An ancient civilization, previously thought to have vanished without a trace, has been identified in the Amazon through aerial surveys, shedding new light on the history of human settlement in the region. In Ecuador’s Upano region, researchers discovered a sophisticated network of roads and canals linking various structures within the dense rainforest.
Contrary to previous beliefs that the Amazon was sparsely inhabited, the findings challenge this notion, suggesting that sizable communities once thrived in the heart of the rainforest. Archaeologists estimate that the city dates back between 3,000 and 1,500 years ago and may have housed tens of thousands of people, though the fate of this civilization remains a mystery.
Led by France’s National Centre for Scientific Research, the discovery was made possible through advancements in Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) technology, which provided detailed aerial scans of the terrain. This technology, hailed as a breakthrough, has enabled researchers to uncover hidden settlements and revolutionize archaeological research in the Amazon.
In Bolivia, similar LIDAR surveys revealed 26 settlements, including 11 previously unknown ones, showcasing the vast potential of this technology. In the case of the Ecuadorian discovery, approximately 6,000 raised platforms, believed to be remnants of buildings and residences, were identified across a 300 square kilometer area. Additionally, evidence of canal systems for drainage and extensive road networks, some stretching over 25 kilometers, were unearthed.
Remarkably, the roads were meticulously constructed, dug five meters deep into the ground to maintain straight paths rather than conforming to the natural contours of the land. Excavations also uncovered defensive structures and ditches, suggesting possible conflicts or tensions between neighboring settlements.
