Recent archaeological discoveries on the precise location of the Battle of al-Qadisiyyah, one of the most decisive clashes in Islamic history, offer unprecedented insight into the dynamics of Muslim expansion in the 7th century. Using declassified American satellite images from the 1970s, a team of researchers from Durham University and al-Qadisiyah University in Iraq have identified the remains of this battle between Arab-Muslim troops to Sasanian forces in what is now southern Iraq.
Published in the journal Antiquity, this research is part of the project to protect endangered archaeological sites in the Middle East and North Africa, EAMENA, and brings back to life a historically crucial site, once thought impossible to find. These strategic remains highlight the military and cultural context that shaped this region of the world.
The Battle of al-Qadisiyyah: a historic turning point in Iraq
The Battle of al-Qadisiyyah took place between 636 and 637 CE. It marks a major turning point in the military and political history of the Middle East. Indeed, it opposed the Arab-Muslim army, led by general Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas, to the forces of the Sassanid Empire, then one of the most formidable powers in the region. Although vastly outnumbered, the Muslim fighters demonstrated remarkable resilience and military strategy. They managed to defeat the Sasanian troops. This victory opened the way for Islamic expansion beyond the Arabian Peninsula. It thus initiated a profound transformation of geopolitics in Mesopotamia and Persia.
Beyond its military significance, al-Qadisiyyah also has important symbolic meaning. By sealing the gradual fall of the Sasanian Empire, this battle allowed the establishment of Islam in a region formerly dominated by the Zoroastrians. According to Dr. Mustafa Baig, a specialist in Islamic studies, this victory embodies a “decisive moment” in history, not only in its impact on Sasanian decline, but also in the rise of a new cultural and religious era. It thus remains inscribed in the collective Islamic memory as a founding milestone of the Muslim conquest. It encouraged an expansion that would permanently reshape the cultural and political landscape of the ancient Orient.
A cutting-edge methodology: cross-referencing of texts and satellite imagery
Dr. William Deadman, an expert in archaeological remote sensing, conducted methodical research as part of the EAMENA project, an initiative to document endangered archaeological sites in the Middle East and North Africa. This study focused on the Darb Zubaydah pilgrimage route linking Kufa to Mecca. It involved an in-depth analysis of declassified KH-9 satellite images, captured by American spy satellites in the 1970s. These images, of great precision, made it possible to reveal landscape and architectural features that had disappeared or were invisible to the eye. naked.
The team attempted to cross-reference this visual data with historical accounts detailing the structures and landmarks of the pilgrimage route. Eventually, they were able to identify elements that matched descriptions of ancient fortifications and stopping points. This allowed for a potential geographic location of the battle of al-Qadisiyyah, 30 km south of Kufa, Iraq.
1973 KH9 imagery of key features discovered. © WM Deadman et al., 2024
Using this combined approach of spatial imagery and historical textual sources, the team was able to map a double wall of almost ten kilometers. It connected a military complex to a notable settlement area. This wall, visible in the KH-9 images, corresponds to specific historical mentions. They describe defense and control installations on the edge of the desert and the Mesopotamian plain. Experts have thus validated the hypothesis that these defensive structures belonged to a Sasanian fortified network used to protect the axes of communication and control the southern borders of the empire.
Discovery of key structures: strategic points of the battlefield revealed in Iraq
On the ground, the validation work carried out by Iraqi researchers was essential to confirm the interpretations of Dr Deadman's team. They were able to identify strategic crossing points along the Darb Zubaydah route, including the sites of al-Qadisiyyah and al-'Udhayb. These two localities, located in Najaf province south of Kufa, correspond to stops mentioned in historical sources as key points for moving armies, which reinforces their importance in the context of the Battle of al-Qadisiyyah. Local researchers also clearly highlighted the walls and ditches on site.
Probable location of the Battle of al-Qadisiyyah. © WM Deadman et al., 2024
These walls are partly eroded. With these ditches surrounding the fortress of al-'Udhayb, they provide a concrete overview of the elaborate defensive devices. They had to secure the region against incursions. Al-'Udhayb, in particular, with its triple enclosure visible in the KH-9 images, embodies a striking example of Sasanian fortification. They show how the defenders structured their positions around water points or canals. According to Dr. Deadman, finding such a precise match between ancient texts and physical remains on the ground is “extremely rare in archaeology.”
Archaeological Perspectives and Cultural Significance
The Endangered Archeology in the Middle East and North Africa (EAMENA) project, launched in 2015 and funded by the Arcadia Foundation, is dedicated to the documentation and preservation of archaeological sites threatened by various factors, including urban expansion, intensive agriculture and armed conflicts. It is based on international collaboration between several universities, including Durham, Oxford and Leicester. It uses cutting-edge technologies, such as satellite imagery and remote sensing, to identify, document and assess sites at risk.
For EAMENA, the documentation of historical sites like that of al-Qadisiyyah, in Iraq, remains crucial. Whether for archeology but also for the protection of cultural heritage. Particularly in regions prone to instability. Despite the geopolitical challenges slowing down excavations, researchers remain engaged. They hope to deepen their research on site, in particular by analyzing the structure and age of the remains. Their goal is to better understand the military and cultural organization of the time. But above all they want to raise awareness of the threats weighing on this fragile heritage.
Source: Deadman WM, Jotheri J, Hopper K, Almayali R, al-Luhaibi AA, Crane A. “Locating al-Qadisiyyah: mapping Iraq's most famous early Islamic conquest site”. Antiquity. Published online 2024:1-8. doi:10.15184/aqy.2024.185
With an unwavering passion for local news, Christopher leads our editorial team with integrity and dedication. With over 20 years’ experience, he is the backbone of Wouldsayso, ensuring that we stay true to our mission to inform.
