Mapping Damascus during the First World War. A German-Ottoman Cooperation of Cartography, Archaeology and Military?

During the First World War, German and Ottoman experts collaborated to map Damascus, revealing a complex interplay of archaeological preservation and military objectives. The study finds that while the mapping efforts were ostensibly aimed at preserving ancient sites, they also served strategic military purposes under the guise of cultural heritage protection. Researchers used trigonometrical surveys and aerial photographs to document the city's structures, blending scientific inquiry with wartime logistics. This dual-purpose approach highlights the paradoxical nature of German-Ottoman cooperation, where archaeology and cartography intersected with military strategy.

Willert, S. (2021). Mapping Damascus during the First World War. A German-Ottoman Cooperation of Cartography, Archaeology and Military? Proceedings of the ICA, 3, 1–16. https://doi.org/10.5194/ica-proc-3-12-2021