Spy satellites and archaeology

At http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2014/04/140425-corona-spy-satell… … US spy satellites data from the Cold War period has been released and it displays images that can be used by archaeologists as it shows up clear as daylight numerous ancient settlements (citeis, towns, villages) in fine detail, some of which were unknown to scholars. In this instance, it the Near and Middle East (modern Turkey, Syria, and Iraq) that is of interest – many of the sites are now stranded in the desert and far away from human habitation. Other sites are big, really big. Even ancient roads and canals show up clear and distinct in the pictures.