LiDAR Technology: Uncovering Lost Civilizations and Hidden Landscapes

LiDAR Technology: Uncovering Lost Civilizations and Hidden Landscapes

Sub : Sci and Tech

Sec : Awareness in IT

Why in News

Scientists recently uncovered a lost Mayan city, obscured for centuries by dense Mexican jungles, using LiDAR technology. This discovery highlights LiDAR’s transformative role in archaeology, enabling researchers to reveal hidden settlements without disturbing natural landscapes.

What is LiDAR?

Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) is a remote sensing system that employs light in the form of pulsed lasers to measure variable distances from the sensor to Earth’s surface. Mounted on aircraft, it enables the mapping of detailed topographies and is highly effective in creating high-resolution, 3D models.

How LiDAR Works: LiDAR systems consist of three main components:

• Laser: Emits rapid laser pulses towards the ground.
• Scanner: Directs the laser and gathers reflected pulses.
• GPS Receiver: Assists in locating the precise position of the sensor.

Data Collection Process:The laser pulses strike various features on the ground, including vegetation and structures.

Reflected light is captured by the sensor, and the time taken for each pulse to return is calculated.

Using GPS and Inertial Measurement System (IMS) data, the elevation and coordinates of each point are mapped.

This process generates a point cloud representing the surface features, which can be filtered to produce a “bare earth” Digital Elevation Model (DEM), isolating the natural ground surface from vegetation and structures.

Applications of LiDAR:LiDAR provides precise 3D information about Earth’s surface, benefiting multiple fields:

Geography: Produces high-resolution topographic maps.

Urban Planning: Assists in infrastructure planning and hazard analysis.

Conservation: Aids in forest monitoring and ecosystem mapping.

Engineering: Supports detailed construction planning and geological surveys.

Discovery of the Lost Mayan City, Valeriana:

Archaeologist Luke Auld-Thomas utilized LiDAR data, initially collected for forest monitoring, to reveal a lost Mayan city named Valeriana in the Campeche region of Mexico.

Key features of Valeriana include:

Multiple Plazas: Enclosed areas likely used for gatherings.

Causeways: Wide, ancient roadways connecting parts of the city.

Temple Pyramids: Sacred structures indicating religious importance.

Ballcourt: A facility for the Mesoamerican ballgame, a ritualistic sport.

Reservoirs: Dams created to manage seasonal water flows.