Scientists have discovered a huge settlement of the ancient Mayan civilization

A group of researchers from the United States and France discovered a very large area with buildings of the Mayan civilization in northern Guatemala. In his article, published in the journal Ancient Mesoamerica, scientists described how this discovery was made using lidar scanning (LiDAR).

LiDAR is a detection system similar to radar, but based on laser light rather than sound signals. It allows you to measure distances by emitting light and measuring the time it takes to return to the receiver.

In recent years, lidars have been actively used to scan hard-to-reach parts of dense tropical forests for signs of ancient civilizations. The lasers used in such systems are capable of penetrating through vegetation, revealing what is underneath.

In this new paper, the researchers describe how they were flying over parts of Guatemala as part of a mapping exercise when they stumbled upon what they call "the vast ancient Maya civilization." Studying the maps they received, they saw a huge area of ​​more than 1,000 settlements with a total area of ​​​​about 650 square miles (≈1,046 km). They were connected by several bridges.

Researchers noticedthat the people who once lived in these areas were quite densely packed. This discovery somewhat contradicts theories suggesting that early Mesoamerican settlements were generally sparsely populated.

The total length of the pavements connecting individual sections of the districts reached 110 miles (≈177 km), which allowed residents to relatively easily visit other settlements. The researchers note that the road network would even allow collective work.

Scientists have also found evidence of large platforms and pyramids that may have served as centralized centers for work, leisure, and politics. Some settlements also had playgrounds for ball games and various sports specific to the region.

This discovery sheds light on the people who have lived in the bustling cities of this wooded basin for over 1,000 years. Mayan archaeologist Richard Hansen hopes future research will continue to uncover secrets this ancient civilization and possibly discover new settlements that have remained hidden in the forests for many centuries.