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Archaeologists have made a groundbreaking discovery of an ancient settlement in the depths of the Amazon rainforest, thanks to advanced laser technology.
French researchers uncovered ancient road systems dating back 2,500 years in a 230 square mile area within the thick rainforests of South America.
The findings from the dig revealed that the intricate system of tunnels was utilized between approximately 500 BC and sometime between AD 300 and 600.
“I have frequented the site numerous times, however lidar provided me with a fresh perspective on the terrain,” shared Stéphen Rostain, lead author of the study and an archaeologist and research director at the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), in an interview with Live Science.
“Moving on foot poses obstacles due to trees, making it challenging to identify hidden elements.” The use of Lidar technology revealed that the area consisted of over 6,000 rectangular earthen structures, including plazas and mounds, connected by a complex network of straight roads and paths.
The ancient roadways, which are 2,500 years old, were found in a dense rainforest in South America, covering an area of 230 square miles.
The scientists also identified clusters of about 15 different settlements that varied in size and number of buildings.
According to Mr. Rostain, certain settlements contained large mounds, reaching up to 492 feet (150 meters) in length and standing at a height of 26 feet (8 meters).
Archaeologists have recently uncovered a 2000-year-old temple in Greece, filled with valuable gold and jewels.
A site on the island of Evia in Greece was excavated and found to contain a large amount of gold, silver, and amber.
In 2023, a group of 50 researchers discovered a 100-foot structure dating back to the 7th century BC.
The ministry of culture in Greece stated that the discovery of the ancient temple revealed valuable items such as Corinthian alabaster, attic vases, locally-made ritual prochos, and jewelry crafted from luxurious materials like gold, silver, and coral.
Numerous structures were also uncovered within the temple, presumably utilized as altars by those who worshipped there.
Source: independent.co.uk
