Lost Maya Cities Revealed Through Cutting-Edge Lidar Technology
Laser-guided imaging unveils thousands of pre-Hispanic structures, shedding new light on the untapped complexity of ancient Maya civilization.
Recent groundbreaking research in Antiquity1 has revolutionized the understanding of ancient Maya civilization. Utilizing cutting-edge lidar technology, researchers from Tulane University and Northern Arizona University have uncovered more than 6,500 structures hidden beneath the dense forests of Campeche, Mexico. This discovery not only reveals vast new settlements but also challenges long-held assumptions about the extent of Maya urbanization, including the existence of a previously unknown city with iconic stone pyramids.
The Power of Lidar in Archaeology
Lidar, a laser-based detection system, allows archaeologists to scan landscapes by sending thousands of laser pulses per second and mapping the terrain based on how these pulses reflect off surfaces. Unlike traditional fieldwork, lidar can reveal structures concealed by dense vegetation or earth, transforming how researchers study ancient civilizations.
In the Campeche region of Mexico, an area that had largely been overlooked by archaeologists, the Tulane research team led by Luke Auld-Thomas and Professor Marcello Canuto used lidar to scan over 50 square miles. The findings were astonishing: evidence of more than 6,500 pre-Hispanic structures, including family homes, pyramids, and public plazas.
A New Maya City: Valeriana
Among these findings was the discovery of a large, previously unknown Maya city called Valeriana. This settlement, complete with stone pyramids and causeways, had been hidden in plain sight, just a short hike from a major highway. Valeriana is estimated to have been home to between 30,000 and 50,000 people at its peak between 750 and 850 AD, a population density comparable to that of modern urban areas. Auld-Thomas said,
“The discovery of Valeriana completely changes our understanding of the Maya’s urban landscape. We’ve found one of the densest cities in the region, second only to the famous site of Calakmul, yet no one knew it existed.”
The settlement includes plazas, ceremonial centers, and evidence of advanced water management systems. The presence of temple pyramids and ball courts suggests that Valeriana was a significant cultural and political hub, hinting at a level of urban complexity that was previously underestimated in the region.
A Surprising Discovery
The discovery of Valeriana wasn’t the result of targeted excavation. Instead, Auld-Thomas stumbled upon lidar data collected for environmental monitoring, which revealed the intricate structures of the ancient city. He explained,
“It was a complete accident. I was searching for lidar surveys online and came across data from a Mexican organization. Once we processed the data, it was clear that we had found something incredible.”
This chance discovery has broadened the scope of what archaeologists now know about the Maya civilization, particularly in regions previously considered rural or sparsely populated. Professor Canuto said,
“Lidar is showing us that the Maya built a vast and varied tapestry of settlements. Some areas are densely populated, while others feature small, scattered communities. But across the board, the Maya transformed their environment to sustain complex societies.”
The Implications of the Study
The implications of this research are profound. It challenges earlier assumptions that much of the Maya lowlands were rural, sparsely populated regions, far removed from the monumental urban centers like Tikal and Calakmul. The lidar scans reveal that this region was far more populated and interconnected than previously thought. These new findings support the notion that the Maya had extensive agricultural systems, sophisticated water management techniques, and a complex social structure that allowed them to thrive in various environments. Auld-Thomas noted,
“Lidar allows us to map vast areas with high precision, and the more we map, the more we realize how populous and complex the Maya world truly was.”
This technological advance has revolutionized archaeological methods, enabling researchers to discover new sites that had been missed for centuries.
Climate and the Fall of Valeriana
The reasons for the collapse and abandonment of Maya cities like Valeriana remain a topic of debate. However, researchers point to climate change as a major factor. Valeriana, like many other Maya cities, may have struggled with drought and other environmental stresses that put pressure on its agricultural systems. These findings underscore the vulnerability of densely populated societies to environmental shifts, providing a historical context for understanding how climate may have impacted human civilization. Auld-Thomas explained,
“It’s likely that the onset of drought conditions led to resource scarcity and social upheaval. Valeriana may have been a vibrant city, but like many others, it ultimately couldn’t withstand the environmental pressures.”
The Future of Maya Archaeology
Despite the incredible discoveries already made, researchers believe that many more Maya cities remain hidden beneath the forest canopy. Lidar technology has opened up a new frontier in archaeology, enabling the rapid discovery of lost civilizations in regions previously considered inaccessible. Auld-Thomas noted,
“One of the downsides of discovering so many new Maya cities in the lidar era is that there are more sites than we can realistically study. We’re only scratching the surface of what’s out there. But this research shows that the Maya civilization was far more widespread and diverse than we ever imagined.”
With the continued use of lidar, archaeologists hope to uncover even more settlements, further enriching our understanding of the ancient Maya and their remarkable achievements in urban planning, agriculture, and culture.
Conclusion
The discovery of Valeriana and thousands of other Maya structures in Campeche, Mexico, highlights the potential for future archaeological breakthroughs using lidar technology. These findings have already reshaped our understanding of the Maya civilization’s complexity, population density, and urban landscape. As more research is conducted, it is clear that the Maya were far more advanced and widespread than previously believed, and their legacy continues to inspire new generations of archaeologists.
Auld-Thomas, L., Canuto, M. A., Morlet, A. V., Estrada-Belli, F., Chatelain, D., Matadamas, D., Pigott, M., & Díaz, J. C. F. (2024). Running out of empty space: environmental lidar and the crowded ancient landscape of Campeche, Mexico. Antiquity, 98(401), 1340–1358. https://doi.org/10.15184/aqy.2024.148