Valeriana
Valeriana is a Mayan archaeological site in the Mexican state of Campeche, in a tropical rainforest jungle near the border with Quintana Roo. Its discovery was announced in October 2024, and the site was named after a nearby lake.
Valeriana was buried under layers of foliage in the dense jungles of Campeche and lost to time.
Valeriana has been revealed as one of the largest cities of the ancient Mayan world. Valeriana, the city remained hidden for centuries, but recent technological advances and good fortune have brought it back into the spotlight.
Valeriana covers an enormous 16 sq km and contains over 6,400 man-made structures. At its peak, the city is estimated to have supported a population of over 30,000 people, with its heyday dating back to between 750 and 850 CE.
The discovery was largely by chance, using LiDAR (light detection and ranging) technology.
Lidar creates highly detailed maps by using laser light to measure distances, revealing hidden structures beneath dense vegetation. The technology has already led to numerous groundbreaking archaeological discoveries in recent years.
But the breakthrough was not due to Lidar alone.
The student at Tulane University, Luke Old-Thomas, stumbled upon a 2013 previously ignored LiDAR map. While browsing the research, he noticed something unusual that had been overlooked – a lost city, long forgotten by time.
Uncovering Valeriana
Named after a nearby pond, Valeriana is a sprawling urban area with two main centers rich in monumental architecture, including large pyramids. The centers are located about a mile apart.
The larger of the two centers shows all the hallmarks of a major political capital from 250 to 900, with ceremonial sites and a ball court. Surrounding the main city are signs of rural villages, agricultural areas, and smaller settlements.
At first glance, the site appears to be a series of burial mounds.
Local farmers have long suspected that there may be ruins beneath them. Remarkably, many of these farmers planted crops directly on top of the ancient structures, unaware of the historical significance beneath their feet.
The site has remained largely untouched and unknown.
The size and significance of Valeriana
Scientists believe it may be the second-largest Maya settlement after Calakmul. The discovery promises to deepen our understanding of the ancient Maya, known for their architecture, urban planning, and agricultural innovations.
One of the key aspects the researchers aim to study is the city’s hydraulic engineering. The inhabitants of Valeriana would have had to develop sophisticated systems to collect and drain rainwater, as the region lacks significant sources of surface water.
The discovery adds to a growing body of evidence that the Maya were not only great builders but also pioneers in sustainable resource management and agricultural practices.
The role of LiDAR in Maya research
LiDAR technology has already revealed a complex network of Maya roads hidden beneath the jungle canopy, and the researchers are now aiming to use it to further understand the urban layout of Valeriana.
The architecture and infrastructure of the site suggest that the Maya were capable of designing highly organized cities with a high degree of urban complexity.
The archaeological community works to study and document the site. Discussions are already underway with local communities to establish a protective perimeter around the archaeological site and prevent potential looting.
A look to the future
The rediscovery of Valeriana highlights the important role that modern technologies play in uncovering the secrets of ancient civilizations. There is a need to develop the resources and expertise needed to understand and protect these sites.
As interest in the Maya civilization continues to grow, studying sites like Valeriana will further our understanding of their complex societies and their impact on the development of cities and infrastructure across the Americas.
Let us know if this article was useful for you