Imagine a world where towering cities thrived beneath the Amazon’s lush canopy – and we’re just now discovering their secrets! Using futuristic laser mapping tech called Lidar, researchers are peeling back layers of forest to reveal sprawling networks of ancient roads, farms, and settlements that challenge everything we thought about 'untouched' wilderness.
These Indigenous societies shaped the rainforest sustainably for over 1,000 years, creating 'forest gardens' still impacting biodiversity today. "They were climate engineers before hashtags existed," says Dr. Carla Barros, a lead archaeologist on the project.
Why does this matter now? As modern scientists race to protect the Amazon, these rediscovered techniques could hold blueprints for balancing ecosystems and human needs. Pro tip: Nature’s best climate solutions might be ancient history!
Reference(s):
cgtn.com