The city is the size of Edinburgh and among the largest Mayan sites in ancient Latin America.

A huge Mayan city has been discovered centuries after it disappeared under jungle canopy in Mexico.

Archaeologists found pyramids, sports fields, causeways connecting districts and amphitheatres in the southeastern state of Campeche.

They found the hidden complex - which they have called Valeriana - using Lidar, a type of radar survey that maps structures buried under vegetation.

They believe it is second in size only to Calakmul, thought to be the largest Mayan site in ancient Latin America.

  • ohwhatfollyisman@lemmy.worldEnglish
    14·
    16 days ago

    i can’t recommend the novel “The Vivero Letter” by Desmond Bagley enough when it comes to the subject of lost mayan cities.

    as with his other novels, the research that he showcases in his narrative is nothing short of impressive – especially considering that he was active at a time without the internet.

    it’s definitely one of his better books.

      • ohwhatfollyisman@lemmy.worldEnglish
        2·
        16 days ago

        High Citadel was the first of his books that i read and i was hooked immediately. from the crash landing to the riverside standoff to the trek across the andes to the ultimate jet dogfight - it’s just one rollercoaster dip after another.

        and the guerrilla tactics were something else altogether. especially the building of the crossbows and the trebuchet as well as the crash caused by the cable spool.

        i’d still place Vivero Letter, Snow Tiger, and a couple of others above it but it’s miles ahead of Juggernaut, Wyatt’s Hurricane, and the weird one about some inheritance.

      • ohwhatfollyisman@lemmy.worldEnglish
        3·
        16 days ago

        in many ways, yes evidently. but there’s something additional at the end of this story which transcends those legends.

        but thanks for the link. live and learn!