Over Libya's Coast

Alan Taylor
May 30, 2013
24 Photos
In Focus

Recently, aerial photographer Jason Hawkes was on an assignment in Libya, with access to a Russian-built Mi-8 helicopter, He flew along the Mediterranean coastline, photographing Tripoli and several ancient Roman sites from above, including Sabratha and Leptis Magna. The result is a collection of images of Libya rather unlike most recent photos from the region, showing a continuity of more than 2,000 years of human habitation along the coast of North Africa. Jason was once again kind enough to share some of his images with us here. Be sure to also see an earlier story, showing the Night Skies of London and the U.K..

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Aerial view of the almost intact ancient Sabratha Theatre located in Sabratha, Libya, on the Mediterranean coast. The site was originally a Phoenician trading-post, but became part of the Roman Empire, and its monuments were built in the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD. View on Google Maps. #

© Jason Hawkes

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Overview of ancient Sabratha, with some of the buildings of modern Sabratha in the background. View on Google Maps. #

© Jason Hawkes

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A quarry located on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea between Sabratha and Tripoli, Libya. View on Google Maps. #

© Jason Hawkes

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Aerial view of the Royal Palace of Tripoli, previously the residence of the Libyan monarch, the palace is now a public library. View on Google Maps. #

© Jason Hawkes

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People on Martyrs' Square, Tripoli. The square is the meeting point of many avenues in Tripoli including Omar Mukhtar Avenue which is the longest in North Africa. View on Google Maps. #

© Jason Hawkes

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Close up view of the large fountain located in the center of Martyrs' Square in Tripoli. View on Google Maps. #

© Jason Hawkes

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The ruins of Leptis Magna, a prominent city of the Roman Empire, near present-day Khoms, Libya. View on Google Maps. #

© Jason Hawkes

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The site of Leptis Magna, with the Mediterranean behind. Founded 2,000 years ago as the Phoenician port of Lpgy, it was integrated into the Roman Empire in 46 BC, growing into a significant city soon after. View on Google Maps. #

© Jason Hawkes

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Ruins of a breakwater and Byzantine wall of Leptis Magna. The harbor itself was to the right of this structure, but silted up and filled in many years ago. View on Google Maps. #

© Jason Hawkes

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The ruins of the Severan Forum Basilica in Leptis Magna. The Roman Emperor Septimius Severus was born in Leptis Magna in 145 AD, and was responsible for the construction of the forum. View on Google Maps. #

© Jason Hawkes

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The Amphitheater of Leptis Magna, a former quarry, converted into an arena. View on Google Maps. #

© Jason Hawkes

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A wider view of the Amphitheater of ancient Leptis Magna, on Libya's coast. View on Google Maps. #

© Jason Hawkes

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