What's Happening?
Recent research utilizing Light Detection and Ranging (Lidar) technology has revealed over 20,000 pre-colonial earthworks hidden beneath the Amazon rainforest canopy. These findings, published in the journal Nature, indicate the presence of a large, complex
society known as the Aquiry civilization, which thrived from around 600BC to AD850. The Aquiry civilization constructed massive geometric earthworks, including deep ditches and high embankments, across an area spanning approximately 183,000 square kilometers in modern-day Brazil, Bolivia, and Peru. This discovery challenges previous assumptions that the Amazon was sparsely populated and highlights the region's historical significance as a hub of human activity and environmental engineering.
Why It's Important?
The discovery of these earthworks fundamentally alters the understanding of the Amazon's pre-colonial history, suggesting that the region was home to sophisticated societies capable of large-scale environmental manipulation. This challenges the long-held view of the Amazon as a pristine wilderness and underscores the importance of indigenous knowledge and land management practices. The findings have significant implications for archaeology and anthropology, prompting a reevaluation of the cultural and historical narratives surrounding the Amazon. Additionally, the research highlights the potential of Lidar technology in uncovering hidden archaeological sites, offering new opportunities for exploration and study in remote and densely forested areas.
