Recent Research Reveals the Existence of Thousands of Uncharted Pre-Columbian Sites in the Amazon Rainforest
A groundbreaking investigation has uncovered a staggering revelation about the Amazon basin, suggesting the presence of over 10,000 yet-to-be-discovered Pre-Columbian sites. This revelation underscores the profound historical influence of ancient civilizations on the Amazon’s environment, emphasizing the urgent need for its conservation and sustainable stewardship.
Utilizing advanced remote sensing data and predictive spatial modeling, a newly published study has shed light on the extensive network of Pre-Columbian archaeological sites that have remained hidden across the vast Amazon basin. The study’s authors assert the critical significance of comprehending the intricate connections between ancient human societies, the Amazonian forests, and Earth’s climate.
The Indigenous Impact on the Amazon
Indigenous societies have inhabited the Amazon basin for over 12,000 years, leaving behind a legacy of ancient earthwork structures and cultivated landscapes that continue to shape the region’s modern forest composition. However, due to the remote and densely vegetated nature of these sites, our understanding of the scale and extent of Amazon settlement and landscape transformations has remained limited. A comprehensive survey of Pre-Columbian sites in the Amazon basin has never been undertaken.
Unveiling Secrets with LIDAR Technology
The application of airborne LIDAR (light detection and ranging) technology, capable of mapping minute changes in ground topography beneath the dense forest canopy, has proven invaluable in uncovering previously unknown Pre-Columbian structures and earthworks in heavily forested areas throughout Central and South America.
In their research, Vinicius Peripato and his colleagues meticulously examined 5,315 square kilometers of LIDAR survey data, revealing 24 previously unreported human-made earthworks. These included fortified villages, defensive and ceremonial structures, mountaintop settlements, and various geoglyphs, dispersed across diverse regions within the Amazon basin. It’s worth noting that the LIDAR survey data covered only a mere 0.08% of Amazonia’s total area.
Predictive Modeling and the Potential for Further Discoveries
To gain a more comprehensive understanding of the possible locations and numbers of undocumented Pre-Columbian sites, Peripato et al. amalgamated their basin-wide survey data with information on previously identified sites, using a predictive spatial distribution model. According to their model, between 10,272 and 23,648 large-scale Pre-Columbian structures may still await discovery, particularly in the southwestern reaches of Amazonia.
Furthermore, the researchers identified a significant association between the predicted probability of earthworks and the presence and abundance of domesticated tree species. This finding suggests that active forest management practices by Pre-Columbian Indigenous populations have played a pivotal role in shaping the ecology of modern Amazonian forests. The authors assert that the Amazonian forests merit protection not only for their ecological and environmental importance but also for their considerable archaeological, social, and biocultural value. These ancient forests offer valuable insights for contemporary society on sustainable natural resource management.
Citation: “More than 10,000 pre-Columbian earthworks are still hidden throughout Amazonia” by Vinicius Peripato and a team of researchers, published on October 5, 2023, in the journal Science. DOI: 10.1126/science.ade2541
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Pre-Columbian Amazonia
Q: What is the main revelation of the recent research in the Amazon Rainforest?
A: The main revelation is that over 10,000 previously undiscovered Pre-Columbian archaeological sites exist in the Amazon basin, highlighting the significant impact of ancient civilizations on the region and the need for its protection.
A: The researchers utilized airborne LIDAR (light detection and ranging) technology to map the ground beneath the dense forest canopy, revealing previously unknown earthwork structures and settlements.
Q: Why is the study of Pre-Columbian sites in the Amazon important?
A: Studying these sites helps us understand the historical interactions between human societies, Amazonian forests, and Earth’s climate. It also sheds light on the long-lasting effects of Indigenous populations on modern forest composition.
Q: What regions of the Amazon basin did the research cover?
A: The study covered various regions within the Amazon basin, particularly focusing on southwestern Amazonia, where a significant number of undocumented Pre-Columbian structures are predicted to exist.
Q: What is the significance of the association between earthworks and domesticated tree species?
A: The association suggests that active forest management by Pre-Columbian Indigenous populations has played a crucial role in shaping the ecology of modern Amazonian forests, offering lessons for sustainable natural resource management.
Q: How can the findings benefit modern society?
A: The findings emphasize the ecological, environmental, archaeological, social, and biocultural value of Amazonian forests. They provide insights into sustainable resource management and the importance of preserving these ancient landscapes.
Q: Where can I find the full research paper for more details?
A: The full research paper titled “More than 10,000 pre-Columbian earthworks are still hidden throughout Amazonia” by Vinicius Peripato and colleagues was published in the journal Science on October 5, 2023, and can be accessed through DOI: 10.1126/science.ade2541.
More about Pre-Columbian Amazonia
- Read the Full Research Paper
- Science Magazine
- LIDAR Technology in Archaeology
- Amazon Rainforest Conservation
- Indigenous Amazonian Cultures
- Ancient Civilizations
5 comments
protecting the rainforest = _xD83D__xDC4D__xD83C__xDF33_
DOI links for the win! _xD83D__xDCDA__xD83D__xDD17_
wait, LIDAR? that sounds like sci-fi stuff _xD83D__xDD26__xD83D__xDEF8_
ancient civilizations rock! _xD83C__xDFDB_️_xD83E__xDEB6_
omg this is like so cool! 10k hidden Amazon sites, I had no idea _xD83D__xDE31_