Amazonian Geoglyphs Reveal Lost Civilization's Massive Scale

A new archaeological study in southwestern Amazonia reveals a long-lost civilization that may have supported between 1.25 million and 3 million people over nearly 1,500 years.

The Aquiry civilization, which existed between 600 BCE and 850 CE, is estimated to have occupied around 183,000 square kilometers of land and left behind a vast network of earthworks, roads, and ceremonial centers.

Using airborne laser scanning technology, researchers uncovered over 400 well-preserved examples of monumental architecture, including large geometric formations and straight roads.

The study's findings suggest that the Aquiry civilization had a profound impact on the region's environment, with evidence showing they actively managed tree species, cultivated gardens, and created fields for crops such as maize and squash.