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During online research, scientist identifies ruins of a lost Mayan city, revealing an unexpected archaeological find
Um Tulane University archaeologist Luke Auld-Thomas, made a remarkable discovery while analyzing 3D LiDAR maps of regions covered by dense vegetation in southern Mexico. During an internet search, Auld-Thomas found accidentally found evidence of an ancient Mayan city, named Valeriana, hidden in the jungles of the Campeche region.
The unexpected discovery of the Mayan city
The team of scientists led by Auld-Thomas was studying an area equivalent to the size of the city of Edinburgh, Scotland.
As described in a study published in the journal Antiquity, the discovery was made based on 2013 data collected by a Mexican environmental monitoring organization.
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"I was on page 16 of a Google search when I found this laser search,” Auld-Thomas explained in a statement. The archaeologist and his colleagues from the Department of Anthropology have found more than 6.500 pre-Hispanic structures, including impressive stone pyramids.
Implications and surprises
The most surprising thing is that this great city Maya is located near a current highway and an area where local farmers have farmed among the ruins for years.”Neither the government nor the scientific community had knowledge of this city.,” said Auld-Thomas. “IThis proves that we still have a lot to discover about the Mayan civilization."
LiDAR Technology: The Secret Behind the Discovery
LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology was key to this discovery. By firing laser pulses from aircraft towards the ground, scientists were able to create detailed three-dimensional models of densely forested areas. This allowed them to identify subtle differences in the terrain that revealed structures that would otherwise go unnoticed.
The finds are just a 15-minute walk from a main road near the town of Xpujil. To give you an idea, Calakmul, a famous archaeological site with imposing pyramids, is just 100 kilometers away.
Dense urbanization and abandonment
Studies suggest that urbanization may have been more common than previously thought during the Maya's period of greatest growth, between 250 and 900 AD. However, experts disagree whether these findings reflect a pattern for the entire region or just a few specific urban centers.
One of the points that still intrigues scientists is what led to the fall of these cities. According to the BBC, some theories suggest that climate change was a decisive factor.The landscape was fully occupied at the onset of drought conditions, with no flexibility remaining,” Auld-Thomas pointed out. This may have led to the disintegration of the Mayan system.
"I have to visit Valeriana sometime,” said the archaeologist. “It's so close to the road, how could you not go?"
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