Archaeologists have identified the exact location of one of the most important battles in Islamic history, the Battle of Qadisiyyah, in Iraq. Experts from Durham University in the UK and Al-Qadisiyyah University in Iraq used declassified images from American spy satellites to pinpoint the site.
They announced the discovery of the location of the Battle of Qadisiyyah and published the results of their research. This significant battle, which took place in 636 or 637 CE, marked the beginning of Muslim conquests outside the Arabian Peninsula, leading to the capture of Persia.
Though it is one of the most pivotal battles in Islamic history, the precise location had remained unknown until now. The experts involved in the research stated that they had been mapping historical sites in the Middle East when this discovery was made. Initially, they focused on mapping the routes taken by pilgrims traveling between Kufa and Makkah and used satellite images taken in the 1970s along with historical manuscripts. During this process, they realized that the same method could be used to identify the location of the Battle of Qadisiyyah.
William Deadman, an expert from Durham University, stated, “I felt this was the best opportunity to discover the location by using this method.” He first marked circles on the map based on the routes described in historical texts and then closely examined satellite images of those locations.
Deadman explained that he was amazed to discover a fortress and wall mentioned in the texts, initially finding it hard to believe. According to the research team, this historic battle took place 19 miles south of Kufa. In this battle, a small group of Muslims, led by Saad ibn Abi Waqqas, defeated the large army of the Sassanian Empire.
The area is now agricultural land, and most of the 6-mile-long wall has either been destroyed or is part of the farmland. After discovering the location of the battle, the researchers planned to survey the area and map the historical remains, but due to tensions in the Middle East, they have not yet been able to implement their plans.
The results of this research were published in the journal Antiquity.
