Lasers Reveal Maya City, Including Thousands of Structures, Hidden in Mexico

LiDAR technology has uncovered a vast and sophisticated Maya city hidden beneath the jungles of Mexico.

The city, which has been named Aguada Fenix, is located in the Mexican state of Tabasco. It was discovered using LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology, which uses lasers to map the terrain. The LiDAR data revealed a vast network of canals, reservoirs, and other structures that had been hidden from view by the dense jungle vegetation.

Aguada Fenix is one of the largest Maya cities ever discovered.

It covers an area of approximately 16 square kilometers (6.2 square miles) and is estimated to have had a population of up to 10,000 people. The city was built around a large central plaza, which was surrounded by temples, palaces, and other public buildings.

The discovery of Aguada Fenix is a major breakthrough in Maya archaeology. It provides new insights into the development of Maya civilization and the scale of their urban planning.

LiDAR technology is revolutionizing Maya archaeology.

In recent years, LiDAR technology has been used to uncover a number of other hidden Maya cities in Mexico and Guatemala. These discoveries have led to a major reassessment of the size and complexity of Maya civilization.

LiDAR data can be used to create detailed maps of the terrain, which can reveal the presence of buried structures and other features that are not visible from the surface. This technology has been particularly useful in the Maya region, where dense jungle vegetation has obscured many archaeological sites.

The discovery of Aguada Fenix is a reminder of the importance of protecting Maya cultural heritage.

Many Maya archaeological sites are under threat from looting, deforestation, and other forms of degradation. The discovery of Aguada Fenix highlights the need to protect these sites and to ensure that they are preserved for future generations.

The Mexican government has taken steps to protect Aguada Fenix and other Maya archaeological sites. The site has been declared a protected area, and the government is working to develop a management plan for the site.