PhD Student Uncovers Lost Maya City in Mexico Using Lidar Technology

The discovery of Valeriana, a previously unknown Maya city, highlights the potential of lidar technology in archaeology.

Valeriana, located in the dense forests of Campeche, Mexico, was identified through lidar scans revealing thousands of Maya structures.
Luke Auld-Thomas, a Tulane University PhD student, found the city using lidar data initially collected for environmental studies.
The city features classic Maya elements like pyramids, a ball court, and a reservoir, suggesting it was a significant political center.
Researchers identified 6,764 structures across Valeriana and surrounding areas, indicating a dense settlement pattern in the region.
The discovery underscores the interconnected nature of Maya cities and the role of lidar in transforming archaeological research.