Hundreds of Hidden Ancient Structures Discovered Under the Amazon Rainforest

Recent research in the Amazon rainforest has revealed the discovery of hundreds of new ancient structures using LIDAR technology, suggesting that a larger civilization may have existed in the region than previously thought.An international research team led by archeo-anthropologist Martti Parssinen from the University of Helsinki conducted aerial laser scans in the southwest Amazon. The study, which used LIDAR technology, covered an area of 4,497 square kilometers.The research identified a total of 432 earthwork structures, 396 of which were newly discovered. Scientists estimate that the scanned area represents only a small portion of the Amazon, and that there may be between 24,000 to 30,000 similar structures in the region. 'The Aquiry civilization built large geometric earthwork structures surrounded by ditches.'According to the study, the Aquiry civilization, which lived in the region from 600 BCE to 850 CE, constructed these earthworks for ceremonial and political purposes. Scientists believe that the civilization covered an area of approximately 183,000 square kilometers at its peak and may have had a population of between 1.2 million and 3 million. 'We believe that Aquiry society consisted of communities connected by shared traditions rather than a single kingdom.'