#ancientcities

Exploring the Ancient Cities of Syria – Timeless Ruins and Historic Wonders

Starting a tour Cusco Machu Picchu means walking into a living museum. Cusco breathes history through narrow streets and ancient stone walls, making it the perfect beginning for a journey toward the Andes.

From the Sacred Valley to cloud-covered cliffs, the landscapes feel like paintings unfolding in real time. Every bridge, forest, and river seems to carry echoes of civilizations long gone yet strangely present.

When you finally see the citadel, everything becomes silent just mountains, wind, and stone. And somehow, that silence speaks louder than words ever could.

Step into the timeless beauty of Polonnaruwa and have a memorable experience with Hotel Sudu Araliya, where ancient ruins whisper secrets from centuries past. Every stone has a story.

Immerse yourself in the exquisite interior of La Maison Arabe, where traditional Moroccan craftsmanship meets modern luxury. Each space is adorned with intricate details, rich textures, and elegant furnishings, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. #LaMaisonArabe #ExquisiteInterior

A remarkable ancient Maya city, now named Valeriana, has been uncovered deep in the jungles of Campeche, Mexico, centuries after it vanished beneath the foliage.

Using Lidar technology, which employs laser mapping to reveal structures hidden under vegetation, archaeologists discovered pyramids, sports fields, causeways, and amphitheaters. Valeriana, believed to be one of the most densely populated Maya sites after Calakmul, showcases the advanced urban planning of the ancient civilization.

The discovery, which spans an area comparable to Edinburgh, was made almost by chance. Luke Auld-Thomas, a PhD student at Tulane University, stumbled upon a laser survey conducted by a Mexican environmental organization while browsing online. Intrigued, he analyzed the data and uncovered the remnants of a vast city that may have supported a population of 30,000 to 50,000 during its peak from 750 to 850 AD.

Named after a nearby lagoon, Valeriana challenges preconceived notions that the tropical regions of Latin America were devoid of thriving civilizations. Professor Marcello Canuto, a co-author of the research, emphasizes that this area was home to sophisticated cultures, contrary to the belief that it was where “civilizations went to die.”

While the exact reasons for Valeriana's decline remain unclear, climate change is suspected to have played a significant role. The city features distinct elements of a capital, with its buildings concentrated in two main centers about 2 km apart, linked by residential areas and causeways.

Despite its proximity to a major road near Xpujil, the site had never been documented before; locals may have suspected ruins existed beneath the earth mounds. Valeriana encompasses 16.6 square kilometers and includes plazas with temple pyramids, ancient ball courts, and evidence of reservoirs, indicating a well-supported population.

In total, the researchers identified 6,764 structures across three distinct sites, highlighting the densely settled landscape of the ancient Maya. This finding supports the idea that Maya societies were complex urban centers rather than isolated villages.

The study suggests that the Maya civilization's collapse from 800 AD onward may have been exacerbated by overpopulation and climate challenges. Auld-Thomas notes that this landscape was densely populated just as drought conditions began, leading to societal strain.

Furthermore, the region’s history of warfare and Spanish conquest in the 16th century contributed to the downfall of Maya city-states.

The advent of Lidar technology has transformed archaeological practices in densely forested areas, allowing for the discovery of lost civilizations. Prof. Canuto remarks that the use of Lidar has mapped significantly more area in recent years than traditional methods achieved in a century.

Auld-Thomas expresses excitement about the potential for more undiscovered sites, noting that the sheer number of newfound locations exceeds current archaeological resources. “I have to visit Valeriana; it’s so accessible, but whether we can conduct a project there remains uncertain,” he adds.