Dana Taylor reports on an astonishing archaeological discovery in Mexico. A PhD student uncovered an ancient city hidden under jungle foliage using innovative lidar technology.

Discovering Valeriana: A Lost Mayan City

The archaeological discovery of Valeriana has shed light on a previously hidden Mayan civilization. This city, now located in southern Mexico, existed during its peak around 750 to 850 AD. By employing advanced lidar technology, researchers have mapped an extensive area revealing urban structures and agricultural layouts that illustrate a vibrant community's life.

The Role of Lidar Technology in Uncovering History

Lidar technology played a crucial role in this discovery, allowing archaeologists to penetrate dense foliage and map ancient terrains accurately. The method utilizes laser pulses to gather crucial data on ground surfaces, making it possible to identify structures buried by vegetation. This innovative approach has opened up new avenues for archaeological exploration, emphasizing the importance of technological advancements in understanding historical contexts.

Collaboration and Validation in Archaeological Research

Collaboration is key to validating discoveries such as Valeriana. By working alongside established institutions and experts, archaeologists can confirm the legitimacy of their findings. The partnership with Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History ensured that this lost city was properly documented, allowing a well-rounded perspective on its significance and laying the groundwork for future explorations.

In a groundbreaking revelation, Dana Taylor, a PhD student in archaeology, has made a remarkable discovery of an ancient lost city in southern Mexico. The city, named Valeriana, was hidden beneath a thick jungle canopy for centuries, only coming to light through a combination of advanced technology and dedicated research. Utilizing lidar, a laser-based technology for terrain mapping, Taylor and her colleagues identified this significant settlement which had evaded detection due to the dense vegetation. This incredible find raises questions about other unexamined areas that may also hold remnants of ancient civilizations. Taylor’s discovery highlights the potential that lies within remote sensing technology for unearthing historical sites that have been overlooked for years. During an interview, doctoral student Luke Old Thomas shared his experience of stumbling upon this lost city. Thomas explained how he initially sought to explore existing datasets of aerial lidar technology that had previously been utilized to monitor forests. By searching for freely available lidar data online, he came across information published in 2013 by environmental scientists. This data set was seminal, as it laid the groundwork for uncovering the neglected archaeological site of Valeriana. The accessibility of lidar, along with the wealth of data available from various scientific projects, presents an exciting frontier for archaeologists and scientists alike to explore historic landscapes that remain obscured. The validation process unveiled that the site had been known locals who had farmed the land for generations; however, it had never been appropriately documented within the scientific community. Collaborating with colleagues in Mexico, Thomas was able to confirm that the site had not been recorded on official registries. Through detailed research, it was revealed that although some structures had been observed in the past, including family compounds, the scope of the city remained largely unknown, as investigators had failed to recognize the extensive urban layout connected to these initial findings. Valeriana provides valuable insight into a flourishing Mayan city that thrived during the late classic period, potentially housing thousands during its peak a millennium ago.