Uploaded September 2024 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
Lost beneath the leaves: LASERS reveal an ancient AMAZONIAN civilization
Around 2,500 years ago, deep in the Upano Valley of the Andes Mountains in eastern Ecuador, a thriving civilization once flourished. Located beneath a volcano, this ancient society harnessed the rich soil for prosperity, yet that same force of nature may have led to its demise. What’s incredible is the discovery of a vast network of roads and canals linking their homes, plazas, and history—making this the oldest known site in the Amazon. While many imagined ancient Amazonians as nomadic or living in tiny settlements, this urban society defied all expectations, thriving for nearly 1,500 years. And with the power of laser technology, experts are uncovering even more lost cities throughout the Amazon. But just how advanced were these ancient Amazonians?
Lost beneath the leaves: LASERS reveal an ancient AMAZONIAN civilization
Around 2,500 years ago, deep in the Upano Valley of the Andes Mountains in eastern Ecuador, a thriving civilization once flourished. Located beneath a volcano, this ancient society harnessed the rich soil for prosperity, yet that same force of nature may have led to its demise. What’s incredible is the discovery of a vast network of roads and canals linking their homes, plazas, and history—making this the oldest known site in the Amazon. While many imagined ancient Amazonians as nomadic or living in tiny settlements, this urban society defied all expectations, thriving for nearly 1,500 years. And with the power of laser technology, experts are uncovering even more lost cities throughout the Amazon. But just how advanced were these ancient Amazonians?
