Aerial view of the start of construction of the Thysdrus amphitheater (El Jem). The drawing is in landscape format and has no frame. Inscriptions appear on the reverse.
The scene depicts the early stages of the amphitheater’s construction. Workers are setting up the building’s substructures. The arena with its trap doors and circulation galleries can be seen. Blocks are brought to the site by cart. They are then trimmed on site before being positioned using hoists.