The discovery of the lost city of Sai Island in Sudan by a joint archaeological mission led by the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) and the Sudanese National Corporation for Antiquities and Museums (NCAM) represents a significant contribution to our understanding of the ancient history of Sudan and the wider Nile River Valley. The city, which was an important center for trade and worship during the New Kingdom period of ancient Egypt, had been lost to history for centuries. However, in 2018, the rediscovery of the city by the joint archaeological mission led to the uncovering of valuable insights into the cultural and economic exchanges that took place in the region over the course of millennia.

In addition to the joint archaeological mission, the discovery of the lost city of Sai Island also involved cutting-edge technology and expertise from the fields of satellite imaging and remote sensing. The Mysteria satellite, which is operated by the French Space Agency (CNES), played a key role in the discovery. Equipped with LIDAR (Laser Detection and Ranging) technology, the satellite was able to penetrate the dense vegetation that covers the island and provide high-resolution maps of the terrain. The satellite's LIDAR technology was able to create 3D images of the island's topography, which allowed archaeologists to identify areas of interest for excavation.

The LIDAR discovery team, which consisted of experts in satellite imaging and remote sensing, analyzed the data from the Mysteria satellite and identified several areas on the island that showed evidence of human activity. This led the team to the discovery of the lost city of Sai Island and the subsequent excavation and study of the site. The team's discovery of the lost city has yielded valuable insights into the cultural and economic exchanges that took place in the region over the course of millennia.

The city's strategic location along the Nile River made it an important center for trade between ancient Egypt and Nubia, and the discovery of several kilns on the site suggests that it was also an important center for pottery production. Archaeologists have also uncovered the remains of a large temple dedicated to the god Amun, which provides new insights into the religious practices of the city's inhabitants. The careful urban planning of the city, with streets, houses, and public buildings arranged in a grid-like pattern, also indicates that the city was a well-organized and prosperous community.

Despite its importance, the lost city of Sai Island was abandoned sometime around the 7th century CE, and the reasons for its abandonment remain unclear. Nevertheless, the rediscovery of the city by the joint archaeological mission and the use of cutting-edge technology and interdisciplinary expertise promises to shed further light on the complex cultural and economic exchanges that took place in this part of the world over the course of millennia.

The discovery of the lost city of Sai Island is a testament to the power of collaboration and innovation in uncovering the rich cultural heritage of our world. The use of advanced satellite imaging and remote sensing technology, combined with the expertise of archaeologists and researchers from multiple fields, has allowed us to gain new insights into the ancient history of the region. The ongoing excavation and study of the site promises to yield further discoveries and contribute to our understanding of the complex cultural and economic exchanges that took place in this part of the world over the course of millennia.