How LiDAR Technology Uncovered a Lost Mayan City Hidden in the Mexican Jungle

Overview of the Discovery : Using LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), scientists have unveiled a lost Mayan city concealed for centuries beneath Mexico’s dense jungle. Located in the Campeche region, near the town of Xpujil, this ancient city—named Valeriana by researchers—displays all the typical features of a Classic Maya political capital, including plazas, temple pyramids, a ballcourt, and water reservoirs.

What is LiDAR?

LiDAR is an advanced remote sensing technology that uses laser pulses to measure distances between a sensor and the Earth’s surface, often mounted on aircraft or drones. As the laser hits various surface features such as trees, buildings, and topographical elements, it reflects back, allowing the sensor to record the data. The resulting data is used to create detailed 3D models of ground elevation with an impressive vertical accuracy of up to 10 cm, according to the US Geological Survey.

How Does LiDAR Work?

LiDAR technology consists of a laser, a scanner, and a GPS receiver. Here’s how the process unfolds:

1. Laser Pulsing: The laser emits rapid pulses toward the ground. These pulses interact with vegetation, buildings, and terrain features, then reflect back to the LiDAR sensor.
2. Data Collection: The system records the return time of each pulse, calculating the distance between the sensor and each reflected surface.
3. Point Cloud Creation: The reflected points are recorded as a “point cloud,” which represents everything on the ground, from vegetation to buildings.
4. Elevation Mapping: Using GPS and Inertial Measurement System (IMS) data, these reflections help create a high-resolution elevation map of the area.

LiDAR data can be processed to generate a “bare earth” Digital Elevation Model, stripping away structures and vegetation to reveal the underlying terrain. This feature has proven especially useful for archaeologists investigating densely forested regions, such as those where Mayan civilization thrived.

Why LiDAR is a Powerful Tool for Archaeologists

LiDAR has become an essential tool in archaeological discovery for its ability to reveal hidden structures buried under dense vegetation, which can be challenging to identify on foot. Traditional archaeological surveys in jungle regions often involve extensive manual labor, with researchers clearing vegetation to uncover ancient ruins. However, LiDAR allows archaeologists to bypass these challenges, surveying large areas remotely and quickly.

Luke Auld-Thomas, the lead author of the research that revealed Valeriana, described the revolutionary impact of LiDAR on archaeology. Previously, Mayan civilization studies were confined to limited, painstakingly mapped areas. But with LiDAR, Auld-Thomas could study expansive areas without leaving the lab, using data from a 2013 forest-monitoring project to identify features of a lost city.

The Findings in Valeriana

The LiDAR data provided a detailed view of the city’s layout, showcasing architectural elements typical of a Maya capital:

• Multiple Enclosed Plazas: Open spaces connected by causeways, likely used for social, religious, and political gatherings.
• Temple Pyramids: Likely sites for worship and ceremonial activities.
• Ballcourt: The presence of a ballcourt suggests the cultural significance of the Mesoamerican ballgame.
• Reservoirs: Created by damming seasonal watercourses, indicating sophisticated water management practices.
• Early Architectural Style: Suggesting that Valeriana might have been founded as early as 150 CE.

These features underscore the city’s status as a political and cultural hub during the Classic Maya period, a time of major urban and architectural development in the region.

The Broader Implications of LiDAR in Archaeology

The success of LiDAR in uncovering Valeriana highlights its potential for future archaeological discoveries, especially in remote or forested areas. By offering a non-invasive way to explore and map lost civilizations, LiDAR technology could reshape our understanding of ancient societies. For the Maya, in particular, LiDAR is opening up new possibilities, revealing extensive city networks previously obscured by jungles and shifting the focus of research from isolated sites to broader cultural landscapes.

As LiDAR continues to evolve, it is expected to play an even more significant role in uncovering and preserving archaeological sites, providing researchers with new insights into the lives and legacies of ancient civilizations worldwide.