2^k–6^d), and the meridional road on the western edge of the plain (17^h–12^a) show the nearness of important traffic passages.

Antique remains are represented by Khirbet Kakun (15^h), Tell Abu el-‘Alaik (11^c), Tell es-Stuh (7^b), and Bet Jabr et-Tahtani (6^h), which contain ruins of Herodian buildings in Jericho but also prove that Herodian Jericho was more a large district than a closed city.

70. Present-day Jericho with irrigated land. Aerial oblique. North. V. 1029.

Flight 304, no. 724. 27 March 1918, 3:30 p.m. Altitude 3,000 m; focal length 25 cm.

On picture 69, Wadi el-Kelt reaches as far as the first bend here (15^c), and on no. 20 as far as the second bend (13^b). The mostly waterless valley, which can be followed beyond present-day Jericho-er-Riha (5, 6^c), a place that was never walled, as far as 2^a, receives from the north two side branches, of which the more easterly is connected with Sidd Tesun (10^c–16^m).

The terrain east of it (10^g–12^l–14^k), now Ard el-Merajim, may be proposed for the Plain of Achor (Josh. 7:26; PJB 1913, p. 18). The most important feature in the picture is the sharply delimited irrigation area of Jericho, darker because of its cultivation with grain or fruit trees: Fersh er-Riha.

The canal from Wadi el-Kelt (see no. 69) irrigates the western part south of this valley (15^b–9^ab). Elisha's Spring, ‘En es-Sultan (see no. 71), sends part of its water by an aqueduct (9^bc) to the eastern area beyond the valley (8^ab–3^a) and, on this side, irrigates everything lying east of the line of the canal to the aqueduct (10^c–11^m). From the farther northward ‘En Duk (cf. no. 78), water once came to the western terrain on this side of the valley (16^m–15^k-g to 11^d).

The carriage road from Jerusalem (16–9^b), after the Nebi Musa road (no. 19) has joined it (10^b), crosses the valley (8^c) and continues beyond Jericho: 1. to the Dead Sea (4^b–3^a), 2. to the Hajla ford, the baptismal site of the Jordan (4^c–1^a), 3. to the Jordan bridge (4^c–1^d), 4. northward to the meridional road of the western Jordan Valley (4^e–1^m), and 5. to Elisha's Spring and ancient Jericho (5^d–12^m), with connection to the meridional road.

To Herodian Jericho belongs the narrow rectangle closed by two curves (15^ik), which can only be understood as the hippodrome of Herod.

71. Ancient Jericho and Elisha's Spring. Aerial oblique. South-southeast. V. 1031a.

Flight 304, no. 1701. 4 June 1918, 6:45 a.m. Altitude 5,000 m; focal length 50 cm.

A morning picture with bright light on Tell es-Sultan (12^g–14^e), 214 m below sea level, the fortified ancient Jericho of the Israelite and pre-Israelite periods uncovered by the excavations of Sellin and Watzinger; the furrowing of the hill is a result of the excavation. Beside it is Elisha's Spring, ‘En es-Sultan, with a new elongated spring basin (13^g, right).

The road to New Jericho (13^h–14^m) bounds the irrigated area; the bend at 13^hi is the same as the bend at 12^m on no. 70, and its continuation toward the meridional road is 13^g–17^d. West of it are Tell es-Samarat (8^l), the northern head of the hippodrome (cf. no. 70), and the outlet of the Sidd Tesun gorge (2^a), which plunges vertically beside the monastery of Jebel Kuruntul (3^a) and then connects with a gorge (4^b, 5^a–10^m) draining to Wadi el-Kelt.

The area west of ancient Jericho is bounded on the north by the narrow ridge Dahret et-Teniye (8^d–10^a). Along it a canal coming from ‘En Duk runs northward (8^d–11^a); below it are former sugar mills (9^d). A second branch (8^d–7^h), now probably out of use, continues the direction of the main canal (5^a–8^d).

