Pros:
1. Cold War US spy satellite images provide valuable historical evidence.
2. The discovery of 400 Roman forts sheds light on the ancient Roman Empire’s expansion and military strategy.
3. Uncovering the Romans’ eastern frontier as a trade hub challenges previous assumptions about its purpose.
4. It deepens our understanding of Roman trade routes and the exchange of goods across continents.
5. The findings offer insights into the economic and cultural connections between the Roman Empire and neighboring regions.
Cons:
1. The accuracy and reliability of Cold War spy satellite images can be questionable.
2. Interpretations of the images might vary, leading to potential inaccuracies in identifying the Roman forts.
3. Limited information from the images can make it challenging to fully understand the historical context and purpose of the Roman forts.
4. Without further archaeological evidence, conclusions drawn solely based on satellite images may be incomplete or speculative.
5. Overreliance on spy satellite imagery could overshadow other archaeological methods and research techniques.
New research indicates that the Romans’ eastern frontier served as a bustling center for trade, spanning from East to West, instead of solely being a defensive border.
