by Jacob VanGundy | Published
A new underground city of Mayors has been discovered in Mexico, on the Yucatán Peninsula. Archaeologists believe that this large city was a political capital based on the presence of large, public buildings similar to other large cities in the area. The discovery was made possible by new laser survey technology and archival research from Luke Auld-Thomas and his team, who discovered the site.
Valerian City
Auld-Thomas named the Mayan city of Valeriana after a nearby harbor and published his findings Age. Valeriana was a large urban area, with thousands of buildings scattered throughout the area, including large buildings. It is dated to the classical period, built between 250 and 900 AD
Large, public buildings are important, indicating that the city of Meya was probably a political capital. Covered plazas, temples, and football stadiums all exist and are often considered symbols of the region’s political capital. The pyramid temples are remarkably similar in construction to others in the area, such as Chichén Itzá.
Discovering the Ancient City
Valeriana was discovered thanks to laser research, or LiDAR. This new technology sends laser pulses into the ground to create maps of the subsurface, and is used in a variety of fields. Those surveys revealed ancient Mayan city structures underground beneath modern infrastructure and farms.
Auld-Thomas and his team did not conduct the laser survey themselves, instead compiling records from various surveys conducted by various agencies to find signs of the Mayan city. The critical survey came from a Forest Service survey created to monitor carbon levels in nearby forests. Once they knew where to look, Auld-Thomas and his team were able to find Valeriana.
The location of Valeriana also makes the discovery of a Mayan city noteworthy. It is located in East-Central Campeche, and is the first such site to be discovered in that region, expanding the scope of the ancient civilization that once ruled the region. Finding a large city, with many indications of political importance means that Valerianna was not only a vigilante force but a sign that the region was firmly under their control.
As laser research has become more common, it has revealed many previously undiscovered ancient ruins, the Mayan city being the latest example. These new sites help illuminate ancient civilizations, challenging beliefs about their scope, geographic diversity, and complexity.
The discovery also proves that there is still much to be discovered about the ancient world, with a full urban area remaining secret for centuries underground.
Much Is Still a Mystery
Since the city of Meya is still buried, the details of its architecture and history are not well known. However, its discovery may lead to excavation sites for artifacts and human remains, which can be incredibly informative. It will also make historians rethink the details of the ancient world of North America.
New technologies have led to an explosion of archaeological discoveries in recent years, with the secret Mayan city a prime example. These discoveries help us understand ancient people and often have a negative impact on other social sciences. Valeriana is a great discovery and is sure to have educational implications for years to come.
Source: Antiquity
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