LiDAR technology reveals the mysterious Amazon civilization

In the heart of the lush Amazon rainforest, archaeologists use LiDAR technology to reveal the amazing remains of a past civilization, and these discoveries have overturned previous understandings of human activities in the region. With revolutionary airborne LiDAR, the history of the Amazon rainforest has been recreated, challenging traditional assumptions about how humans survived and developed in this lush jungle.

First, LiDAR, as a light detection and ranging technology, has completely changed the way archaeologists observe hidden terrain. The technology emits laser pulses from aircraft or drones to generate accurate three-dimensional terrain maps, revealing areas that were once covered by dense vegetation. Although the concept of this technology appeared more than half a century ago, recent advances have made it cheaper, more compact, and easier to operate. Mark Robinson, an associate professor at the University of Exeter, said that even without a background in physics or science, he can still use LiDAR systems proficiently. His research has revealed ancient buildings buried deep in the jungle, breaking through the limitation that the sites were difficult to discover due to vegetation obstruction.

Second, LiDAR is unique in that it can "see through" the forest canopy, thereby minimizing environmental damage. Unlike traditional archaeological methods, this technique does not require clearing vegetation, but uses millions of laser pulses to penetrate the leaves and reach the ground. When scientists process the data in the lab, they can remove the vegetation layer to accurately reveal hidden roads, canals, and even complete settlements. This method shows that the Amazon region is far more advanced than old theories assume, and the scale and complexity of human activities are beyond the general academic community.

In addition, lidar scans conducted over the Upano Valley revealed thousands of mounds and complex networks of roads and terraces, far exceeding the hundreds of sites discovered by scientists when they surveyed on foot. The use of lidar has made these ancient landscapes buried by forests appear to the world for the first time, which has completely changed people's understanding of Amazon civilization. Through this technology, archaeologists can outline how early inhabitants established a large social system in this harsh environment and explore their survival strategies.

Finally, lidar studies show that the Amazon basin and surrounding areas once nurtured a large and highly organized society and built a complex infrastructure. Long believed to be limited by dense rainforests, lidar discoveries have overturned this assumption, showing how ancient residents improved irrigation systems, developed agricultural models, and optimized urban layouts to enable communities to thrive in harsh environments. From towering mounds to hidden roads, each 3D scan reveals the wisdom and adaptability of humans in areas that were considered uninhabitable.

In summary, future archaeological excavations will combine multiple technical means, using lidar combined with cutting-edge laboratory analysis methods to further reconstruct the daily lives of these long-hidden ancient societies. Researchers look forward to deepening their understanding of the diet, trade networks, and belief systems of the ancient inhabitants of the Amazon. Each new discovery will reshape the historical record while showing how humans adapted to and conquered extreme environments. As technology continues to advance, more dusty history will surface with the help of lidar, adding new chapters to humanity's shared past.