Ancient Maya City Discovered in Mexico

A massive ancient Maya city has been discovered deep in the jungle of Campeche, Mexico, thanks to a cutting-edge technology called lidar. This remote sensing method uses lasers to map the land from above, revealing hidden structures beneath the thick forest. The city, named Valeriana, contains impressive features such as temple pyramids, plazas, a ballcourt, and a reservoir. Researchers believe it was an important political center for the Maya civilization, dating back to around 150 AD. The discovery was made after anthropologist Luke Auld-Thomas and his team analyzed lidar data from a forest survey. This new technology allowed them to uncover a large city previously unknown to archaeologists. The finding shows that much of the ancient Maya world still remains hidden, offering exciting possibilities for future discoveries and a deeper understanding of ancient urban life.