Using airborne laser scanning technology called LiDAR, archaeologists have uncovered evidence of extensive urban settlements hidden beneath the dense Amazon canopyâsettlements that challenge our understanding of pre-Columbian civilizations.
What LiDAR Revealed
The technology works by firing laser pulses at the ground and measuring their return. It can penetrate thick vegetation to create detailed 3D maps of the terrain below. In the Amazon, these scans have revealed roads, plazas, pyramids, and agricultural systems covering thousands of square kilometers.
Rewriting History
These discoveries suggest the Amazon supported far larger populations than previously believedâpossibly millions of people living in interconnected urban centers. The sophisticated water management and farming systems indicate advanced engineering knowledge.
Many sites remain unexcavated, and researchers believe we've only scratched the surface of what lies hidden beneath the rainforest.
This article was generated by AI to provide informational content.