Declassified Spy Satellite Images Lead to Discovery of Historic Battle Site in Iraq
A team of archaeologists from the UK’s Durham University and the University of Al-Qadisiyah has made a remarkable discovery: the site of the Battle of al-Qadisiyah, a pivotal seventh-century conflict that played a decisive role in the spread of Islam, The Associated Press reports.
The battle, which took place in Mesopotamia (present-day Iraq), pitted the Arab Muslim army against the Sassanid Persian dynasty. The decisive Arab victory led to their conquest of Persia, now Iran.
The discovery was made during a remote sensing survey of the Darb Zubaydah, a pilgrimage route built over 1,000 years ago. Declassified 1970s-era spy satellite images revealed features in a site 30 kilometers south of Kufa that matched historical accounts of the Battle of al-Qadisiyah.
The team, led by archaeologist William Deadman of Durham University, identified key features including a deep trench, two fortresses, and an ancient river – reportedly forded by elephant-mounted Persian troops. Ground surveys confirmed the findings and uncovered pottery shards dating back to the battle period.
The discovery carries significant historical and political weight. Professor Jaafar Jotheri, a member of the team and an archaeologist at the University of Al-Qadisiyah, noted that Iraqis of his generation grew up with the Battle of al-Qadisiyah as a symbol of national pride, particularly during the Iran-Iraq War.
However, the battle’s significance has evolved in post-Saddam Iraq. The country’s relationship with Iran, a regional power that has significantly expanded its influence in Iraq since the 2003 US-led invasion, has added another layer of complexity to the battle’s historical context.
The team plans to begin excavations at the site next year. The discovery is part of a larger project to document endangered archaeological sites in Iraq, a country often referred to as the “cradle of civilization.” After decades of conflict, looting, and stalled excavations, archaeology is experiencing a resurgence in Iraq.
