What's happened
Recent archaeological discoveries have unveiled significant ancient cities in Central America and Central Asia. In Campeche, Mexico, a complex named Valeriana was found, revealing thousands of structures. Simultaneously, two medieval cities, Tugunbulak and Tashbulak, were uncovered in Uzbekistan's Tien Shan mountains, challenging previous notions of trade routes and urban development.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to the New York Times, the discovery of Valeriana in Campeche, Mexico, revealed a city with 'all the hallmarks of a Classic Maya political capital.' This contrasts with previous beliefs about Maya urbanization. The Independent noted that the use of Lidar technology has allowed archaeologists to uncover nearly 6,700 structures, emphasizing the density of the population in ancient times. Meanwhile, the BBC highlighted that the findings in Uzbekistan, particularly the cities Tugunbulak and Tashbulak, complicate the understanding of trade routes, suggesting that these high-altitude cities were significant centers of commerce and culture, not merely peripheral settlements. This aligns with the views expressed by Professor Marcello Canuto, who stated that the discoveries 'change the idea that the Tropics was where civilizations went to die.'
How we got here
The discoveries stem from advanced archaeological techniques, particularly Lidar technology, which allows researchers to map structures hidden beneath dense vegetation. This has led to significant findings in regions previously thought to be less populated during ancient times.
Common question
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What Do Recent Archaeological Discoveries in Central Asia Reveal?
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What Do Recent Discoveries of Ancient Cities in Central Asia Mean?
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What Ancient Cities Were Recently Discovered and What Do They Mean?
Recent archaeological discoveries in the Americas and Asia have unveiled ancient cities that challenge our understanding of historical trade routes and urban development. These findings raise intriguing questions about the civilizations that once thrived in these regions. Below, we explore the details of these discoveries and their implications.
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What Ancient Cities Were Recently Discovered and What Do They Mean?
Recent archaeological discoveries in Central America and Central Asia have unveiled ancient cities that challenge our understanding of historical trade routes and urban development. These findings not only shed light on the civilizations that once thrived in these regions but also highlight the advanced techniques used in modern archaeology. Below, we explore some common questions about these exciting discoveries.
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What Do Recent Discoveries of Ancient Cities in the Americas and Asia Reveal About Past Civilizations?
Recent archaeological discoveries in Central America and Central Asia have unveiled ancient cities that challenge our understanding of historical urbanization and trade. These findings raise intriguing questions about the cultures that thrived in these regions and their significance in the broader context of ancient history.
More on these topics
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Uzbekistan, officially the Republic of Uzbekistan, is a country in Central Asia. It is surrounded by five landlocked countries: Kazakhstan to the north; Kyrgyzstan to the northeast; Tajikistan to the southeast; Afghanistan to the south and Turkmenistan to
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Petra, originally known to its inhabitants as Raqmu or Raqēmō, is a historic and archaeological city in southern Jordan. It is adjacent to the mountain of Jabal Al-Madbah, in a basin surrounded by mountains forming the eastern flank of the Arabah valley
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Nature is a British weekly scientific journal founded and based in London, England. As a multidisciplinary publication, Nature features peer-reviewed research from a variety of academic disciplines, mainly in science and technology.