While poring over detailed online data, a Tulane University archaeology student uncovered a vast Mayan city concealed under dense forest in Campeche, Mexico, offering a new glimpse into sophisticated tropical civilizations once thought nearly vanished.
- Ancient Mayan city named Valeriana found through online LiDAR data.
- City once housed up to 50,000 people, rivaling known Mayan sites.
- Discovery highlights how technology is reshaping archaeological knowledge.
What happened
Luke Auld-Thomas, a PhD student at Tulane University, stumbled upon laser survey data buried deep in his Google search results. The data came from a Mexican environmental monitoring project and included LiDAR scans of a forested area in Campeche, Mexico, revealing an entire ancient city hidden beneath the jungle canopy.
This city, which has since been named Valeriana after a nearby lagoon, contains thousands of structures including pyramids, sports fields, and amphitheaters. It is estimated to have supported a population between 30,000 and 50,000 people around 750 to 850 AD, making it one of the densest urban settlements in Mayan history, second only to the massive Calakmul site nearby.
Why it feels good
The discovery counters the outdated notion that tropical rainforests were mere wildernesses where ancient civilizations faded away. Instead, Valeriana reveals that these regions hosted complex, vibrant, and technologically sophisticated cities.
Additionally, it showcases the power of modern technology and digital archaeology. LiDAR allows researchers to 'see through' dense forests without physically disturbing the land, accelerating discoveries that might otherwise take decades of jungle exploration and excavation.
What to enjoy or watch next
Researchers eagerly anticipate future drone-based LiDAR surveys that could map twice as much terrain over the coming decades, possibly uncovering more lost cities like Valeriana hidden beneath the vast jungles of Latin America.
For now, the site remains untouched on the ground, accessible only through digital maps. The quiet expectation of exploring Valeriana in person holds the promise of exciting archaeological insights and a deeper understanding of the illustrious Mayan civilization.