This main canal may have been the conduit built by Archelaus, by which he deprived the city Neara of half its water in connection with the expansion of the royal residence at Jericho. This fits the fact that this conduit benefited the ground below the mountain descent, too high for Jericho's spring, where the Herodian buildings in Jericho lay. The founding of Archelais reported by Josephus, Ant. XVII 13, 1, in connection with this therefore has nothing to do with the aqueduct (erroneously PJB 1913, p. 74; 1914, p. 16). Roads going northward signify Jericho's connection first with Wadi en-Nue‘me, whose owner was once Neara.

72. The Mount of Temptation and its eastern surroundings. Aerial oblique. Southeast. V. 1033.

Flight 304, no. 2052. 22 June 1918, 5:45 a.m. Altitude 4,500 m; focal length 50 cm.

What was in the upper left corner of no. 71 appears here, shifted more nearly upright, at the top in the middle. The drop (there 3^a) of Sidd Tesun appears here with the monastery at 6^c; Jebel Kuruntul, the traditional mountain of the temptation of Jesus and probably once the fortress Dok (see Orte und Wege³, p. 106), visible there only with its lower half (4^a), also stands out with its walled summit, about 310 m above the plain (7^a).

The foot of the mountain is encircled by the conduit from ‘En Duk (12^a–8^d), which then continues toward Dahret et-Teniye (8^e-h) and accompanies its southern slope (8^h–17ⁱ). The sugar mills are at 8^hi; ancient Jericho at 10–12^m.

A distinct irrigation area is the slope below Jebel Kuruntul toward Wadi en-Nue‘me (15^a–17^d), which runs to the Jordan independently of Wadi el-Kelt (see nos. 78, 79). Pictures 70–72 show ancient and modern Jericho in its relation to the mountains and the springs of its surroundings. Full judgment of its position is provided only by the overview in picture 79.

73. The Dead Sea and the Judean Desert. Aerial oblique. Northwest. V. 1060.

Flight 304. Afternoon photograph.

The lake that fills a basin of Palestine's meridional rift down to 390 m below sea level,* now called Bahr Lut, "Lot's Sea," is enclosed on the east and west by 600–1,000 m high escarpments of the hill country on both sides. The escarpment on this side disappears from the picture because it was taken from the west; the one on the far side is concealed by haze.

Visible below the hill country are only the low shore projections connected with the recession of the lake in an older geological epoch, which are usually called the Lisan terrace after the peninsula el-Lisan, "the Tongue" (8–11^c), visible in the southeast.

Opposite the peninsula appears the foreland of the region of Sebbe-Masada (12–14^c), farther north the region of ‘En Jidi-Engedi (12^d), then the widely projecting point, sharpened only by the cross view, of Wadi Hasasa and Wadi ed-Deraj (9–11^ef), and finally the narrower foreland of Wadi el-Ruweir with small marginal pools.

In the background the marl-covered rock-salt deposit of Jebel Sudum is faintly recognizable, and behind it the southern end of the lake (12, 13^b), which was probably the site of Sodom. The projections in the east (1^e) belong to the mouth of the Mujib-Arnon, while in the foreground on this side Wadi en-Nar, coming from Jerusalem, seems to descend and finally disappears in a gorge (2^k).

The main valley comes from the west (17^l); the southern side valley (17^h–13^l) is probably Wadi Jerfan, 6 km from the shore of the Dead Sea. Invisible to the north remain 14 km of the western shore and 35 km of the eastern shore, about one third of the whole lake of 75 km length.

* See H. Schroetter, Das Tote Meer (1924), pp. 12f.

74. Central western shore of the Dead Sea. Aerial oblique. South. V. 1062.

Afternoon photograph.

The western descent to the Dead Sea, dissected by water runoff, is surveyed here from the south, with corresponding shortening of the south-north dimensions. The picture begins in front with the region immediately north of ‘En Jidi; there follows the alluvium coming from Wadi Sder (8–10^ik), the promontory Ras Mersid (12^d) below probably the highest summit of this region (4, 5^a), Ras esh-Shakf, 317 m, that is, 707 m above the lake, and finally the foreland of Wadi Hasasa and Wadi ed-Deraj (12–14^h), behind which the original image still showed the foreland of Wadi el-Ruweir (14–16^a).

The approximately 17 km of the west coast surveyed here show how hostile the Dead Sea was to cultivation because of its steep coasts, and how it had to act as a separating boundary between the eastern land and the western land. A culture of its own could not develop on its shores. Therefore it was "dead," not because of the salt brine of its water.

