A remarkable discovery has been made in the Amazon rainforest, revealing an ancient city concealed for millennia by dense vegetation. This finding significantly alters our understanding of historical human settlement in the Amazon.
In the Upano area of eastern Ecuador, archaeologists have unearthed a sophisticated urban civilization, featuring houses, plazas, and an intricate network of roads and canals. This area, situated near a volcano, benefitted from fertile soils but also faced potential destruction due to volcanic activity.
Contrary to previous beliefs that the Amazon was inhabited only by nomadic tribes or small settlements, this discovery indicates a complex, urban society. Professor Stephen Rostain from the National Centre for Scientific Research in France, who led the research, emphasizes that this challenges our Eurocentric views of civilization and culture. Co-author Antoine Dorison echoes this sentiment, pointing out that the discovery contradicts the stereotypical image of ancient Amazonian cultures as simplistic and primitive.
The city, dating back to around 2,500 years ago, was inhabited for up to a millennium. While it is challenging to estimate the population at its peak, researchers suggest it could have ranged from tens to hundreds of thousands of people.
Ground excavations were combined with aerial laser sensor surveys across a 300 sq km area, revealing the city’s remnants beneath the dense forest canopy. Using LiDAR technology, archaeologists identified about 6,000 rectangular platforms, each measuring around 20 by 10 meters and 2-3 meters in height. These platforms, often arranged around plazas with a central platform, were likely used for both residential and ceremonial purposes. One notable site, Kilamope, includes a platform measuring 140 by 40 meters.
The researchers found a network of straight roads and paths connecting many of these platforms, with some roads extending over 25 kilometers. Dr. Dorison highlighted the sophistication of this road network, noting its impressive straightness and connectivity.
Evidence of water management was also discovered, including causeways and canals, which were likely crucial in a region with abundant water. Signs of defensive measures were observed, such as ditches blocking entrances to settlements, possibly indicating threats from neighboring groups.
This discovery, following 25 years of research and building on initial findings from the 1970s, reveals a civilization that may rival the size and complexity of well-known societies like the Mayans. Professor José Iriarte of the University of Exeter, not involved in the research, noted the uniqueness of the architectural and societal structures compared to other South American civilizations.
The societies were evidently organized and interconnected, as seen in the extensive road networks linking settlements. While much remains unknown about the inhabitants and their lifestyle, artifacts such as pits, hearths, jars, grinding stones, and burnt seeds have been found. The people likely engaged in agriculture, consuming maize and sweet potatoes and possibly brewing a sweet beer known as “chicha.”
Prof. Rostain, initially discouraged from pursuing this research, expresses satisfaction at uncovering such a significant civilization. The team’s next goal is to explore an adjoining 300 sq km area that remains unsurveyed.
