Three Roman military camps have been discovered in the Arabian desert, after archaeologists spotted their outlines on Google Maps.
The University of Oxford researchers have dated them back to 106 AD, believing they were used during a hostile takeover of the Nabataean Kingdom.
This is because the camps run in a straight line towards Dumat al-Jandal in Saudi Arabia, which used to be a settlement in the kingdom’s east.
They also have the typical playing card shape of Roman fortified camps, which armies would have used as temporary defensive bases while marching on campaign.
Prior to this discovery, it was thought that the conquest of the Nabataean Kingdom was relatively peaceful, but the camps suggest a surprise, deadly attack took place.
