Under the watchful eye of LiDAR technology, an unimaginable city belonging to the legendary Kingdom of Snakes has emerged eerily within the biosphere reserve in Mexico.
According to Heritage Daily, the great structural complex featuring numerous temples, pyramids, housing, and unexpectedly modern public amenities spans an area of up to 70km2 in what is now the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve in Mexico.
Previously, scattered remnants of what once was the Calakmul city, a “counterpart” to the famous Tikal, had been discovered beneath the forest canopy. This was the capital of the legendary Kingdom of Snakes, which has become a part of Central American mythology, with the serpent head symbol known as Kaan appearing everywhere, forming a significant part of the mighty Maya Empire.
3D image of the capital of the Kingdom of Snakes revealed by LiDAR – (Photo: INAH)
To gain a clearer understanding of what remains hidden and the true scale of Calakmul, a team of scientists led by the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) and the Bajo Laberinto Archaeological Project in Mexico utilized LiDAR to survey the area. The project also involved collaboration with several universities in the United States.
LiDAR is a remote sensing method using laser beams to “see through” dense canopies and other interference, revealing a 3D map of ancient ruins buried beneath.
LiDAR has showcased an astonishing image of an ancient city with a population reaching up to 50,000, a remarkable scale for the year 700 AD.
This city comprises 60 architectural clusters grouped around temples, squares, or ancient trade centers. The density of structures and buildings indicates that at the time of Calakmul’s existence, it was one of the largest cities in the Americas.
The city’s infrastructure has also astonished researchers. “The level of landscape modification could be comparable to the urban population scale, as all available land was covered by canals, high-rise houses, walls, and dams, providing maximum food security and adequate water supply for the city’s inhabitants.” – stated INAH.
The captivating capital of the Kingdom of Snakes will be further studied in the future, with hopes of revealing more details about the Maya civilization – a civilization that continues to amaze archaeologists.
