It looks hidden but due to technological advances, scientists have discovered the existence of a city with pyramids. The research team found that there are hidden 6000 structures. This big find was made in the Mexican state of Campeche.
A hidden city with pyramids found in Mexico
Researchers from Tulane University are credited for discovering the existence of vast unexplored Maya settlements in the Mexican state of Campeche. The team of scientists used what is known as Light Detection and Ranging (Lidar) technology which has transformed the way scientists study ancient civilizations.
This tool also allowed the team to study and analyze vast areas from the comfort of a laboratory.
Led by doctoral student Luke Auld-Thomas who worked hand in hand with his advisor, Professor Marcello A. Canuto, the duo affiliated with Tulane’s Middle American Research Institute (MARI), used Lidar technology to study an area of 130 square kilometers in Campeche.
LBV.com published this article or discovery as it resulted in the uncovering of over 6,500 pre-Hispanic structures, including a previously unknown large city with stone pyramids, characteristic of Maya monumental architecture.
How did the scientists find this city with pyramids
The report reveals that Lidar works by emitting laser pulses that measure distances and generate detailed 3D models of terrain, even in densely vegetated areas like tropical rainforests.
While it was initially thought this was a forest, this technology made it possible to detect landscape anomalies that may represent structures such as pyramids, dwellings, and other infrastructure belonging to the Maya civilization, thus aiding archaeologists and anthropologists in exploring hard-to-reach areas.
“Lidar shows us that, like many other ancient civilizations, the lowland Maya built a variety of cities and communities within their tropical landscape,” that’s the view of Canuto, who is also the director of MARI.
According to Auld-Thomas, the Lidar analysis uncovered not only a densely populated region but also a significant variety of settlements.
They found not only rural areas and small communities but also a large city with pyramids, close to the only road in the area, near a village where farmers have been working among the ruins without the government or scientific community being previously aware of its existence.
This discovery is particularly striking, as it underscores how much remains unknown about the Maya and that there is still much to uncover. Moreover, this research provides valuable evidence for ongoing debates about the actual extent of Maya settlements and their population density.
As Auld-Thomas points out, “Lidar enables rapid and accurate mapping of extensive areas, generating a detailed picture of the distribution of structures. However, it has been argued that previous studies have focused mainly on large, well-known sites like Tikal, which could have distorted perceptions of the Maya lowlands.
“Some critics suggest that most of the Maya area might have been predominantly rural, with large settlements being the exception rather than the norm.”
An unknown Mayan city with pyramids
El Pais says the ancient Mayan settlements were buried in the Mexican state and based on data in 2013, this discovery is based on data that was collected more than 10 years ago.
“It has uncovered thousands of structures, including a city archaeologists have named Valeriana, raising new questions about the Mayan civilization. Using Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology – the researchers mapped an area of approximately 47 square miles, identifying over 6,700 pre-Hispanic structures.”
The Moment has gathered that many sites in Campeche remain unexplored by archaeologists, and the discovery of these settlements demonstrates that new technologies can reveal secrets from the past that had previously been overlooked.
A report published by the BBC, the discovery suggests that Valeriana may have been home to between 30,000 and 50,000 inhabitants at its peak.