Story perspectives

LIDAR Finds 396 New Amazon Earthworks, Reveals Massive Civilization

7/29/2026

Summary

Story summary

LIDAR surveys of 4,497 sq km Amazon rainforest uncovered 432 earthworks, 396 new.
The flights traced 450-km transects that showed earthworks and straight roads linking Acre sites.
Researchers estimate the Aquiry civilization built up to 30,000 earthworks, supporting 1.2-3 million people.
Archaeologists date the culture to 600 BCE–850 CE and note longhouses, maize fields, nut-bearing trees.
Pärssinen said the biggest unanswered question is why the civilization vanished between about 850 and 1000 CE.

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Story summary

LIDAR surveys of 4,497 sq km Amazon rainforest uncovered 432 earthworks, 396 new.
The flights traced 450-km transects that showed earthworks and straight roads linking Acre sites.
Researchers estimate the Aquiry civilization built up to 30,000 earthworks, supporting 1.2-3 million people.
Archaeologists date the culture to 600 BCE–850 CE and note longhouses, maize fields, nut-bearing trees.
Pärssinen said the biggest unanswered question is why the civilization vanished between about 850 and 1000 CE.