Enormous Ancient City Discovered in the Amazon Jungle
Archaeologists have uncovered the remains of an immense ancient city hidden for thousands of years beneath the lush vegetation of the Amazon rainforest.
The find, located in the Upano area in eastern Ecuador, challenges existing perceptions about the history of human settlement in the Amazon and sheds light on a complex urban society that once thrived in the heart of the rainforest.
Ancient Amazonian Civilization Unearthed by Archaeologists
The city, dating back approximately 2,500 years and inhabited for up to 1,000 years, features houses and plazas connected by an elaborate network of roads and canals. The area, situated in the shadow of a volcano, boasts rich local soils but may have faced challenges leading to the eventual demise of the society.
Previously, it was believed that people in the Amazon lived nomadically or in small settlements. However, the newly revealed city suggests a more intricate picture of ancient Amazonian cultures.
Professor Stephen Rostain, the director of investigation at the National Centre for Scientific Research in France, who led the research, emphasizes the need to reassess our understanding of culture and civilization.
The archaeological team utilized LiDAR technology to survey a 300 sq km area, revealing 6,000 rectangular platforms arranged in groups around plazas with central platforms.
These platforms, measuring about 20m by 10m and 2-3m high, are believed to have served various purposes, from housing to ceremonial activities. The city’s inhabitants likely numbered in the tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands.
A sophisticated network of straight roads and paths, some extending over 25km, showcases the city’s advanced urban planning.
According to Dr. Antoine Dorison, co-author of the study, the road network is a remarkable feature, with right angles indicating a level of sophistication in construction.
Amazon’s Ancient Marvel
The research also identified causeways with ditches believed to be canals managing water in the region. Signs of potential threats, such as blocked entrances to settlements, suggest the city faced challenges from nearby populations.
The Amazon Ancient discovery, after 25 years of research, unveils a large and complex society, rivaling the well-known Mayan civilizations in Mexico and Central America.
José Iriarte, a professor of archaeology at the University of Exeter, notes the uniqueness of the findings for South America, emphasizing the need for further exploration in the adjoining 300 sq km area.
As researchers continue to unravel the mysteries of this ancient Amazonian civilization, the discovery marks a significant milestone in understanding the complexity and sophistication of human societies that once flourished in the heart of the rainforest.
