In a find that combines ancient history with cutting-edge technology, archaeologists at Northern Arizona University have unearthed a lost Mayan city in the dense jungle of Campeche, Mexico. This discovery not only sheds light on the past of the Maya civilization, but also highlights the crucial role of LiDAR technology in modern archaeology. How did a city the size of Beijing remain hidden for so long, and what does this mean for the future of archaeology?
The LiDAR revolution in archaeology
LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology has revolutionized the way archaeologists explore densely forested terrain, such as that of Mesoamerica. By using laser pulses to map the earth’s surface, LiDAR makes it possible to identify structures hidden beneath the vegetation. In this case, it allowed the team led by Dr. Luke Auld-Thomas to discover nearly 7,000 structures, including pyramids and a ball game, spread over approximately 129 square kilometers.
The use of LiDAR is not new, but its application in this context has been particularly revealing. The data used by the team came from a previous LiDAR study commissioned in 2013 to monitor carbon pools in Mexican forests. This innovative approach not only saves resources, but also maximizes the potential for archaeological discoveries in previously unexplored areas.
Valeriana: a city of epic proportions
Named Valeriana by researchers after a nearby freshwater lagoon, this lost city rivals Beijing in size, underscoring the magnitude of the find. It exhibits all the characteristics of a Classic Maya political capital: enclosed plazas, pyramids, a ball court, a reservoir and an architectural design that suggests a foundation prior to A.D. 150, long before the Classic period of the Maya (A.D. 250-900). This discovery challenges the notion that we know all the major settlements of the Maya civilization and suggests that much remains to be discovered.
Valeriana’s discovery also highlights how technology can complement traditional fieldwork. While LiDAR offers a comprehensive, aerial view of archaeological sites, future studies will focus on detailed fieldwork to better understand the structure and functionality of this Maya settlement.
Implications for the Future of Archaeology
The use of liDAR in archaeology has not only facilitated the discovery of Valeriana, but has also raised questions about how the study of ancient cultures might be reimagined. The ability to scan vast areas with millimeter precision offers unprecedented potential for discovering and preserving cultural heritage.
This discovery is a testament to the transformative power of technology in fields not traditionally associated with digital innovation. The intersection of technology and archaeology promises not only to unearth the secrets of the past, but also to inspire new ways of understanding and protecting cultural legacy. In conclusion, the discovery of the Mayan city of Valeriana is not only a triumph for archaeology, but also a reminder of how technology can open new frontiers in human knowledge.
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How a PhD Student Discovered a Lost Mayan City From Hundreds of Miles Away
