Скачать или смотреть Hidden Giant 2,500 Year Old Amazonian Metropolis

Hidden giant city under the Amazon has been mapped
The dense and humid rainforest hid a 2,500-year-old secret.

In the shadow of a volcano in the wild Amazon jungle, a group of French archaeologists have made a discovery that they believe will contribute to revising the history of the world's largest rainforest.

Along the so-called Upano River, located in the upper part of the 6,700,000 square kilometer rainforest, they are said to have mapped a 2,500-year-old metropolis, which contained an impressive network of roads and canals.

The research behind the discovery has been published in the well-respected scientific journal Science, where the researchers describe how they mapped the area by emitting laser light, so-called LIDAR.

The analyzes revealed no less than 6,000 rectangular platforms measuring about 20 by 10 meters and 2–3 meters high.

Sophisticated road network
The dwellings were arranged in groups of between three and six units around a square with a central platform, and the researchers believe that many of the platforms also functioned as homes.

But they also found some platforms that may have been used for ceremonial purposes—for example, a platform that measured no less than 140 by 40 meters.

But the most surprising thing about the studies, according to the researchers, is an impressive network of straight roads and paths that connected many of the platforms.

One of the roads was exactly 25 kilometers long.

"The road network is very sophisticated. It stretches over great distances and everything is connected. In addition, there are right angles, which is very impressive," explains Antoine Dorison, who is one of the researchers behind the study to the BBC .

According to him, some of the roads may have had a special meaning and perhaps even a ceremonial purpose.

The researchers found the first evidence of the city's existence as early as 1970. But this is said to be the first time a complete mapping has been done based on 20 years of research.

The studies show that the city is probably around 2,500 years old and that it has housed people for up to 1,000 years.

Hidden Giant 2,500 Year Old Amazonian Metropolis