Rescue on the Euphrates

After appearing on the front page of the New York Times  (‘Dam in Turkey May Soon Flood A “2nd Pompeii”’ on May 7th this year), as well as numerous other national newspapers, the Euphrates bridge-town of Zeugma, virtually unknown a few months ago, has witnessed a major rescue excavation on the lower terraces of the Graeco-Roman city as the waters from the $1.5 billion Biricek dam rose day-by-day. In the aftermath of the rescue project, all involved hope that the experience may provide a model as Turkey embarks upon work on ten more great hydro-electric dams in the archaeologically rich region between the Euphrates and the Tigris.