Archaeologists have used declassified spy satellite imagery from the 1960s and 70s to reassess an early aerial archaeology survey conducted in the 1930s. The initial survey, published by Father Antoine Poidebard, identified a line of 116 Roman forts along the eastern frontier of the Roman Empire. However, the recent evaluation using satellite imagery revealed 396 previously undiscovered Roman forts in Syria and Iraq. Contrary to previous beliefs, the distribution of these forts suggests that they were not a north-south border wall but rather played a role in facilitating trade and communication between different regions. The discoveries highlight the value of satellite imagery for recording archaeological sites that are at risk of being lost.
https://phys.org/news/2023-10-spy-satellites-reveal-hundreds-undiscovered.html