In brief
The recently discovered Maya city, Valeriana, features typical structures of ancient civilization, including temple pyramids and public plazas. This find illustrates the extent of the Maya civilization that had remained concealed under dense foliage for centuries.
In the heart of the southern jungles of Campeche, Mexico, lies a newly discovered Maya city known as Valeriana, hidden until now by dense vegetation. Mere minutes away from the bustling highway yet cloaked in centuries of foliage, this site reveals the scope of the ancient Maya civilization.The discovery was made by researchers led by Marcello Canuto, an archaeologist at Tulane University, who accessed high-resolution aerial scans initially gathered for ecological research. “It’s humbling,” Canuto remarked, highlighting how easily vast historical sites can remain undiscovered just beyond the trees. Luke Auld-Thomas, a doctoral student at Tulane, expressed amazement over the site's features: “If you could design for a video game all of the classic features of a Maya city, they would look like this.” The site boasts temple pyramids, a complex palace, extensive public plazas, reservoirs, and a broad causeway connecting hilltop complexes. Furthermore, remnants of residential structures, cultivated terraces, and evidence of agricultural activities support the notion of a sophisticated city infrastructure.As archaeologists continue to investigate the hidden contours of Valeriana, it stands as a testament to the expansive landscape once vibrant with the life and culture of the ancient Maya civilization.