75. Southern western shore of the Dead Sea. Aerial oblique. North-northeast. V. 1061.

Morning photograph.

This picture, labeled "Sea of Galilee," was easily recognized as belonging to the Dead Sea and could be precisely located by means of a photograph of the western shore taken by Dr. Schwöbel from Machaerus.

The unmistakable form of the mountain of Sebbe-Masada (9, 10^h) was the key. One therefore looks southward from the region of ‘En Jidi and surveys the southern Judean Desert as far as the boundary of Palestine.

In the south the picture extends along the lake for 27 km as far as the beginning of Jebel Sudum (1^e). From there follow the outlet of Wadi ez-Zuwera (4^ef), Wadi Umm Barrek (5^f), Wadi Umm el-Bedun (6^g, 7^f), Wadi el-Kidre (6^h), and, on this side of Sebbe, Wadi Seiyal (12ⁱ, 13^h), Wadi Sufesif (14, 15ⁱ), and Wadi el-Khashebe (16^k), 10 km south of ‘En Jidi.

The barren foreland of the hill country is as distinctive as the hill country itself, which is essentially level though completely torn apart by runoff. The background of the picture should be sought on the left in the direction of Kurnub, and on the right in the region of Tell el-Milh.

All visible land is uninhabitable. That Wadi ez-Zuwera and Wadi Umm Barrek have their springs does not alter the character of the rain-poor limestone country.

76. Southern cape of the Dead Sea peninsula. Aerial oblique. Northeast.

FA 305, No. 533. 12 May 1918, 6:30 a.m.; altitude 400 m; focal length 21 cm.

The southern point of the Dead Sea peninsula is customarily called Cape Molyneux. It projects into the lake with a fairly straight, 14 km-long broad side facing northwest; its northern tongue, 5 km long in all, forms a narrow bay with the eastern shore of the lake, while its southern tongue points across toward the western shore.

On that western shore the region of Jebel Sudum (12–17^a) is visible as a dark shadow in the south. The eastern shore was also recognizable along the entire upper edge of the source image. The picture therefore gives a view of the shallow part of the lake, where Irby and Mangles in 1818 still saw the peninsula enclosed by a dry beach more than 1 1/2 km wide.

Here one must imagine the Plain of Siddim of Genesis 14:3, in which the cities Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Zoar lay.

The streams coming from the east, Seil ‘Esal, en-Numera, el-Kerahi, el-Fefe, and Khnezire, must once have united there into a river flowing toward the northern basin of the Dead Sea. The territories of the five cities will have corresponded to the irrigated areas of the five streams (PJB 1908, pp. 84f.).

The American expedition of 1924 also reached no different result (Albright, Bulletin 14, p. 8).

The peninsula, rising only 43 to 53 m above the lake surface, is covered by a level gypsum layer that toward the foreground preserves the remnant of an older, higher position; see Blanckenhorn, Naturwissenschaftliche Studien am Toten Meer und im Jordantal, pp. 165f. The apparent tower (1^k) at the left edge is a depression.

77. Mouth of the Jordan into the Dead Sea. Aerial oblique. Northwest. V. 1063.

FA 304, No. 208. 3 January 1918, 2:15 p.m.; altitude 3,000 m; focal length 21 cm.

The terrain around the mouth of the Jordan presents a khanging picture, especially influenced by the water level of the Dead Sea. The annual low and high levels caused by winter rain, differing by 30–90 cm; see Masterman, PEFQ 1913, pp. 192ff.; and the lake's steady rise observed over the past century, 3 m from 1892 to 1917, produce major changes on the flat northern shore, to which the river's alluvium also contributes.

A photograph from early January may be regarded as fairly normal because winter rain can hardly have exerted much influence by then. An aerial photograph of 4 September 1918, a drawing of 21 April 1913, and my visit on 19 November 1921 show major differences; see PJB 1924, pp. 73ff.

Clearly visible here is the sharply bounded course of the river (1^k–8^f), whose muddy water also colors the lake where it enters. Alluvial tongues accompany the mouth on both sides (PJB 1924, fig. 3), together with lagoons connected with the lake; see the connection points at 7^f and 9^g.

