Imagine the scenario: an archeology student, with a simple glance at Google, discovers a fascinating report on a lost Mayan city in the heart of the Mexican jungle. This mysterious place, named “Valeriana”, extends over approximately 16.6 square kilometers and would have sheltered between 30,000 and 50,000 inhabitants at its peak between the years 750 and 850. Thanks to advanced technology LiDAR, capable of breaking through dense vegetation, this forgotten civilization resurfaces, revealing impressive structures such as pyramids and playing fields. A discovery that reminds everyone of the incredible potential of modern research in archeology!
Who knew a simple Google search could lead to such an incredible discovery? This is precisely what happened to Luke Auld-Thomas, a doctoral student in archaeology. By searching data available online, he uncovered the existence of an immense Mayan city, named Valeriana, which was completely lost under the Mexican jungle. This city, little known until now, allows researchers to better understand ancient civilizations and fill several gaps in our knowledge of Mayan history.
Modern technologies at the service of archeology
Ancient civilizations continue to arouse everyone’s curiosity. Whether out of personal passion or academically, many people look to archeology to explore lost cultures. Thanks to the modern technology, these explorers now have access to tools that revolutionize the way they work. For example, apps like Google Earth and remote sensing systems such as LiDAR allow you to see what is hidden under the dense vegetation of the jungles.
Luke Auld-Thomas used these digital tools to make his spectacular discovery of Valeriana. This is the first time that images of this site have been brought to light thanks to LiDAR, which made it possible to detect structures buried under the trees, thus making visible a history forgotten for centuries.
A Forgotten Mayan City Revealed
The city of Valeriana, located in the state of Campeche, extends over approximately 16.6 km². Here, archaeologists estimate that at its peak, between 750 and 850 BCE, this city could have housed between 30,000 and 50,000 inhabitants. This is surprising, especially considering that the existence of this city was completely unknown before Luke’s discovery.
The ruins discovered highlight urban centers, dwellings, roadways, as well as pyramids. But that’s not all! There is also a huge playing field, all with an impressive total of 6,764 structures. With each new revelation, the scale of the life and activities that took place there becomes more and more fascinating.
A discovery that challenges our knowledge
The discovery of Valeriana could well redefine our understanding of civilizations Mayan too often reduced to a few emblematic sites like Chichén Itzá. This addition to our historical landscape questions established theories about the evolution and collapse of Mayan societies. Researchers suggest that population density played a crucial role in the collapse of these civilizations starting around AD 800, but Valeriana opens the door to new perspectives to better understand this phenomenon.
In addition, this discovery also reminds us of the importance of archeology in the rediscovery of our common past and the way in which simple tools accessible to all can, by happy coincidence, shed light on forgotten parts of history. human.
Let’s meet Valeriana
While waiting for new excavations to be carried out, Valeriana presents itself as a real gem for archaeologists and history enthusiasts. The idea that this city, larger than Edinburgh, could have been erased from collective memory for so many years is deeply intriguing. It also raises a crucial question: what other treasures may still be buried beneath the jungle?
For those interested in learning more about this fascinating discovery, there are resources like BBC who report this incredible adventure and the implications of this find for the history of Mayan civilization.
You can also check out other articles I’ve discovered on the subject, like this one on le Figaro or on Slate.
Discovery of the Mayan city “Valeriana”
- Unexpected Search: A student discovers information online by chance.
- Modern technology: Use of satellite data for archaeological research.
- Name of the city: The city was named “Valeriana”.
- Location: Located in the state of Campeche, Mexico.
- Area: Covers approximately 16.6 km².
- Estimated population: Between 30,000 and 50,000 inhabitants at its peak.
- Era: City active between the years 750 and 850 AD.
- Structures revealed: Includes pyramids, dwellings and a playground.
- LiDAR technology: Discovery made possible thanks to this laser remote sensing.
- Mysteries of ancient civilizations: This discovery raises new questions about the Maya.
