Declassified Spy Images Reveal Site of Historic Battle in Iraq

Archaeologists have pinpointed the Battle of al-Qadisiyyah location using 1970s-era satellite imagery.

Researchers from Durham University and the University of Al-Qadisiyah identified the site 30 kilometers south of Kufa in Iraq's Najaf province.
The Battle of al-Qadisiyyah, fought in the 630s AD, was crucial for the Arab Muslim expansion into Persia.
Key features identified at the site include a deep trench, fortresses, and pottery shards dating back to the battle's period.
The discovery was part of a project to map the Darb Zubaydah pilgrimage route, using historical texts and satellite images.
Plans for further excavation are underway, marking a resurgence in archaeological efforts in Iraq after decades of conflict.