Along the lake shore a third lagoon extends (10^h–14^m), joining the one on this side of the mouth (9^h). That the river, from which a narrow channel drains through the eastern alluvial tongue (7, 8^f), is independent of the lagoons used for salt extraction seems beyond doubt, although I cannot explain the firmness of its bank walls, which are covered with reeds and trees of Suaeda monoica and tamarisks.

The higher, pale-colored terrain on this side and the terrain beyond, appearing so dark only in this picture because of its marshy character and also weaker illumination, belong to the Lisan floor of the Jordan plain. I do not venture to decide whether Wadi el-‘Ademe, coming from Nebo, has its mouth near 8^a.

78. The baptism site on the Jordan: Hajla ford. Aerial oblique. South. V. 1069.

FA 304, No. 689. 22 March 1918, 2:15 p.m.; altitude 3,000 m; focal length 25 cm.

No more than 3 km upstream from the mouth, the Jordan runs in long curves. A photograph of 27 March 1918 shows only slightly farther than No. 77 and apparently already there lets the river pass into the form that is then the most common one: short, irregular loops going back and forth within the depression cut about 60 m into the Jordan Valley.

Occasional sections of a second watercourse beside it (6^e–9ⁱ) are parts of an older riverbed, probably blocked by the collapse of a high marl wall at the edge of the depression, forcing the river to tear out a new bed. Because trees and bushes make it appear dark, the Jordan depression is called ez-Zor, “the thicket”; the transitional zone from the plains on both sides to the depression, torn apart by runoff from the wider Jordan Valley, is called el-Ketar, “the humps.”

Here Wadi el-Kelt enters from the west (1–8^l) with a northern tributary (1ⁱ–3^l), and the short Wadi el-Kharrar from the east (10^ab) with a small stream. The Monastery of St. John, Kasr el-Yehud (3^e), midway down the plain at 334 m below sea level, sends a road in the direction of the latter (3^e–6^d, 10^b–12^a), where an ancient tradition seems to locate the Bethabara, or Bethany, of John's baptism.

A second road leads to the mouth of Wadi el-Kelt (4^f–8ⁱ), where Jesus' baptism by John now has its traditional location on the Jordan (11^l). This is connected with the ford of Hajla, now unusable, which crossed the river east of it, near 12^l. The present main road from Jericho here descends into the Jordan depression south of Wadi el-Kelt (7–10^l); a direct road leads to the monastery (1–3^e). An aqueduct from the Kelt stream marks the dark line (7^l–6ⁱ).

Compare Orte und Wege³, pp. 88ff., and fig. 9, an aerial photograph of the baptism site from closer range.

79. Jordan Valley near Jericho. Aerial oblique. View toward the west-southwest. V. 1071.

Morning photograph.

About 15 km of the Jordan's course are surveyed, from above the entry of Wadi el-Mellaha (2^f) in the north to Wadi el-Luman (15, 16ⁱ) and the ford el-Henu in the south. One observes the river depression, dark from its green vegetation, though the actual course does not appear.

From the east, the entries of Wadi Nimrin (8, 7^fg), Wadi el-Kharrar (13^g), and Wadi Kefrein (16^g, 17^h) reach almost to the mouth. From the west, besides Wadi el-Mellaha with Wadi el-‘Oja (1^f), come Wadi Mesjadet ‘Isa (5^g) with numerous upper branches, Wadi en-Nue‘me (1ⁱ–7^g), Wadi el-Kelt (4^m–14^h), and Wadi el-Luman (14^k–16ⁱ).

No settlement is visible except New Jericho (5^l), with the dark irrigated areas of ‘Ain es-Sultan (1–6^l) and of ‘Ain ed-Duk and Wadi en-Nue‘me (1^k–4ⁱ). Ancient Jericho (1^l) cannot be recognized.

The roads to the Jordan bridge (6^k–7^g), to the Monastery of St. John (6^k–13^h), to the baptism site (6^k–12ⁱ, 14^h) past ‘Ain Hajla (14ⁱ), and to the Dead Sea (7–13^k) leave Qasr Hajla (14^k) to the east. From Nebi Musa come the obliquely running roads to the Jordan bridge (13^m, 15^m–10ⁱ–8^h).

