The archaeologists have discovered ruins of ancient city in the Amazon rain forest, particularly in the Upano Valley of eastern Ecuador in January 2024 as per the research, published in the journal Science. The lush green vegetation has covered the region for many thousands of years. With this discovery, the past of the people living in the Amazon near the eastern slope of the Andes Mountains has been altered. This is because the researchers had believed for long that no activity was taking place there. But now they have found that there was the development of a major and distinctive culture.
Basis of Discovery
The discovery of the lost city in eastern Ecuador is based on advancements in satellite imagery and Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology, which has transformed archaeology and many years of research.
LiDAR is a remote sensing method that uses light in the form of a pulsed laser to measure ranges (variable distances) to the Earth. These light pulses—combined with other data recorded by the airborne system—generate precise, three-dimensional information about the shape of the Earth and its surface characteristics is particularly effective in densely forested areas like the Amazon, where thick vegetation can obscure archaeological sites.
Researchers using LiDAR were able to penetrate the dense jungle canopy, revealing the presence of large, geometric structures, and terraces that suggested human-made constructions. As a result, five main settlements and ten auxiliary sites, spanning in around 300 square km, were recorded.
The archaeologists also used technology of radiocarbon dating. It was discovered that humans had inhabited that land probably between 500 BCE and 300 to 600 CE, a period roughly contemporary with the Roman empire in Europe. Thus, these settlements are the earliest known settlements in the varied Amazonian landscapes.
About the Discovery
In the discovery, the Amazon valley appeared to be similar to other valleys. These valleys had a river containing lots of mud that flowed through deep and dark forests. However, the Amazon valley consisted of mounds of mud that rose up at exact right angles. Besides, there were long ditches that ran in a straight line through the soil.
According to archaeologists, eastern Ecuador has the remains of the vast ancient cities that spread over various acres of land. They suggest that it had modifications of areas of land that could have been canals, roads, plazas, etc. It also consisted of platforms for homes. Thus, it is evident that hundreds and thousands of people had inhabited this land for several centuries. This must be long ago, prior to the period even when Europeans had not explored South America.
Further, it was discovered that in the Upano Valley of eastern Ecuador, there was an astonishing network of roads and canals. This network linked the houses and plazas in this region. Scientists believed that the road network must have been quite complicated, as constructing a straight road is more arduous than constructing the one that suits the landscape. Also, the right angles present there are remarkable. The Upano valley was located close to a volcano, which led to the formation of rich local soils. However, perhaps this also could be the reason that the society got destructed.
Machu Picchu in Peru and other cities located in the highlands of South America are known to the world. But in the eastern Ecuador, people probably lived only as nomads or in small settlements.
Researchers believe that this is the oldest site in the eastern Ecuador. It was around 2,500 years ago that the city came into being. People resided in the region for up to 1,000 years.
It is uncertain how many people would have lived in the region at any given point in time. However, according to the scientists, it could probably be in ten thousand if not in lakhs.
With the help of ground excavations and an investigation of a 300 sq. km area, the archaeologists identified the remnants of the city under the dense growth of plants and trees. The investigation was done with the help of laser sensors attached to a plane that flew over the region.
Using the LiDAR technology, it was found that there had been rectangular platforms, around 6,000 in number. Each of these measured 20m in length, 10m in width, and 2–3 m in height. Their arrangement had been done in groups. These groups, consisting of three to six units, were placed around a plaza with a central platform. It is believed that most of these were homes. However, some could have been used for ceremonial purposes also, as they had a very complex meaning.
Besides, at Kilamope, one complex consisted of a platform with a length of 140m and width of 40m. People living at that time used to construct these platforms by cutting into hills. Then, a platform of earth was formed on the top. A large number of platforms were linked together by a network of straight roads and paths, including one that stretched 25 km.
According to Dorison, the most brilliant aspect of the research included the roads. Besides, a scoreboard for ancient ball game of the Mayans was discovered by archaeologists. Ancient mummy was discovered under the heap of rubbish. In ancient Peruvian city, mass grave was also discovered.
