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Declassified photos captured by United States spy satellites during the Cold War have unearthed an incredible archaeological find. In what is now Iraq and Syria, the satellites revealed previously unknown Roman-era forts. Unfortunately, many of these structures may have been destroyed over the years due to factors like agricultural expansion, urban development, and war. Nevertheless, these newly discovered forts challenge a long-standing hypothesis that was established in the 1930s regarding the purpose of such fortifications along the eastern border of the ancient Roman Empire. The findings were reported in the journal Antiquity.
Contrary to the popular theory that these forts were built to keep enemies out, the satellite images indicate a different purpose. It is now believed that these forts were constructed to ensure safe passage for caravans and travelers along highly trafficked routes. Rather than serving as hostile barriers, the forts were actually outposts and havens, providing safety and shelter. The study authors came to this conclusion based on the high number of forts found and their widespread distribution.
The high-resolution images used in the study were taken by satellites from two US military programs, namely the Corona Project (1960 to 1972) and Hexagon (1971 to 1986). These images are invaluable to archaeologists because they offer a glimpse into landscapes that have since undergone significant changes. Due to factors like agriculture and urbanization, many archaeological sites have been destroyed or hidden from view. The satellite images allow researchers to see what was once there.
Satellite images are particularly useful for exploring the northern part of the Fertile Crescent in the Middle East, which spans from the eastern coast of the Mediterranean to western Iran. This area is of great archaeological importance, and the ground is highly visible in satellite photos. The research team meticulously analyzed these images to identify Roman forts. These forts are distinctive in shape, with square layouts and walls measuring between 164 and 262 feet (50 to 80 meters) in length.
The challenge arose when the team tried to map the forts documented by French archaeologist Father Antoine Poidebard in the 1920s and 1930s. Poidebard’s map was not large-scale, resulting in spatial errors. Additionally, he did not provide names or numbers for most of the forts, referring to them based on their proximity to geological features. Poidebard’s survey initially found 116 Roman forts aligned north to south, acting as the easternmost boundary of the Roman Empire. However, the satellite photos revealed that these 116 forts were just a fraction of a larger cluster of 396 fortified structures.
These forts spanned approximately 116,000 square miles (300,000 square kilometers), extending from Iraq to Syria and the Mediterranean. Further investigations led to the discovery of 106 additional fortlike structures, suggesting that there are many more Roman forts waiting to be found. Based on excavations at other Roman sites in the region, it is estimated that the forts were built between the second and sixth centuries.
The collective evidence suggests that these forts served as havens and safe zones along well-traveled Roman roads, rather than formidable military fortifications. Borders during this time were places of cultural exchange and the movement of goods and ideas, rather than barriers. This perspective may offer a lesson for the modern era, emphasizing that building walls to keep people out is not an effective long-term solution.
By Mindy Weisberger, a science writer and media producer contributing to Live Science, Scientific American, and How It Works magazine. To access more CNN news and newsletters, create an account at CNN.com.
