And in that latter era, the most aqueous place on Mars would have been Cydonia. The Martians had to choose a place which has a latitude of 41 degrees, and nearby urban centers. Cydonia fills both requirements. Even so, we can note on a map of Mars that Chryse Planitia, where Viking 1 landed, isn't all that far from Cydonia, and Ares Vallis, landing site of 1997's Mars Pathfinder probe, is even closer. They seem to be creeping up on Cydonia.
Past water equals potential microfossils.
Even apart from the interest in the Face, Cydonia is of scientific interest. Not that NASA can ever admit that, because then people would observe the coincidence, and the controversy would flare up, and . . . NASA will be sending a heavy-duty rover to Mars, which will land in 2004. If scientific considerations override public relations concerns, the rover could very well be sent to Cydonia. But since it will only travel 300 feet a day, and has a life expectancy of only 90 days, it could very well travel freely and never bump into a Cydonian monument.