LiDAR Unveils Hidden Maya City 'Valeriana' in Mexico

Researchers discover over 6,600 ancient structures in Campeche, revealing a densely populated Maya civilization.

Valeriana, a newly discovered Maya city, features grand pyramids, plazas, and a reservoir, indicating its role as a political capital.
LiDAR technology allowed archaeologists to map the dense jungle without physical excavation, uncovering a vast network of settlements.
The discovery challenges previous assumptions, suggesting a more urbanized and populous Maya civilization than previously thought.
The study was led by Luke Auld-Thomas from Northern Arizona University and highlights the potential of LiDAR in archaeological research.
This finding underscores the existence of significant gaps in our understanding of the Maya Lowlands, with more discoveries likely under the forest canopy.