Lost Mayan City Discovered in Mexico
In a groundbreaking discovery, archaeologists have uncovered a massive Mayan city that had been hidden under a thick jungle canopy in Mexico for centuries. The city, named Valeriana, is located in the southeastern state of Campeche and boasts pyramids, sports fields, causeways, and amphitheaters.
Uncovering Valeriana
Using Lidar technology, researchers were able to map out the hidden complex buried under vegetation. Valeriana is believed to be the second-largest Mayan site in ancient Latin America, rivaling the size of the renowned Calakmul site. The city, which spans the size of Scotland’s capital Edinburgh, was accidentally discovered by archaeologist Luke Auld-Thomas while browsing data online.
Rich History and Complex Culture
Valeriana is thought to have been home to a population of 30-50,000 people during its peak from 750 to 850 AD, surpassing the current population of the region. Named after a nearby lagoon, the city challenges the Western notion that tropical regions were where civilizations went to die. Instead, it highlights the rich and complex cultures that thrived in these areas.
Climate Change and Abandonment
While the exact reason for Valeriana’s demise remains unknown, researchers believe climate change played a significant role. The city, with its dense buildings and structures, bears the hallmarks of a capital city and was densely populated. Evidence of a reservoir suggests that the landscape was utilized to support a large population.
Revolutionizing Archaeology
Lidar technology has revolutionized how archaeologists survey areas covered in vegetation, like the jungles of the Tropics. This new tool has uncovered a world of lost civilizations and opened up a wealth of possibilities for further exploration. The research, published in the academic journal Antiquity, sheds light on the intricate history of the Mayan civilization and the challenges they faced.
