A huge Mayan city has been discovered centuries after it disappeared under jungle canopy in Mexico.

Archaeologists found pyramids, sports fields, causeways connecting districts and amphitheatres in the southeastern state of Campeche.

They found the hidden complex - which they have called Valeriana - using Lidar, a type of radar survey that maps structures buried under vegetation.

They believe it is second in size only to Calakmul, thought to be the largest Mayan site in ancient Latin America.

  • CanadaPlus@lemmy.sdf.org
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    5
    ·
    7 days ago

    I guess the argument is that the lidar scan was for something else? And, of course, it makes a better headline.

    • Pennomi@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      3
      ·
      7 days ago

      Yeah the lidar scan was done for other reasons, but this researcher was specifically looking for lidar data to scour through.

      You’re right though, this is a much catchier headline.