Declassified spy satellite images from the Cold War era have shed new light on the Roman empire by revealing previously unknown forts. Archaeologists reviewing aerial photos from the 1960s and 70s have identified 396 Roman forts in Syria and Iraq, challenging previous understandings of the Roman frontier. The discoveries suggest that the frontier was a hub of cross-border trade, rather than a constant site of conflict. The forts served as support for caravan-based trade, communication, and military transportation. This challenges the assumption that the forts were solely built for defensive purposes. The new findings highlight the fluidity of the frontier and challenge previous assumptions about the rigid borders of the Roman empire.
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2023/oct/26/cold-war-satellite-images-hundreds-unknown-roman-forts