Archeologists Discover an Ancient Mayan City in the Forest That’s Been Hidden for 2,000 Years

Archaeologists recently uncovered the remains of an ancient Mayan settlement spanning 650 square miles across the Mirador-Calakmul Karst Basin region, near the Mexico border.

Scientists have discovered the remains of a lost city using a form of laser technology known as LiDAR, or Light Detection and Ranging. This remote sensing method sends pulses of laser light from an airplane, which reflects back to form an image of the landscape beneath. 

Archaeologists and historians have long held the belief that ancient Mesoamerican settlements were sparsely populated. However, a new discovery has thrown this idea out the window. Excavations at a newly discovered site reveal a densely populated city with hubs for recreation, trade and politics. 

The use of LiDAR technology has unlocked ancient mysteries in the Maya Lowlands. A new article in the Cambridge University Press journal Ancient Mesoamerica reveals the discovery of one of the largest, contiguous, regional LiDAR studies to date in the region. 

Archaeologists have made a remarkable discovery in Mesoamerica – new settlements that provide evidence for early centralized administrative and socio-economic strategies. Through their analysis of the findings, archaeologists are getting a unique insight into the inner workings of ancient civilizations in the region. 

Are you curious to discover how our ancestors lived in the distant past? Take a journey through time with us and explore the homes of different cultures, including Ancient Egypt, Iron Age Britain, the Mayan and Aztec Empires, and many more! 

Archaeologists in the Southern Israeli desert made an incredible discovery in August 2022 – the remains of a lavish mansion from the early Islamic period, over 1,200 years ago. 

Archaeologists have uncovered a remarkable discovery in the Bedouin town of Rahat during an excavation conducted in collaboration with the Israel Antiquities Authority and the Authority for the Development and Settlement of the Bedouin. 

Step back in time and uncover the secrets of a luxurious ancient abode, believed to have been built in the 8th or 9th century! Constructed around a central courtyard, this home is characterized by opulent features such as a marble hallway, stone floors, and frescoed walls. 

Archaeologists made a fascinating discovery while excavating an old estate – clues that showed the status of the owner. Shards of ornately decorated glass dishes, pieces of oil lamps, and a network of subterranean vaults believed to have been used as an early refrigeration system were found. 

Peek into the past and explore the ancient estate of the wealthy and powerful! An impressive underground vaults, luxurious mansion and much more – the site recently transformed into a public exhibition offers guided tours around the estate. 

Venture back in time and explore the wonders of one of the oldest and most influential civilizations in human history – Mesopotamia. Located in the Middle East’s Fertile Crescent, this 6th millennium BC culture was a cradle of innovation and invention. 

Discover the timeless legacy of the Ma’dan people and the ingenious homes they continue to craft even today! The ordinary Mesopotamians of ancient Iraq crafted their homes from plaited reeds and plastered them with clay. 

Experience the unique charm of Iraq’s traditional homes – the Rabas and Mudhifs. These ancient dwellings have an entrance at each end and feature a screen that divides the main area from the space used for guests or livestock. 

In Ancient Mesopotamia, the lives of the king and courtier class were characterized by grandeur and extravagance. They lived in monumental palaces, large homes made from whitewashed sun-dried mud bricks, and adorned with windows. 

Step back in time and take a journey to the grandeur of ancient Mesopotamian homes. Featuring separate bedrooms, these luxurious abodes were fitted with modern luxuries such as plumbed toilets, decorative braziers for heating and elaborate furniture including beds overlaid with precious metals. 

Delve into the amazing history of Ancient Egypt, a civilization that flourished along the banks of the River Nile for five millennia. From 5000 BC to 30 BC, the Ancient Egyptians made immense contributions to the world. They developed complex systems of mathematics and medicine, and produced stunning works of art and literature. 

The ancient Egyptians were a remarkable civilisation, renowned for their incredible feats of engineering and architecture. Their homes were no exception, crafted from mud bricks and papyrus. The annual flooding of the Nile meant mud was abundant and could be formed into bricks that were left to dry in the sun. 

Uncover the simple lives of people in the lower social strata! They lived in one-room abodes with flat roofs used for sleeping on the warmest nights. These houses would lead into open-walled courtyards, where animals were kept and food cooked over a fire. 

The homes of the elite were magnificent! Constructed from whitewashed mud bricks or limestone, these high-end dwellings featured numerous rooms and awe-inspiring exteriors. The most impressive of all were the palaces, with their colonnaded exteriors, cooling pools and lush gardens. 

Have you ever wondered what it was like to live in the homes of the ancient elite? Step into the world of the Egyptians, where opulence and grandeur reign. With separate toilets, spacious kitchens, and guest rooms adorned with magnificent frescoes depicting hieroglyphics and images of the gods, these structures exude the highest level of luxury. 

The Minoans were Europe’s first advanced civilization, flourishing on Crete and the surrounding islands from 2000 BC to 1500 BC. Skilled seafarers, they established a profitable maritime trading network, crafted advanced tools, and built awe-inspiring palaces. 

The ancient Minoan civilization on the island of Crete was an advanced society, and their homes were no exception! Even the poorest Minoans lived in large, two-story homes made of stone, while some even came with enclosed courtyards. 

Delve into the ancient Greek civilization and uncover the beauty of the Minoan homes! These dwellings were equipped with multiple rooms, containing exquisite furniture, pottery, and other utensils made primarily of wood. Additionally, the walls were adorned with captivating murals, many of which have remained intact till present day. 

Discover the grandeur of the legendary Minoan Palace Complex of Knossos, the stuff of myth and legend. Built in the 2nd millennium BC, this ancient royal palace spans two football fields, making it a sight to behold. 

The majestic Knossos Palace, a multi-story labyrinth-like structure, boasts an array of captivating and spacious colonnaded rooms, grand staircases, advanced drainage systems, and theater areas. 

The Mayan civilization, a long-lost culture that flourished in Central America, left behind a plethora of mysteries to be discovered. From their complex writing and astronomical systems to symbolic art and monumental architecture, the Mayans were an advanced people who left an indelible mark on history. 

Travel back in time to the Mayan Empire, where homes were unlike any seen today. Constructed from wood and straw, these homes were lined with baked mud and clay for insulation. For a bright and attractive exterior, lime was used to give the homes a white finish. 

Do you know how the lower classes used to live centuries ago? Believe it or not, their homes were often a single room, partitioned with a screen to separate living spaces. 

Step back in time and witness the grandeur of the ancient Mayan Empire with the magnificent Palace of Palenque. Located in the heart of Chiapas, Mexico, this palace was the abode of the Palenque rulers from 250 BC to 900 AD. Each room was exquisitely furnished with opulent pieces, exuding a sense of grandeur. 

Behold the luxurious life of Teotihuacan’s elite! This image of the interior courtyard of the Palace of Quetzalpapálotl in the ancient Mesoamerican city near modern-day Mexico City, gives us a glimpse into their opulent lifestyle.