Air Mosaic of Petra

This remarkable aerial photomosaic of the ruins of Petra was captured by the RAF Palestine Command shortly after WW1. It is one of the earliest uses of aerial photography in archaeology and a landmark survey of Petra.



These photographs were used by Sir Alexander Kennedy, one of the first European archaeologists to document the Petra ruins, as part of his archaeological study and were commended by him for their accuracy and quality. On close examination the grid of Roman roads can be made out and the outlines of the ruins of the Grand Temple and surrounding buildings are clear to see. There is a list of important buildings with their grid references in the lower-right corner.



This photomosaic was published in the Journal of the Royal Geographical Society to illustrate Kennedy's report on his findings at Petra. [MEAST3383]