Ancient Lost Maya City Discovered in Mexican Jungle

Discovery of a Lost Mayan City

Archaeologists have uncovered a lost ancient Mayan city named Valeriana in the dense jungles of Mexico. This site includes pyramids, athletic fields, connecting pathways, and an amphitheater located in Campeche, in southeastern Mexico.

The discovery was made using Lidar technology. This method uses lasers to survey hidden structures beneath vegetation. Researchers believe that Valeriana has a building density second only to Calakmul, which is regarded as the largest ancient Mayan site in Latin America.

The archaeological team identified three sites, each the size of Edinburgh, Scotland. The discovery was somewhat accidental when Luke Auld-Thomas, a PhD student in archaeology at Tulane University, explored environmental survey data online.

The Lidar survey allowed Auld-Thomas to see large urban areas that were previously overlooked, suggesting that Valeriana was home to approximately 30,000 to 50,000 people between the years 750 and 850. This population size surpasses the current residents in that region, indicating a historically rich area.

The researchers named the city after Laguna Valeriana, located nearby. This finding challenges previous Western beliefs that tropical regions were devoid of advanced civilizations. Instead, it showcases the area as a home to vibrant and complex cultures.

Valeriana exhibits characteristics typical of a capital city and ranks second in building density after Calakmul, which is only about 100 kilometers away. Despite its proximity to Xpujil, now a modern settlement for some Mayans, the site has remained undiscovered until now.

Currently, there are no photos of this lost city as it has not been visited yet. Local inhabitants may suspect that ruins exist beneath the mounds they inhabit. This significant finding marks a new chapter in understanding ancient Mayan civilization and its historical impact.