Mayans

You’re up late again, staring at the soft glow of your laptop screen, the world outside silent except for the occasional hum of a passing car. Your eyes trace the familiar shapes of the jungle, a mess of tangled green stretching for miles until something stops you. A formation that doesn’t belong. Not a river, not a mountain, not the organic chaos of nature. It’s geometric, structured, like the ghost of a lost civilisation whispering through pixels.

Maybe it’s a glitch, just an odd trick of light and resolution. Or maybe, against all odds, you’ve found something extraordinary.

This is how Valeriana, a lost Maya city hidden beneath the dense Mexican jungle, was discovered. Not by a seasoned explorer hacking through vines with a machete, but by a PhD student who wasn’t even looking for it. Because sometimes, history doesn’t reveal itself to those who seek it. Sometimes, it just waits to be found.

The Accidental Discovery: A Digital Expedition Leads to Ancient Ruins

In October 2024, Luke Auld-Thomas, a doctoral candidate from Tulane University, was analyzing lidar data, light detection and ranging technology that uses laser pulses to create detailed topographical maps, originally collected for ecological studies. His focus was on environmental changes, but an unexpected pattern caught his eye: the unmistakable outlines of an ancient urban landscape hidden beneath the dense canopy of Campeche's jungles in southeastern Mexico. Lidar technology has revolutionized archaeology by allowing researchers to "see" through vegetation, revealing structures that would otherwise remain concealed. In this instance, the data unveiled a sprawling cityscape covering approximately 47 square miles, with over 6,500 structures, including plazas, pyramids, and a ballgame court. The site's layout and architectural features indicated it was a significant Maya political capital, thriving between 750 and 850 AD.

Valeriana: A Glimpse into a Forgotten Civilisation

The city's discovery was monumental, not just for its size but for what it represented, a highly organized and complex society that had been lost to time. The architectural features, such as the "E-Group assemblage," suggest that Valeriana's origins date back to before 150 AD, with its peak during the Classic period of Maya civilisation. The density of building clusters is second only to Calakmul, another major Maya city, leading researchers to estimate a population between 30,000 and 50,000 inhabitants during its zenith.

The presence of temple pyramids, enclosed plazas, and a dammed reservoir indicates advanced urban planning and a deep understanding of engineering and resource management. These findings challenge previous assumptions about the Maya civilisation, suggesting that their urban centers were more widespread and densely populated than previously thought.

The Role of Technology in Uncovering the Past

The discovery of Valeriana underscores the transformative power of modern technology in archaeology. Lidar, initially developed for ecological and geological surveys, has become an invaluable tool for uncovering hidden archaeological sites. By analyzing existing lidar data from a 2013 forest monitoring project by The Nature Conservancy, researchers were able to identify the city's remnants without setting foot in the dense jungle. 

This approach not only saves time and resources but also minimizes the environmental impact of exploratory missions. It allows archaeologists to prioritize areas for excavation, leading to more targeted and efficient research. The success of this methodology in uncovering Valeriana opens the door to re-examining other regions where ancient civilizations may still lie hidden beneath the forest canopy.

How Did Ancient Civilisations Build Valeriana?

The construction of Valeriana was a testament to the ingenuity and resourcefulness of the Maya civilisation. Unlike modern urban development, which relies on heavy machinery and industrial materials, the Maya built their cities using human labor, stone tools , and a profound understanding of their environment. They adapted to the dense jungle and uneven limestone terrain of the Yucatán Peninsula, working with the natural landscape rather than against it. By constructing terraces, elevated platforms, and retaining walls, they ensured that their structures remained stable over centuries. Local limestone was quarried and shaped into blocks, forming the foundations of pyramids, plazas, and temples.

One of the most remarkable features of Maya construction was their innovative architectural techniques. They employed corbel vaulting, a method of stacking stones in a stepped manner to create ceilings without the need for true arches. Many buildings were coated in stucco and painted in vibrant hues, signifying religious and political significance. Their cities were built in phases, with older structures expanded upon rather than demolished, showcasing a long-term, sustainable approach to urban development. The integration of astronomical alignments in their architectural planning further highlights their advanced knowledge of celestial movements and their influence on urban design.

Key Features That Demonstrate Advanced Technology

Despite the absence of metal tools, draft animals, or wheels for construction, the Maya engineered cities that rivaled their contemporaries in complexity and efficiency. One of the most sophisticated aspects of Valeriana was its hydraulic engineering. The inhabitants built extensive reservoirs to collect and store rainwater, a crucial adaptation in a region lacking natural rivers. Some reservoirs contained layers of sand and limestone, acting as filtration systems to purify drinking water, demonstrating an early understanding of water management and sanitation.

Astronomy played a significant role in the architectural layout of the city. The presence of an "E-Group assemblage," a type of ceremonial structure aligned with the sun's position during solstices and equinoxes, suggests that the Maya carefully designed their temples and observatories to track celestial movements. Their understanding of planetary cycles allowed them to develop one of the most precise calendar systems in the ancient world.

Urban planning in Valeriana also reflects a high degree of organization. The city was connected by an extensive network of raised limestone roads, known as sacbeob, which facilitated trade and communication with neighboring settlements. The deliberate placement of administrative centers, residential areas, and ceremonial plazas suggests that Maya cities were not built haphazardly but followed a structured plan to optimize space and functionality.

What Technology or Wisdom Did They Possess That We Have Forgotten?

Many aspects of Maya knowledge and technology remain relevant today, particularly their approaches to sustainability and environmental adaptation. Unlike modern large-scale agriculture, which often depletes soil nutrients, the Maya practiced a rotational system known as milpa farming, in which maize, beans, and squash were grown together to maintain soil fertility. They also built raised fields and irrigation canals, which maximized agricultural productivity while conserving water. Recent studies suggest that some of these techniques could help address modern food security challenges.

The Maya also mastered eco-friendly architecture, designing their buildings to naturally regulate temperature. Thick limestone walls kept interiors cool, while open courtyards facilitated airflow. Some structures were positioned to optimize sunlight and shade, reducing the need for artificial climate control. These principles align with modern sustainable design strategies that emphasize passive cooling and energy efficiency.

Their knowledge of medicinal plants was equally impressive. The Maya used a wide variety of herbs to treat infections, pain, and even surgical wounds. Many of these botanical remedies are still being studied by ethnobotanists today for their potential pharmaceutical applications.

Perhaps one of their most sophisticated achievements was their mathematical and astronomical precision. The Maya developed a vigesimal (base-20) numbering system, allowing them to perform complex calculations with remarkable accuracy. Their calendar system, which incorporated both a 260-day ritual cycle and a 365-day solar cycle, was more precise than the Gregorian calendar used today. They also tracked planetary movements, particularly Venus, which played a crucial role in their religious and agricultural practices.

Embracing the Unexpected in the Quest for Knowledge

The accidental discovery of the lost Maya city of Valeriana by a diligent PhD student exemplifies the unpredictable nature of exploration and research. It underscores the importance of remaining open to unexpected findings and the potential of modern technology to unveil the mysteries of our past.

As we continue to develop new tools and methodologies, we must also cultivate a mindset that embraces serendipity, recognizing that some of the most profound discoveries occur when we least expect them. Valeriana's unearthing not only enriches our understanding of the Maya civilization but also inspires a renewed.

What other secrets lie beneath our feet, concealed by time and nature, awaiting the curious minds that will bring them to light?