A group of researchers from the Amazonia Revelada project, in collaboration with the Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology at the University of São Paulo, has made a stunning discovery by locating a hidden city dating back to the 18th century.
This finding reveals the existence of an unknown civilization that inhabited the region during the Portuguese rule, before Brazil’s independence.
The Amazon and a Discovery that Rewrites History
During the Portuguese colonization of Brazil, between the 16th and 19th centuries, numerous colonies were established in the Amazon rainforest with the aim of exploring its forests and rivers, and identifying resources. However, many of these colonies were abandoned after the independence in 1822. This is the case of the recently discovered city.
Prior to this discovery, researchers were aware of the settlement thanks to ancient colonial maps, but they did not know its exact location. The city was abandoned and slowly swallowed by the jungle, keeping its remains intact and hidden until now.
The Amazonia Revelada project aims not only to document these archaeological findings, but also to integrate them into the cultural heritage to ensure their protection. This recent discovery not only enriches the history of the Amazon but also redefines the perception of this vast territory.
The Technology that Enabled the Discovery
The use of LiDAR, a laser measurement technology, was crucial in locating this settlement. LiDAR allows penetrating the vegetation cover and creating precise 3D mappings of the underlying surfaces, facilitating the identification of urban structures hidden by the vegetation.
Through the use of LiDAR, specialists were able to distinguish ancient streets and various square and circular shapes, some of which are still not fully understood.
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