Ancient Urban Network Housing 30,000 People Discovered Hidden in Amazon Rainforest
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📰 The quick summary: Researchers discovered an extensive network of ancient settlements in the Amazon rainforest that housed up to 30,000 people over 2,500 years ago, proving the region supported complex urban societies long before European arrival.
📈 One key stat: The newly discovered urban network spans 300 square kilometers and contains at least 15 connected settlements with over 6,000 earthen platforms, revealing the largest known ancient urban system in Amazonia.
💬 One key quote: “A lost valley of cities,” describes Stéphen Rostain, the study’s lead author and director at France’s National Center for Scientific Research.
1️⃣ The big picture: Archaeologists have uncovered a vast network of ancient cities hidden beneath the Amazon rainforest canopy, challenging long-held beliefs that the region was too hostile for urban civilization. Using LIDAR technology, researchers mapped 300 square kilometers of forest floor, revealing at least 15 interconnected settlements with broad roadways, monumental buildings, and sophisticated agricultural systems. These communities, belonging to the Kilamope and Upano cultures, thrived for over 2,500 years beginning around 500 BCE. The discovery shows that between 10,000 and 30,000 people once lived in these settlements, comparable to Roman-era London in scale and complexity.
2️⃣ Why is this good news: This discovery completely transforms our understanding of human history in the Amazon, proving ancient inhabitants created complex, sustainable urban societies rather than just small scattered villages. The settlements feature impressive engineering achievements including 20-kilometer-long roads, carefully designed agricultural systems, and thousands of earthen platforms arranged in geometric patterns. Despite facing challenges from volcanic eruptions, these communities showed remarkable resilience, adapting and rebuilding over centuries. The findings highlight a dual heritage in the Amazon – both its natural biodiversity and its rich Indigenous history – offering valuable perspectives on how humans can live harmoniously within forest environments.
3️⃣ What’s next: Researchers will continue excavations to learn more about how these societies functioned and their environmental management techniques. The team hopes their work inspires further exploration throughout the Amazon basin, where more undiscovered settlements likely exist. Conservation efforts must now balance protecting both the rainforest’s ecological systems and its archaeological heritage.
Read the full story here: The Brighter Side of News – Researchers uncover ancient network of cities hidden in the Amazon rainforest
