Hidden within the lush greenery of the Amazon rainforest in Ecuador, a vast city has been unearthed, as reported by the BBC. Situated in the Upano valley, the ancient city features interconnected houses and plazas linked by a sophisticated network of roads and canals. The discovery made possible through LiDAR technology—a remote sensing method utilizing light to measure distances—revealed more than 6,000 raised earthen platforms within a 300-square-kilometer area, indicating the presence of wooden structures that once stood there.
The city, estimated to be between 3,000 and 1,500 years old, challenges Eurocentric views of civilization, highlighting the existence of complex urban societies in the heart of the Amazon.
According to Professor Stephen Rostain, director of investigation at the National Centre for Scientific Research in France, who led the research, this finding alters our perception of Amazonian cultures, showcasing that ancient people lived in intricate urban settings rather than the commonly depicted small, primitive groups.
Co-author Antoine Dorison emphasized that the city's longevity, with inhabitants residing there for up to 1,000 years, signifies a remarkable chapter in Amazonian history. The detailed LiDAR survey, conducted in 2015, underscores the significance of this ancient city and its role in reshaping our understanding of pre-Columbian civilizations in the Amazon rainforest.
Comments
Post a Comment