Lost Mayan City Revealed by Lasers!

A hidden Mayan metropolis has been unearthed in the jungles of southern Mexico, not with shovels and trowels, but with lasers! This ancient city, dubbed Valeriana, was discovered in the state of Campeche using cutting-edge lidar technology.
Lidar, which stands for light detection and ranging, works by firing lasers from an aircraft to create a 3D map of the terrain below. This technology allowed researchers to peer through the dense jungle canopy and uncover the city’s secrets. What they found was astonishing: pyramids, plazas, a ball court, and even a reservoir – all the hallmarks of a major Mayan political center.
This discovery, led by anthropologist Luke Auld-Thomas of Northern Arizona University, is revolutionizing archaeology. Lidar is allowing researchers to explore vast areas quickly and efficiently, uncovering hidden settlements and rewriting history. Imagine, entire cities lost to time, now brought to light with the flick of a laser switch!
Valeriana is believed to have been founded before 150 AD. Its discovery offers a tantalizing glimpse into the lives of the ancient Maya and the complex civilization they built. Who were the rulers of this city? What ceremonies were held in its plazas? What secrets do its pyramids hold? These are just some of the questions archaeologists will be eager to answer in the years to come.
This is just the beginning. With lidar, who knows what other lost cities are waiting to be found? The jungle, once an impenetrable barrier, is now yielding its secrets, thanks to the power of technology.
Read the whole story – A Lost Mayan City Has Been Found With Laser Mapping – Wired.com