Archaeologists Discover Extensive Network of Ancient Amazonian Cities
Archaeologists working in the Amazon rainforest have made an incredible discovery. An extensive network of cities dating back 2,500 years has been found in the Upano Valley, in the Ecuadorian Amazon. The findings, published in Science magazine, reveal the oldest and most extensive urban network in the Amazon to date.
The discovery was made possible by a remote sensing method called lidar (laser object detection and measurement system). The technology uncovered more than 6,000 platforms, rectangular or circular, built around squares in groups of three or six. According to the lead author of the study, Stéphen Rostain, these platforms and plazas were organized around low, square plazas, and also revealed the existence of monumental complexes with larger platforms, likely for civic or ceremonial purposes.
The lidar technology also revealed a network of large, straight roads with curbs that connected the settlements. Furthermore, features of land cultivation, such as drainage fields and terraces, were found in the empty areas between the complexes, connected to a network of trails. Rostain described these settlements as “garden cities,” challenging the previous notion of the Amazon as a pristine jungle.
Other experts have compared this discovery to similar sites found throughout the American continent, noting the advanced urban planning techniques observed in the Amazon. This discovery not only sheds light on the cultural and environmental legacy of indigenous societies in the Amazon, but also provides new perspectives on the complexities of these primitive societies.
The findings of this study and the use of lidar technology highlight the advanced engineering and urban planning techniques of pre-Hispanic communities. This discovery is a major step forward in understanding the history and culture of the Amazon rainforest.