Laser Archeology Finds Lost Maya Cities Hidden Under Forests
Laser Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) technology has revealed dozens of previously unknown Maya cities and settlements hidden beneath the dense rainforest canopy of northern Guatemala.
LIDAR is a remote sensing method that uses laser pulses to measure distances to the ground. It can penetrate dense vegetation, allowing archaeologists to see the ground beneath without having to clear it. Using high-resolution LIDAR data, researchers said, they found nearly 60,000 previously unknown structures, including pyramids, palaces, causeways, and reservoirs.
They said these structures are part of a vast network of Maya cities and settlements that flourished in the region between 650 and 800 A.D. The findings suggest that the Maya civilization was much larger and more complex than previously thought.
The Maya civilization was one of the most advanced civilizations in the Americas. They developed a complex system of writing, mathematics, and astronomy.
They also built impressive cities and temples, many of which are still standing today. The Maya civilization flourished in the region of Mesoamerica, which includes present-day Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador.
The Maya civilization reached its peak around 800 A.D., but it declined rapidly thereafter. The reasons for the Maya collapse are still debated, but it likely had to do with a combination of factors, including environmental change, warfare, and disease.
The LIDAR data has provided archaeologists with a new wealth of information about the Maya civilization. It has allowed them to see the extent of Maya settlements and to understand how they were organized. It has also helped to identify new areas for excavation, which could lead to further discoveries about the Maya civilization.
Here are some of the key findings of the LIDAR study:
- The Maya civilization was much larger than previously thought. The LIDAR data revealed nearly 60,000 previously unknown Maya structures, including pyramids, palaces, causeways, and reservoirs.
- The Maya civilization was highly organized. The LIDAR data showed that Maya cities and settlements were connected by a network of causeways and canals.
- The Maya civilization was very advanced. The LIDAR data showed that Maya cities had complex water management systems, irrigation systems, and agricultural terraces.