The Gilgal tamarisks of en-Netele are to be sought at 10ⁱ, and ‘Ain el-Rarabe at 11ⁱ, on the northern bank of Wadi el-Kelt.

The cloud-covered plateau in the east shows Nebi Osha‘, 1,096 m, as the highest point in the north (2^c), with ‘Ajlun behind it. Wadi Shu‘eib (4^d–8^e) coming from es-Salt, then Wadi Kefrein (12–14^e) with a sharp corner where it enters the Jordan plain (14, 13^f), and Wadi Hesban coming from the right and then bending (14^f) to join Wadi Kefrein, divide the Moabite eastern land, now el-Belka.

The cloud-shadowed depression (13^d) belongs to Wadi Na‘ur, a tributary of Wadi Kefrein. The road to Amman and es-Salt (8^f) and the road to Madaba (12–15^f) climbing Tell el-Metaba‘, Mount Peor, are the most important roads here.

80. Jordan Valley north of Jericho: Wadi Abu ‘Obeda. Aerial oblique. East-northeast. V. 991.

FA 304, No. 2287. 14 July 1918, 5:30 a.m.; altitude 1,500 m; focal length 25 cm.

The picture must be viewed from its upper edge if the valley furrows in the plain are to appear as depressions, but it has not been placed accordingly here so that the relation of near and far remains normal. In the hilly landscape lying before the mountain escarpment between ancient Jericho and Wadi el-‘Oja, the streamless Wadi Abu ‘Obeda (13^a–8^m) arises a little south of Wadi el-‘Oja, visible at lower right (17^k–15^m), into which it flows.

Beyond the level area are Wadi Mesjadet ‘Isa (4^cd–1^d) and Wadi en-Nue‘me (4^b–1^c), which can be followed upward to the region of ‘Ain ed-Duk (11^a). There, above the irrigated land, one also sees the conduit running along the foot of Jebel Kuruntul (9–4^a) and bending forward at illuminated Dahret et-Teniye (5^a). The picture still reaches ancient Jericho (3^a) with its irrigated land and Wadi el-Kelt (1^a).

The straightest road north follows the foot of the hill country (3^b–5^d–9^e); the main road in this direction lies farther east (2^c-e–16^h), with roads branching from it (3^f–5^m, 4^f–7^l) toward the Jordan ford el-Mendesse.

Here one understands the ancient hostility between Neara and Jericho reported by the rabbis (Vaj. R. 23); it concerned the water Archelaus took from the people of Neara; see no. 71.

But the book of Joshua also reports peculiar things about this region. Ephraim's southern boundary included Neara, touched Jericho, and ran to the Jordan (Josh. 16:7); from Dahret et-Teniye it must therefore have separated the cities' irrigated areas. Jericho was Benjaminite (Josh. 18:21), likewise with territory extending to the Jordan, but Judah possessed the northern shore of the Dead Sea as far as Benjaminite Beth Hoglah (Josh. 15:6) near ‘Ain Hajla.

For Beth-Haarabah, which according to Josh. 15:6 and 18:18 lay south of the Judahite boundary, yet is called Benjaminite in 18:22, Alt, PJB 1925, proposed the ruin mound of ‘Ain el-Rarabe mentioned above, without clarifying the boundary's course.

81. The Jordan at the Jericho bridge: Roraniye ford. Aerial oblique. View toward the east. V. 1073.

FA 304, No. 951. 21 April 1918, 8:00 a.m.; altitude 4,000 m; focal length 25 cm.

Deviating eastward and then bending back westward, the river runs northward in its depression, which is covered with tamarisks and Euphrates poplars. The apparently bridged ford (9^f) and the site of the wooden bridge of that time (10^f) determine the course of the roads crossing the river here.

The road comes from Jericho (7^a–8^e), crossing Wadi en-Nue‘me (9^a–7^e). On the eastern side, the road to es-Salt runs eastward (10^f–16^m), parallel to Wadi Nimrin (14^g–17^m), while the road to Madaba runs southeastward (10^g–8^m).

On both sides of the Jordan depression lies the furrowed drainage zone of the Ghor lowland.

