Lost cities found in Amazon Rainforest
In a groundbreaking discovery, a colossal ancient city has emerged from the dense vegetation of the Upano area in eastern Ecuador. The findings, published in the journal Science, signify a shift in our understanding of the history of Amazonian civilizations.
For centuries, the vegetation concealed an ancient metropolis, challenging the belief that people in the Amazon lived nomadically or in tiny settlements. Unraveling this, archaeologists using light detection and ranging (LiDAR) technology discovered a colossal urban network that connected houses and plazas through a sophisticated network of roads and canals.
Photo Credit: Antoine Dorison and Stéphen Rostain
The Upano area, located by a nearby volcano that enriched local soils, reveals a complex society dating back 2,500 years. Prof Stéphen Rostain, leading the research at the National Centre for Scientific Research in France, emphasizes the need to challenge preconceived notions, stating, "This is older than any other site we know in the Amazon."
Archaeologists employed LiDAR technology to unveil 6,000 rectangular platforms, arranged in groups around plazas with central platforms. Ranging in size, these structures served various purposes, from ceremonial to residential. Notably, the Kilamope complex included a 140m by 40m platform, showcasing the architectural prowess of the ancient society.
The most striking revelation lies in the extensive road system, demonstrating advanced engineering with straight roads extending over 25km. Dr. Antoine Dorison, co-author of the study, highlights the sophistication of the road network, suggesting a potential link to ceremonies or beliefs.
While the exact population remains uncertain, scientists estimate tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of inhabitants over the city's 1,000-year existence. The society's well-organized and interconnected nature challenges the scale of known civilizations, even surpassing the Mayan societies in Mexico and Central America.
Despite the limited knowledge about the Upano people's daily lives, excavations revealed pits, hearths, and artifacts, providing insights into their agricultural focus. Consuming maize, sweet potatoes, and the ancient beverage "chicha," the inhabitants forged a complex urban society in the heart of the Amazon.
Photo Credit: Antoine Dorison and Stéphen Rostain
Prof Rostain's dedication to this research, despite initial skepticism, has unearthed a monumental discovery challenging established historical narratives. As the team contemplates the adjoining 300 sq km area yet to be surveyed, the Lost Cities of the Amazon promise to reveal more secrets about ancient civilizations.