A graduate student analyzing drone data in Campeche, Mexico, discovered a vast ancient Mayan city, named “Valeriana,” hidden beneath the jungle.

The site, covering an area 1.5 times the size of Washington, D.C., contains 6,674 structures, including pyramids similar to those found at Chichén Itzá and Tikal.

This significant find was made using LiDAR (light detection and ranging) technology, which penetrates dense foliage to reveal previously unseen historical layers.

Researchers estimate Valeriana may have housed 30,000 to 50,000 people before its collapse around 800 to 1000 A.D., likely due to climate change and overpopulation, NBC News has reported.

The discovery highlights the potential for more archaeological research using advanced mapping technologies in remote regions.

Written by B.C. Begley