According to the findings, there were walkways across many parts of the region. These walkways had ditches on both sides. Most of these ditches were probably the canals whose water was used for various domestic purposes, while several other ditches were used for blocking entrances so as to safeguard the settlements from the people of the nearby regions who were believed to be threats to settlers.
It was in the 1970s that the researchers first discovered the evidence of a city. However, after 25-long years of research, the scientists successfully completed a wide-ranging survey for the first time. As per the survey, a huge and complicated society became known to the world. The size of this society seems to be larger than the popular Mayan societies that were found in Central America and Mexico. Some of the scientists are of the view that this civilisation was similar to that of the Mayans, except that their architecture, ceramics, and land use were completely different. Besides, some findings are associated only with South America, such as rectangular and octagonal platforms that were jointly arranged. It is clearly evident that the societies were properly organised and connected with each other, taking into consideration the long and hollow roads that ran between settlements.
Much is not known about the people who inhabited the region and what kind of societies they lived in. Platforms probably contained pits and hearths. Besides, jars and stones for grinding burnt seeds and plants were also discovered in these platforms.
During the excavation, the research team discovered the painted jugs and pottery. It is likely that people living in the Upano valley and the Kilamope carried out agricultural activities. Maize and sweet potato were their staple food. Archaeologists believe that a kind of sweet beer, known as ‘chicha’, was a common drink. It is a corn-based drink that is still popular in the Andes region today.
Having made such a remarkable discovery, now the researchers seek to survey the adjacent unexplored region (which spreads over 300 sq. km) and find out what lies there.
Significance of the Discovery
The ruins are believed to be remnants of a civilisation that dates back thousands of years, challenging the notion that the Amazon was a sparsely populated wilderness before European colonisation. The city’s layout suggests a well-organised society with advanced knowledge of architecture and urban planning.
Further, the ruins challenge the traditional view that the Amazon was largely uninhabited before European colonisation. Instead, they suggest that the region was home to large, complex societies with advanced knowledge of architecture, agriculture, and environmental management. This discovery supports the theory that the Amazon basin was a hub of civilisation, with large populations living in urban centres connected by networks of roads and paths. These findings could lead to a revaluation of the history of the Amazon and its role in the broader context of pre-Columbian civilisations in South America.
For indigenous communities in the region, the discovery of the ancient city could reinforce their cultural identity and connection to the land. It may also provide new opportunities for cultural tourism and education, helping to preserve and promote the region’s rich heritage.
The ruins also provide valuable insights into how ancient civilisations managed and adapted to the Amazon’s challenging environment. Understanding these practices could inform modern efforts to promote sustainable development and conservation in the region.
Expert Comments
Jose Iriarte, an archaeologist working at the Exeter University, opined, “It’s a huge contribution to Amazonian archaeology.” However, he was not a part of the research team.
According to the director of investigation at the National Centre for Scientific Research in France, Stephen Rostain, the researchers earlier thought that there were only Eurocentric civilisations, but with this discovery, the idea of culture and civilisation need to be reconsidered. He was the person who headed the research. He also highlighted that the cities were so complex that the massive amount of work would have been required to build them.
According to Antoine Dorison, the co-author, “It changes the way we see Amazonian cultures. Most people picture small groups, probably naked, living in huts and clearing land—this shows ancient people lived in complicated urban societies.”
Conclusion
The discovery of the ruins of an ancient lost city in eastern Ecuador is a monumental archaeological find with profound implications for our understanding of the Amazon’s history and its ancient civilisation. The site’s discovery, facilitated by modern technology and rigorous archaeological exploration, opens new avenues for research and understanding of pre-Columbian civilisations in South America. As researchers continue to explore and study the site, new insights will emerge, shedding light on the complexities of the ancient societies that once inhabited the Amazon basin. The preservation and protection of this site are crucial for future generations to appreciate the rich cultural heritage of the Amazon and the achievements of its ancient inhabitants. This discovery is not only a milestone in archaeology but also a reminder of the enduring mysteries of the Amazon and its untapped historical treasures.
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