Using laser-sensing technology, scientists discovered a long-lost civilization deep in the Amazon

For decades, the academic consensus has been that most ancient civilizations in the Amazon were fully or semi-nomadic

In recent years, though, archeologists have uncovered evidence suggesting the existence of ancient towns and cities in the jungle

Arguably the most prominent evidence of that was in Ecuador’s heavily forested eastern region

Decades ago, archaeologists discovered earthen mounds in eastern Ecuador, which they believed were built by ancient people

In recent years, an international team of researchers used laser-sensing technology to survey the area and generate a better picture of how the mounds relate to one another

The results, published in the journal Science, suggest an ancient city once thrived in the region

Researchers discovered 6,000+ earthen mounds, hypothesized to have supported residential and ceremonial buildings

The mounds were arranged into groups of three to six and were constructed around plazas

Connecting those clusters were straight, relatively wide roads that intersected at right angles

Scientists also discovered evidence of ditches and irrigation canals that were likely used to cultivate crops and/or channel excess water away from fields

Large ditches blocking entrances to settlements also suggested its inhabitants feared attack

Per the study, at its peak, the city could have supported between 10,000 and 30,000 people

It likely existed between 500 BC and 300 to 600 AD, the same lifespan as the Roman Empire, and its population was similar to that of London during the same time period

“There’s always been an incredible diversity of people and settlements in the Amazon, not only one way to live,” one of the study’s lead researchers said. “We’re just learning more about them”

You can read more stories like this in our app

Roca makes staying informed actually fun. Read more stories, solidify your learning with quizzes, play minigames, earn XP, level up, and climb leaderboards