Ancient Maya City Valeriana Discovered in Mexican Jungle, Revealing Hidden Urban Landscape

October 30, 2024
Ancient Maya City Valeriana Discovered in Mexican Jungle, Revealing Hidden Urban Landscape
  • The city was likely abandoned thousands of years ago, potentially due to climate change and its impact on the region's agricultural viability.

  • Researchers have uncovered traces of an ancient Maya city named Valeriana in the dense jungles of southern Mexico, revealing a previously unknown urban landscape.

  • Using advanced laser scanning technology known as LiDAR, a survey covering 50 square miles identified 6,764 structures, indicating a significant population density in the area.

  • The findings, published in the journal Antiquity on October 30, 2024, suggest that the jungle, once thought to be sparsely populated, was home to a complex society.

  • The analysis indicates that Valeriana could have supported a population of 30,000 to 50,000 people at its peak between 750 and 850 AD.

  • Valeriana features two monumental precincts, including a political capital layout with plazas, a ball court, temple pyramids, and a freshwater reservoir.

  • The structures date from approximately 250 to 900 AD, with evidence suggesting earlier settlement could have begun around 150 AD.

  • Experts caution that while LiDAR reveals surface features, it does not provide precise timelines for occupation, complicating the understanding of the city's historical context.

  • The discovery highlights the potential for more undiscovered settlements, emphasizing the need for continued archaeological exploration in the region.

  • LiDAR technology, which has revolutionized archaeological research, allows for detailed mapping of terrain and structures hidden beneath dense vegetation.

  • Led by anthropologist Luke Auld-Thomas, this research underscores the importance of integrating environmental data with archaeological studies to enhance our understanding of ancient Maya civilization.

  • Overall, these findings contribute significantly to the understanding of urbanization in the Campeche region, challenging previous notions of low-density settlements in ancient civilizations.

Summary based on 11 sources


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