The new discovery, recently published in the journal Antiquity, challenges previous assumptions that many areas between known Maya sites were sparsely populated. The LiDAR technology, which uses thousands of laser pulses from aircraft to detect minute changes in terrain hidden by vegetation, revealed an area spanning nearly 47 square miles (122 square kilometers) with approximately 6,479 structures.
Discovering an Urban Landscape in the Ancient Maya World
“Prior research showed that much of modern-day Campeche was transformed by its ancient inhabitants,” shared co-author Adriana Velázquez Morlet of Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History. “Now, this study suggests that what was once thought of as an underexplored region was actually a highly urbanized landscape.”
Utilizing data from a 2013 LiDAR survey initially conducted to measure deforestation, researchers used software to review the data again. The study identified temple platforms, ceremonial ball courts, residential terraces, agricultural fields, and what appears to be a dam—all thought to have been built between AD 250 and 900, with potential settlement as early as AD 150. These findings underscore the extensive landscape modifications ancient Maya civilizations implemented, likely to support a large population.
New Stories About the Maya Civilization
Marcello Canuto, a Tulane University professor involved in the project, expressed the potential of this discovery for reconstructing Maya life in unprecedented detail. “This broader dataset allows us to tell better stories about the ancient Maya—going beyond the political and religious histories we already know,” he explained, “to understand more about population density, conflicts, governance, and trade practices.”
LiDAR Imaging and Ancient Maya Life
With LiDAR revealing these long-lost structures, this technology has proven invaluable in painting a picture of ancient Maya civilization. However, the team notes that while LiDAR is powerful, on-ground research is essential to confirm certain features. Some natural rock formations, known locally as chich, were previously mistaken for man-made mounds. “This recalculation shows the importance of field verification in supporting our estimates of Maya civilization density,” added Susan D. Gillespie, a University of Florida anthropology professor.
Shedding Light on Maya Urbanization and Population Density
As LiDAR imaging technology continues to map these hidden areas, researchers can piece together stories of bustling Maya cities that were once home to a large population—complete with temples, ball courts, and complex social structures.
