Declassified Spy Images Uncover Ancient Iraqi Battle Site

A British-Iraqi archaeological team has identified the site of the historic Battle of al-Qadisiyah in Iraq using declassified 1970s U.S. spy satellite images. The battle, fought in the 630s AD between Arab Muslims and the Sassanid Persian army, was pivotal in the spread of Islam. The site, located in southern Najaf, Iraq, features a trench, fortresses, and an ancient river, matching historical descriptions. This discovery is part of a broader effort to document endangered archaeological sites in the region, amid a resurgence of archaeological activity in Iraq.