Ancient Maya City Unearthed in Mexico Using Laser Mapping

Researchers have discovered Valeriana, a massive Maya city in Campeche, hidden beneath dense forest for centuries.

Over 6,500 pre-Hispanic structures, including pyramids and residential buildings, were identified in the newly discovered city of Valeriana.
The discovery was made possible through LiDAR technology, which uses laser pulses to create detailed 3D models of the landscape.
Valeriana is believed to have been a densely populated urban center, with a peak population potentially reaching 50,000 people between 750 and 850 CE.
The site includes significant Maya infrastructure such as temple pyramids, a ball court, and a reservoir, indicating its role as a political capital.
This finding challenges previous assumptions about the Maya Lowlands, revealing a more complex and varied ancient landscape than previously understood.