William Dedman, an expert in archaeological remote sensing at Durham University, told CNN that the discovery was part of a broader project aimed at mapping archaeological sites throughout the Middle East. Initially the team was mapping the Darb Zubaida pilgrimage route from Kufa in Iraq to Mecca in Saudi Arabia using spy satellite images and historical texts from the 1970s. As a first step they drew a series of circles on a map using distances mentioned in historical accounts, then took a closer look at the areas where they overlapped on satellite images.
An American spy satellite has identified an ancient battle site in Iraq with the help of declassified images. Researchers at Durham University in the United Kingdom and Al-Qadisiyah University in Iraq say they have found the site of the Battle of Al-Qadisiyah, which took place in 636 or 637 AD. The battle marked a significant victory for the Arab Muslims and enabled their expansion beyond Arabia, its exact location not previously known.
William Dedman, an expert in archaeological remote sensing at Durham University, told CNN that the discovery was part of a broader project aimed at mapping archaeological sites throughout the Middle East. Initially the team was mapping the Darb Zubaida pilgrimage route from Kufa in Iraq to Mecca in Saudi Arabia using spy satellite images and historical texts from the 1970s. As a first step they drew a series of circles on a map using distances mentioned in historical accounts, then took a closer look at the areas where they overlapped on satellite images.
Jafar Jothery, professor of archeology at Al-Qadisiyah University, said the main features were a deep moat, two forts, and an ancient river that was reportedly once crossed by Persian soldiers riding elephants. Search. The survey team also found pottery fragments consistent with the time period when the war took place. Zotheri said Iraqis of his generation had grown up under Saddam Hussein’s regime, all too familiar with the battle in minute detail.
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