Jungle-penetrating lasers have revealed ruins of ancient cities hidden in the Amazon. The newly discovered civilization first appeared about 2,500 years ago with significant construction occurring between 500 BC and 600 AD.
The extensive network of cities consists of at least 15 distinct settlement sites of various sizes. The researchers describe the settlements as an example of "garden city-style urbanism," in which man-made structures were closely interwoven with agricultural plots, featuring extensive drainage systems and terraces.