82. The Jordan and Wadi el-Mellaha. Aerial oblique. View toward the east-northeast. V. 1082.

FA 304, No. 1652. 2 June 1918, 6:00 a.m.; altitude 600 m; focal length 21 cm.

About 11 km north of the Jericho bridge, this picture begins with the course of the Jordan and follows it for 3⅓ km. Within the depression, the winding river, with an older side channel, soon strikes the western and then the eastern steep bank.

The ford Umm esh-Shert (4^f) accounts for a road crossing the Jordan here (10^d–1^f). A north–south road runs between the Jordan and the parallel Wadi el-Mellaha (17^d–2^b) and sends a connection toward Khirbet el-‘Oja et-Tahta (2^ba).

The side valley entering the Jordan from the east (1^l–5^f), unnamed on any map, lies between Wadi el-Abjad and Wadi Ishkerara.

83. The Jordan south of Adamah. Aerial oblique. View toward the southeast. V. 1086.

FA 304, No. 237. 1 January 1918, 10:00 a.m.; altitude 3,700 m; focal length 21 cm.

This picture begins about 7½ km farther north than the right edge of No. 82 and encompasses 5 km of the Jordan's course as far as the ford of ed-Damiye-Adamah (14^a), through which the road from Nablus to es-Salt crosses (12^a–16^b).

An important road to Jericho also runs southeast from here (11^a–7^b–3^c). It crosses Wadi ed-Jozele (8^a–1^g), the lower course of Wadi el-Far‘a, which comes from the land of Samaria but, because of its gradient, turns southward in the Jordan Valley and here runs parallel to the Jordan for 9 km before flowing into it. The picture ends about 2 km north of the mouth.

The road running southward between the two valleys (10^a–1^g) belongs to a route running directly along the Jordan, but one inconvenient for major traffic.

84. The Jordan and the Jabbok (Nahr ez-Zerka). Aerial oblique. View toward the west.

Reichsarchiv No. 1174. Probably Flight Detachment 302; afternoon photograph.

This picture was published in a periodical as “Jordan Valley with Judean Desert.” It actually shows the Jordan at the boundary of Samaria and the hill country lying opposite to the east. The course of the Jordan shown begins almost 9 km north of ed-Damiye and extends for 7 km.

The noteworthy points in the south are the fords of Umm Sidr and Abu Sidr (16, 17^g), with a road connecting the Samaritan el-Buke‘a with the Jabbok Valley, and Tell Abu Sidr (15^g), which once guarded these fords. In the north, the valley by ‘Arak Abu el-Hashish, east of Khirbet Mofia, appears to be the last one on this side (7^m–2ⁱ).

A distinctive feature of the Jordan Valley in this region is that the western hill country is separated from the drainage zone toward the Jordan only by a narrow terrace along which the north–south road runs (14–2ⁱ). Only in the east is there also a plain about 4 km wide before the hill country of el-Me‘rad and el-Belka rises.

The boundary between these two regions is formed by Nahr ez-Zerka, formerly the Jabbok. Its valley, with the settlement site Tulul ed-Dahab-Mahanaim, breaks through the hill country here (8^a, 9^b) and then continues as a shallow channel across the plain (10^b–17^d). Near the Jabbok's emergence from the hill country lie Tell Deir ‘Alla-Succoth (10^c) and Tell esh-Sha‘be (11^c), perhaps Penuel; compare PJB 1913, p. 72f.

Here the road running through the hill country north of the Jabbok and continuing toward the Umm Sidr ford (see above) crosses the north–south road of the eastern Jordan Valley, which runs along the foot of the hill country (3–11^c–17^d).

A shortcut passes the rock tunnel el-Makhruk (7^c) toward the Jabbok's outlet (7^c–8^b). Beside the north–south road are the Muslim pilgrimage site Abu ‘Obeda (5^c) and then ‘Ammata (2^c) by Wadi Rajib (1^b–6^g), which comes from the hill country and separates the region of el-Me‘rad from Jebel ‘Ajlun.

Near the mouth is a peculiar hill (5^f) unknown to any map.

85. Jordan Valley and the ‘Ajlun Mountains. Aerial oblique. View toward the southeast. V. 1072.