The Maya civilization reached an estimated population of up to 16 million people at its peak around 1,400 years ago, according to a study. This figure suggests a much more densely populated picture of the Maya civilization than previously believed, where estimates were around 11 million. The findings provide insights into the intricate social organization of the Maya people.
The research, led by Francisco Estrada-Belli from the Tulane University Institute for Research in Central America, utilized LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology to uncover vast networks of structures hidden under dense vegetation. This technology, which used laser pulses from aircraft, revealed a complex web of buildings, roads, and agricultural systems that indicated a far greater degree of human activity than earlier models suggested.
"We expected a modest increase in population estimates from our 2018 lidar analysis, but seeing a 45% jump was truly surprising," expressed Estrada-Belli, according to El Confidencial. The study's findings challenged previous perceptions, portraying the Maya civilization not just as isolated city-states but as interconnected and densely populated regions.
Aerial lidar scans unveiled thousands of previously unseen structures, revealing that almost all buildings identified were located within three miles of a central plaza. The presence of these plazas indicated a pattern of social organization where both urban and rural communities could access civic and religious life. Rural populations appeared to participate in broader civic activities just like their urban counterparts, integrating more than previously assumed in the cultural and political fabric of Maya society. This discovery supported the assertion that even non-elite rural communities were integral to the broader civic and religious life, reflecting the level of social organization in the Maya civilization.
Ruins mapped by lidar technology provided crucial clues about the population density and distribution patterns of the Maya civilization. The research covered an area of 95,000 square kilometers, encompassing the Guatemalan department of Petén, western Belize, and the Mexican states of Campeche and Quintana Roo. These findings not only augmented the population figures but also presented the Maya Lowlands as urbanized environments, contrary to the earlier view of scattered villages encircling larger cities.
"We are convinced that this discovery, made with the help of lidar technologies, actually gives us the most accurate picture of ancient Maya settlements," stated Estrada-Belli, expressing satisfaction with these new insights.
The cultural and residential heartbeat of the Maya civilization beats anew with this research, situating the Maya Lowlands as dense, urban hubs. Structures were clustered near plazas, controlled by elites, serving as focal points for community life, a testament to an organizational structure overseeing urban and rural areas alike.
The Maya civilization, peaking between 250 and 900 CE, was recognized for its monumental architecture and agricultural practices. However, the new findings confirmed it was a society more advanced in social and resource organization than previously understood. Some scholars speculate that resource depletion, climate change, or political unrest might have played a role in its collapse, offering fertile ground for future research.
Today, approximately eight million Maya descendants continue to reside in southern Mexico and Central America, preserving the legacy of one of history's greatest civilizations.
Written with the help of a news-analysis system.