A newly discovered Mayan city, which had been obscured by the thick jungle of southern Mexico for centuries, has been identified through the efforts of a PhD student working remotely. The settlement, named Valeriana due to its proximity to a nearby freshwater lagoon, exhibits the hallmarks of a typical Maya political capital. These features include enclosed plazas, pyramids, a ball court, a reservoir, and an architectural plan indicating origins predating 150 AD. This information is outlined in a recently published study in the journal Antiquity.
Luke Auld-Thomas, a graduate student from Tulane University, uncovered the site utilizing lidar technology. Unlike traditional archaeology, which depends on direct observation, lidar uses laser technology to detect and analyze sites concealed beneath dense vegetation or urban structures. This technological advance has transformed archaeological methods.
In a historical context, in 1848, Modesto Méndez, then governor of Petén, Guatemala, and artist Ambrosio Tut rediscovered Tikal, an impressive archaeological site of the Mayan civilization. During the mid-19th century, limited information was available about these advanced peoples who developed complex calendars and hieroglyphic writing. Despite the challenging terrain of Tikal’s surrounding rainforest, with no roads, the Guatemalan government pursued its cultural legacy by exploring the jungle armed with rudimentary tools.
Upon reaching Tikal, Méndez and his team were struck by towering temples and pyramids, largely concealed by the jungle, yet visibly impressive above the tree canopy. These structures hinted at Tikal’s vast scale and preserved grandeur despite being partially buried.
Fast forward to 2024, history repeated itself with notable differences. Auld-Thomas conducted his exploration using modern search technology rather than traditional tools. In discussions with WIRED, he and Marcello Canuto, director of Tulane’s Middle American Research Institute, elaborated on this significant discovery.
