Valeriana, ancient Mayan city found thanks to laser imaging | Culture

Recent research has revealed the existence of ancient Mayan settlements buried in the area. Mexican state of Campeche. The discovery, based on data collected in 2013, revealed thousands of structures, including a city that archaeologists named Valeriana, and raised new questions about the structure. Mayan civilization. Researchers created a detailed map of the ancient city using Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology, an advanced technique that uses laser beams to measure distances.

to workPublished on , daily antiquityIt was conducted by an international team of archaeologists from Tulane University in the United States. Using data from a 2013 project in Campeche, researchers mapped an area of ​​approximately 47 square miles and identified more than 6,700 pre-Hispanic structures.

An unknown Mayan city

Among the most important discoveries is the city of Valeriana, named after a nearby lagoon. This city displays typical features of a political center from the Classical period (250-900 AD), including pyramidal temples, public squares, roads connecting various sectors, a ball field, and structures for water management. Valeriana covers an area of ​​approximately 7 square miles and extends along two nucleation areas connected by an extensive network of houses and roads.

according to BBCThe discovery suggests that Valeriana may have hosted between 30,000 and 50,000 inhabitants at its peak. In addition, these buildings are only a 15-minute walk from the main road near Xpujil. hidden from view for centuries.

A densely populated landscape

Analysis of LiDAR data revealed a density of 55.3 structures per square kilometer (about 143 structures per square mile), exceeding records for comparable areas in Guatemala and Belize. Researchers have identified differences in settlement density, from sparsely populated rural areas to large, architecturally complex urban centers.

Evidence suggests that Mayan cities in Campeche were connected by a network of rural settlements and agricultural areas. Terraces and walls related to agricultural activities were identified; This indicates intensive land use and developed infrastructure. This could have helped sustain large populations by adapting the environment for crop production and water management.

These findings provide new insights into the social and economic organization of society. Mayan civilization. The high density of settlements and the existence of complex urban and agricultural infrastructures indicate a civilization that was much more interconnected and adapted to the environment than previously thought. The research also raises new questions and challenges long-held assumptions, such as the idea that the Mayans lived in isolated villages.

The 2013 project was an initiative aimed at monitoring carbon emissions and promoting forest conservation. LiDAR data was initially collected to map vegetation density and carbon sequestration potential. But archaeologists, unable to map such a large area without prior guidance, used this data to investigate what they considered uncharted territory. Although the original goal was not to explore Mayan ruins, the team was aware that there was a high probability of finding artifacts; but they were unprepared for the magnitude of what they ultimately uncovered.

Understanding Campeche through archaeology

Despite the progress made, challenges remain in fully understanding the social structure and chronology of the discovered settlements. LiDAR technology The exact age of the structures cannot be determined, which means excavation and field analysis must be carried out to obtain accurate data. Additionally, some of the identified structures may be associated with other activities rather than residential purposes, which may affect population estimates.

Many sites in Campeche remain unexplored by archaeologists, and the discovery of these sites shows that new technologies can reveal previously overlooked secrets from the past.

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