Researchers have uncovered a network of ancient settlements hidden in the Amazon rainforest that dates back over 2,500 years, revealing a previously unknown urban civilization.
The findings, published in Science, show large, complex communities with advanced farming systems and monumental buildings in the Upper Amazon near Ecuador’s Andes.
This ancient urban network consisted of interconnected settlements with roads, earthen platforms, and agricultural landscapes, supporting a dense population estimated at 10,000 to 30,000 people.
The societies in these settlements were sedentary agrarian, cultivating crops like maize and sweet potatoes in fertile soils, and engaging in ritual activities that shaped the landscape for ceremonial and social purposes.
Despite facing challenges from natural disasters like nearby volcanic eruptions, the communities demonstrated resilience over centuries, adapting to and thriving in the Amazon environment.
The discovery challenges previous assumptions of Amazonia as untouched wilderness, shedding light on the rich cultural history and architectural achievements of ancient Amazonian civilizations.
The research offers insights into a lesser-known aspect of Amazonia's past and encourages a reevaluation of the region's historical significance and cultural complexity.
Archaeologists hope that this discovery will lead to further exploration and appreciation of the Amazon's ancient past, showcasing the diversity and sophistication of pre-Hispanic societies in the region.
The network of cities hidden in the Amazon rainforest provides a fascinating glimpse into the ingenuity and resilience of ancient civilizations, challenging perceptions of the region's history.
This remarkable find highlights the depth of human history waiting to be rediscovered within the dense jungles of the Amazon, offering a new perspective on the cultural heritage of the region.