Valeriana, an ancient Mayan city discovered thanks to laser imaging | Culture

Recent research has revealed the existence of ancient Mayan settlements buried in… The Mexican state of Campeche. The discovery, based on data collected in 2013, uncovered thousands of structures, including a city that archaeologists have named Valeriana, raising new questions about Maya civilization. Using light detection and ranging (LiDAR) technology – an advanced technique that uses laser beams to measure distances – researchers created a detailed map of the ancient city.

The testpublished in journal Antiqueconducted by an international team of archaeologists from Tulane University in the United States. Using data from the 2013 Campeche project, researchers mapped an area of ​​approximately 47 square miles, identifying more than 6,700 pre-Hispanic structures.

Unknown Mayan city

The most important discoveries include the city of Valeriana, whose name comes from the nearby lagoon. The city exhibits the typical features of a political center from the Classical period (250-900 AD), including pyramidal temples, public squares, roads connecting the various sectors, a football pitch and water management structures. Valeriana covers an area of ​​approximately 7 square miles and stretches along two nucleation areas, connected by an extensive network of houses and roads.

According to BBCthe discovery suggests that at its peak Valeriana may have had between 30,000 and 50,000 inhabitants. Moreover, it is only a 15-minute walk from the main road near Xpujil, indicating that these structures were hidden from view for centuries.

Densely populated landscape

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

Evidence suggests that the Maya cities of Campeche were connected by a network of rural settlements and agricultural zones. Terraces and walls associated with agricultural activities were detected, indicating intensive land use and advanced infrastructure. This would help sustain large populations by adapting the environment to crop production and water management.

These discoveries provide new information about the social and economic organization of society Maya civilization. The high density of settlements and the presence of complex urban and agricultural infrastructure suggest a civilization that was much more interconnected and adapted to its environment than previously thought. The study also raises new questions and challenges long-held assumptions, such as the notion that the Maya lived in isolated villages.

The 2013 project was an initiative to monitor greenhouse gas emissions and promote forest conservation. Initially, LiDAR data was collected to map vegetation density and its carbon sequestration potential. However, archaeologists – who would not have been able to map such a large area without advance clues – used the data to explore an area they considered unexplored. Although the original goal was not to discover Mayan ruins, the team was aware of the high probability of finding artifacts; however, they were not prepared for the enormity of what they ultimately discovered.

Understanding Campeche through archaeology

Despite the progress made, fully understanding the social structure and chronology of the discovered settlements remains a challenge. LiDAR technology the exact age of the structure cannot be determined, meaning excavations and field analysis are needed to obtain accurate data. Additionally, some of the identified structures may not have been used for residential purposes but may have been associated with other activities, which could have an impact on population estimates.

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

Register our weekly newsletter for more news in English from EL PAÍS USA Edition