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Hundreds of photos of ancient Roman forts in the Middle East have been discovered through a declassified Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) satellite spy program. These high-resolution images were taken by satellites during the Corona Project (1960 to 1972) and Hexagon (1971 to 1986) military programs.

Previously, it was believed that Roman forts in present-day Syria and Iraq served as a line of defense. However, the new study challenges this theory and suggests that these forts were actually used for the safe passage of goods and people. Researchers studying the satellite imagery found that the forts were scattered throughout the region rather than following a discernible north-south defensive pattern against eastern threats.

The discovery supports the hypothesis that these forts were protectors of trade caravans, facilitating communication and intercultural exchange. The images from the Corona program were declassified in 1995, while the Hexagon’s photos were released to the public in 2011. Originally intended for military reconnaissance during the Cold War, these satellites provided high-resolution, stereo-perspective images, making them valuable resources for archaeological research.

The landscape captured by the satellites has drastically changed over time due to urban expansion, agricultural intensification, and reservoir construction. Lead study author Jesse Casana notes that “agriculture and urbanization have destroyed a lot of archaeological sites and features to a shocking degree.” The preservation of these old images allows researchers to see things that are often obscured or no longer present today.

The newly-discovered Roman forts were built between the second and sixth centuries CE, a period marked by instability in the Roman imperial succession, border defense, and external pressures from nomadic groups. This study may shed light on how the Romans managed their empire’s frontiers, hinting at a balance between military defense and trade connections. This highlights the value of historical imagery in understanding ancient civilizations.

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