Ancient earthworks reveal lost Amazonian civilization
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Researchers in Brazil discovered nearly 400 previously unknown earthworks in the Amazon rainforest, revealing evidence of a complex civilization dating back to 600 BCE.
A team of Finnish researchers used Lidar laser scanning technology to map the geometric shapes hidden beneath the forest canopy. These “geoglyphs”, circles, squares, and connected routes, suggest a sophisticated society of an estimated 3 million people lived in the region, challenging previous understandings of the Amazon and its inhabitants.
The geoglyphs are different from those found elsewhere, such as the Nazca Lines in Peru. While the Nazca Lines are created by removing surface stones, the Amazonian geoglyphs are built up using earthworks and ditches, requiring significant labor and organization. Archaeologist Peter Eeckhout of the Université libre de Bruxelles explains that these large-scale modifications of the landscape were not intended to be viewed from the air, but rather served as ceremonial sites where people from multiple villages gathered.
The discovery suggests a higher population density and more complex social structure than previously believed for the Amazon region. Researchers are now working to understand the function of these geoglyphs and how the Aquiry civilization, as it is known, fits into the broader history of South America. The findings also have implications for understanding the Amazon’s past climate and developing sustainable agricultural practices, as the ancient civilization demonstrably altered the landscape.
