Researchers from institutions in the U.S., Guatemala, and France have discovered hundreds of hidden archaeological sites in northern Guatemala’s Mirador-Calakmul karst basin. They date the settlements to between 1000 BC and 250 AD. The discoveries cover about 1,683 square kilometers.
Until recently, finding lost civilizations beneath a dense jungle canopy was nearly impossible. But remote laser sensing technology—LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging)—has changed that. It lets researchers see beneath thick vegetation and locate hidden structures. Using that data, the team created three-dimensional maps of the terrain, ScienceAlert reported.
What archaeologists discovered
About 1,000 hidden Maya settlements. Residential buildings, pyramids, and other infrastructure have given archaeologists new insight into social relationships within the ancient civilization. Researchers suggested these sites belonged to a state-like political entity similar to a kingdom.
The area covered by the discoveries was densely populated. It’s another sign of how densely people lived across Mesoamerica. In addition to closely clustered residences, the team uncovered religious and ceremonial centers, sports and gaming fields, and an advanced system of dams and canals. Parts of the landscape were connected by an almost 200-kilometer network of causeways, which let travelers move through the jungle even during heavy rains.
Structures and dams discovered during the survey.
Researchers say building the residences and infrastructure required workers from many trades: architects, bricklayers, quarry workers, and lime makers and other material producers. Officials oversaw the workforce.
The report says the scale of labor needed to build massive platforms, palaces, dams, and pyramids required thousands of organized specialists and workers.
Archaeologists concluded the variety of structures indicates a developed society in the Preclassic era, with a high level of socio-economic organization and political power.
The team says searches for more unknown archaeological sites in the region must continue. They expect LIDAR will reveal many more objects hidden in the jungle.
