The city is the size of Edinburgh and among the largest Mayan sites in ancient Latin America.

A huge Mayan city has been discovered centuries after it disappeared under jungle canopy in Mexico.

Archaeologists found pyramids, sports fields, causeways connecting districts and amphitheatres in the southeastern state of Campeche.

They found the hidden complex - which they have called Valeriana - using Lidar, a type of radar survey that maps structures buried under vegetation.

They believe it is second in size only to Calakmul, thought to be the largest Mayan site in ancient Latin America.

  • Rolando@lemmy.worldEnglish
    222·
    3 days ago

    Mr Auld-Thomas and his colleagues named the city Valeriana after a nearby lagoon.

    …

    It is “hidden in plain sight”, the archaeologists say, as it is just 15 minutes hike from a major road near Xpujil where mostly Maya people now live.

    This archeologist just discovered a Maya city, and they decided to call it “Valeriana” (in the language of the conquistadors) insted of something like “Xpujil” (in the language of the people who still live there.)

    They’re not thinking big enough. They should call it “openai.com” and go for corporate sponsorship!