LIDAR technology has revolutionized archaeology, allowing the study of difficult-to-access areas like mountains, deserts, and rainforests. In a recent study of the Campeche region in Mexico, archaeologists discovered large-scale settlements, buildings, and possible pyramids that had been lost over time.
Using LIDAR, researchers can map an area by sending a laser to a surface and measuring the distance based on the reflection. This method has helped uncover the activities of the Mayans in Campeche, an area that was previously a blank slate in terms of Mayan activity. A 2013 study collected high-quality LIDAR data from the Alianza area, revealing insights into ancient Mayan settlements.
Block 1, located south and east of the Río Bec archaeological site, showed evidence of a settlement with paired pseudo-pyramidal architectural style. Block 2 lies above the epicenter of a previously unknown major urban area called Valeriana, which includes two monumental complexes connected by continuous and dense settlement and landscape architecture.
The discovery of Valeriana highlights the gaps in our knowledge of Mayan settlements and building complexes. Overall, the use of LIDAR technology in archaeology has revealed a more crowded and vibrant ancient world with dense urban or near-urban settlements than previously thought.
