A cultural, historical, and archaeological treasure is located in the Amazon, much more than a simple ecosystem. Various civilizations have inhabited these lands throughout the centuries, and the Amazônia Revelada project, in collaboration with the Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology of the University of São Paulo, has discovered an ancient settlement dating back to the 18th century.
According to the museum director, Eduardo Neves, this settlement belonged to the Amazon region under Portuguese control before Brazil's independence. Abandoned over time, the jungle completely covered it, keeping it hidden from human sight. This finding adds to the project's efforts to identify and protect the archaeological heritage of the region.
To uncover this hidden civilization in the Amazon, archaeologists used LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology, which allows for the precise recognition of terrain reliefs through laser lights and drones. This method, combined with the creation of topographical maps and local exploration with members of indigenous communities, has been essential in the discovery and documentation of ancient civilizations in the Amazon rainforest.
The vast extent of the Amazon rainforest, covering 5,500,000 square kilometers, hides numerous secrets that are being revealed thanks to the work of researchers and scientists committed to preserving this invaluable cultural and archaeological heritage.
