The incense tax

That overhead imagery could help crystallize the trading route’s function, Foote explained. And the drones could also help point out specific stops along the way, for instance. The archaeologist said, “We can guess that [the Nabataeana] had a successful agricultural economy, but was there a tax on incense? How did they manage their water?” Clearly, she hoped the drones will help to answer such questions. Photo Credit: FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP / Getty Images