Last July, we told you that the archaeological world was focusing on better-known sites like Teotihuacán, but another, slightly more inhospitable part of Mexico had uncovered a magnificent treasure: the hidden pyramids in the Balam Kú Biosphere Reserve. However, due to the discovery of the last few hours, this announcement falls short. There are pyramids too, but next to a vast ancient Mayan city beneath a jungle in Mexico.

Discovery. PhD student Lueke Auld-Thomas accidentally stumbled upon one of the year’s archaeological finds while poring over a public database from laser research by a team of Mexican researchers. Discovery: A massive ancient Mayan city called Valeriana was spotted in the Campeche jungle of Mexico, thanks to LIDAR technology that maps structures under dense vegetation.

This isn’t just any discovery. We are talking about a settlement with 6,674 structures such as pyramids, roads, amphitheaters and sports fields for the entire city, which covers an area of ​​16.6 km². A monumental complex that reveals the urban order of an advanced society that disappeared centuries ago. According to archaeologists, Valeriana rivals Calakmul, one of the largest Maya sites, in density and is estimated to have housed 30,000 to 50,000 people between 750 and 850 AD, with cult centers, plazas and houses connected by causeways.

LiDAR as the hero. We have explained this on other occasions, but we cannot ignore the key to discovery. LIDAR technology has revolutionized archeology in densely vegetated areas, such as the tropics, and has been able to map sites in a time comparable to a century of manual exploration.

This progress allowed us to explore not only the city of Valeriana, for example, but also many Mayan cities. But technology has also “discovered” that we are far from having perfect techniques; because the problem is that it does not allow us to dig all the available resources. Valeriana, along with other recently identified sites, represents an invaluable cultural resource that must be preserved and studied in depth.

Map of areas and structures found

What was Valerian like? The findings show that the city of Valeriana had the hallmarks of a typical capital city, with main squares (in this case two were found), pyramidal temples and wide roads connecting important buildings.

These structures also reflect the society’s advanced knowledge of urban planning and symbolize the center of social and religious life for the Mayans living in the region. In addition, a water reservoir system was also identified, indicating that the inhabitants manipulated their environment to support a significant population, highlighting their ability to adapt the natural environment to suit their needs.

The collapse of the city. To the big question: What happened to the residents of Valerian? The decline, which peaked between AD 750 and 850, apparently remains a mystery to researchers, but scientists suggest two old familiars: climate change and overpopulation, may have contributed to the city’s abandonment.

Not only this. It is also stated that long-term drought and resource depletion will create unsustainable pressure, forcing the inhabitants of the region to migrate. Finally, we add that the Spanish conquest in the 16th century weakened and destroyed the Mayan states, leaving cities such as Valeriana forgotten under vegetation.

Cultural significance. There is no doubt that discoveries such as the one just described challenge the old Western vision of forests as inhospitable spaces unsuitable for complex civilizations. The findings at Valeriana suggest that this was little or never the case, and that rainforests are home to rich and sophisticated cultures and are epicenters of development.

Moreover, this discovery not only highlights the importance of these historical sites, but also invites us all to pause for a moment to consider the importance of valuing and protecting the cultural heritage of the South American forests.

Image | Luke Auld-Thomas, Antiquity Publications Ltd; CC BY 4.0, Paolo Lucciola

in Xataka | Everyone knows Teotihuacán, and it turns out there are hidden pyramids in another inhospitable part of Mexico.

in Xataka | LiDAR reveals largest and oldest Mayan monument to date: 1.4 km long and approximately 2,800 years old