Scientist Makes Incredible Discovery: Ancient Maya City Found Accidentally While Browsing the Web!

Written by Fabio Lucas Carvalho

Published on 04/11/2024 at 16:15

Updated on 04/11/2024 at 16:16

Foto: Reprodução

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During Online Research, Scientist Identifies Ruins of a Lost Maya City, Revealing an Unexpected Archaeological Find

An archaeologist from Tulane University, Luke Auld-Thomas, made a remarkable discovery while analyzing LiDAR three-dimensional maps of densely vegetated areas in southern Mexico. During an online search, Auld-Thomas accidentally found evidence of an ancient Maya city, named Valeriana, hidden in the jungles of the Campeche region.

The Unexpected Discovery of the Maya 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 based on data from 2013 collected by a Mexican environmental monitoring organization.

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Implications and Surprises

What is most surprising is that this large Maya city is located near a current highway and in an area where local farmers have been cultivating among the ruins for years. “Neither the government nor the scientific community was aware of this city,” Auld-Thomas stated. “This proves that we still have much to discover about the Maya 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 enabled them to identify subtle differences in the terrain that revealed structures that would otherwise go unnoticed.

The findings are just a 15-minute walk from a main road near the town of Xpujil. For reference, Calakmul, a famous archaeological site with impressive pyramids, is only 100 kilometers away.

Dense Urbanization and Abandonment

Studies indicate that urbanization may have been more common than previously thought during the peak growth period of the Maya, between 250 and 900 A.D. However, experts disagree on whether these findings represent a pattern for the entire region or just some specific urban centers.

One of the points that still intrigues scientists is what led to the decline 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 dry conditions, with no remaining flexibility,” Auld-Thomas noted. This may have led to the disintegration of the Maya system.

“I have to visit Valeriana at some point,” the archaeologist said. “It’s so close to the road, how could I not go?”

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Scientist Makes Incredible Discovery: Ancient Maya City Found Accidentally While Browsing the Web!

During Online Research, Scientist Identifies Ruins of a Lost Maya City, Revealing an Unexpected Archaeological Find

The Unexpected Discovery of the Maya City

Implications and Surprises

LiDAR Technology: The Secret Behind the Discovery

Dense Urbanization and Abandonment

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Scientist Makes Incredible Discovery: Ancient Maya City Found Accidentally While Browsing the Web!

During Online Research, Scientist Identifies Ruins of a Lost Maya City, Revealing an Unexpected Archaeological Find

The Unexpected Discovery of the Maya City

Implications and Surprises

LiDAR Technology: The Secret Behind the Discovery

Dense Urbanization and Abandonment

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