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Beth-Shean’s Broadway. The best-preserved ancient theater in all Israel, this huge semicircular structure dates to the Roman period and measures about 360 feet across at its widest point (from upper left to lower right)—the length of a football field with end zones included.

At upper right and continuing beyond the picture are the remains of the fourth-century A.D. colonnaded street that led toward the base of the tell. A covered sidewalk, called a stoa, and shops lined a portion of this street. The remains of Beth-Shean’s bathhouse can be seen along the top right edge of the picture.

If plans for restoring the theater succeed, the long-dormant stage will again be filled with the sound of live performances.