The Amazon rainforest, often referred to as the "lungs of the Earth," is a region teeming with natural beauty and biodiversity. Yet, beneath its lush canopy, a hidden history is slowly revealing itself. A recent study published in Science has uncovered an astonishing number of ancient earthworks created by indigenous peoples who lived in the Amazon 500 to 1,500 years ago. These earthworks, with almost 10,000 yet to be discovered, offer intriguing insights into the lives and cultures of ancient Amazonian civilizations.
Earthworks are structures made by manipulating the earth's surface, whether through the digging of ditches or the raising of mounds. These enigmatic structures have been linked to various purposes, such as ceremonial and defensive functions. They provide a window into the past, shedding light on how these ancient communities lived and interacted with their environment.
Many pre-European colonial Amazonian earthworks have been unearthed in deforested areas, but researchers have long suspected that a multitude of similar sites remain hidden beneath the dense Amazonian rainforest. To reveal these concealed relics, scientists employed a powerful tool - lidar, or light detection and ranging technology. Lidar uses laser pulses to scan the earth's surface, creating detailed 3D maps of the terrain. This technology allowed researchers to detect earthworks that were otherwise hidden beneath the forest canopy.
According to geographer Vinicius Peripato, a researcher at Brazil's National Institute for Space Research, "Lidar is really essential to confirm the presence of the structures, especially beneath the forest." Through lidar analysis, researchers identified 24 previously unknown earthworks, each offering a unique glimpse into the past. These newly discovered earthworks varied in form and function, ranging from settlements with plazas and fortified villages to megalithic buildings and geoglyphs.
Impressively, the lidar survey covered only a minuscule 0.08% of the vast Amazon rainforest, which spans an area of 2.6 million square miles (6.7 million square kilometers). Despite this limited scope, the researchers managed to map 937 existing earthworks and used an algorithm to identify additional sites based on shared topographic characteristics. To narrow down the possibilities further, they analyzed tree survey data, looking for signs of the 79 species known to have been cultivated and grown by pre-Columbian cultures.
The results were staggering. The model suggested that over 10,000 earthworks remain hidden beneath the Amazon's canopy, with the known sites representing just a fraction, no more than 9% of the potential discoveries. These findings fundamentally alter our understanding of the Amazon jungle's history. Previously, many scientists believed the forest had remained untouched for ages, but the earthworks suggest otherwise, indicating that the Amazon was once home to thriving indigenous populations.
Dr. Michael Heckenberger, a professor of anthropology at the University of Florida, noted, "The conclusions are not surprising but follow a trend in Amazonian studies to increase the scale, density, and impact of human occupations on the Amazon forest." These findings illuminate the dynamism and innovation of indigenous cultures in the Americas, challenging the notion of the Amazon as an untamed wilderness.
The discovery of these earthworks carries not only scientific significance but also societal implications. Indigenous Amazonians can use this research to assert their longstanding presence in the jungle, defending their land rights. These revelations might also inspire new archaeological expeditions to previously unexplored corners of the Amazon, expanding our knowledge of this ancient and diverse ecosystem.
As the secrets of the Amazon continue to unfold, the rainforest's value as a treasure trove of knowledge and culture becomes increasingly apparent. The Amazon is not just a source of natural wonder but also a repository of untold stories from the past, waiting to be revealed by modern technology and inquisitive minds.
