PhD Student Stumbles Upon Ancient Mayan City Valeriana in Mexico Jungle

The newly discovered city, Valeriana, found in the Campeche jungle, challenges misconceptions about Mayan civilization complexity and reveals insights into the region's historical landscape.

A chance discovery by a PhD student has led to the unearthing of an ancient Mayan city, named Valeriana, nestled within the dense jungle of southeastern Mexico. Utilizing Lidar technology, which employs laser mapping to uncover structures hidden beneath foliage, archaeologists have revealed a sprawling city that showcases significant urban development, including pyramids, sports fields, and extensive causeways.

Luke Auld-Thomas, a PhD student from Tulane University, stumbled upon the Lidar survey while browsing through online data. After processing the findings, he identified what he believes to be a lost city that likely supported a population of 30,000 to 50,000 at its zenith from 750 to 850 AD. The researchers emphasize that this population exceeds that of the current residents in the area.

Valeriana stands out as a monumental finding, characterized by its architectural density, second only to the renowned Calakmul site located approximately 100 kilometers away. The city's name, inspired by a nearby lagoon, reflects the environment in which it thrived. This discovery reshapes Western perceptions of the tropical regions as mere remnants of past civilizations; researchers like Professor Marcello Canuto argue it highlights vibrant cultures that once flourished there.

While the reasons for Valeriana's eventual decline remain unclear, climate change is suggested to have played a significant role, alongside social upheavals such as warfare and colonization. Although pictures of Valeriana do not currently exist, the landscape suggests an intricately settled area with evidence of reservoirs and a rich mosaic of religious and social rituals.

The discovery of Valeriana comes amid a growing recognition of how Lidar technology has revolutionized archaeological practices. Previously, researchers conducted exhaustive ground surveys with limited output; however, Lidar has broadened the scope of exploration significantly.

Current scholars believe many more undiscovered cities may exist in the region, further emphasizing the untapped potential to expand our understanding of ancient Maya civilization. Mr. Auld-Thomas expressed excitement over the possibility of visiting Valeriana, though he acknowledges the challenges in systematically studying the numerous newly identified sites.

The findings, published in the journal Antiquity, encapsulate a crucial chapter in the exploration of Mesoamerican history, underscoring the complexity and richness of the Maya landscape.