On August 16, 2026, news broke about new discoveries concerning the Aquiry civilization in southwest Amazonia. Thanks to cutting-edge aerial imagery and laser scanning technology, more details have come to light. Led by emeritus professor Martti Pärssinen from the University of Helsinki, this research could fundamentally alter our historical understanding of the Amazon region.
Researchers have uncovered traces of a civilization that spanned over 1,500 years and may have supported up to 3 million people. Aerial images revealed geometric earthworks, straight roads, and vast ceremonial centers linked to the Aquiry civilization. This society occupied approximately 183,000 square kilometers between 600 BCE and 850 CE.
Over 400 well-preserved ceremonial structures have been documented, and extrapolations suggest there could have been more than 20,000 such centers across the area. The largest complex covers 50 hectares. Radiocarbon dating indicates that between 1.25 million and 3 million people lived in the Aquiry region at the beginning of the first millennium.
The Aquiry civilization significantly impacted the Amazon environment, transforming surrounding forests to establish communities and produce food. They burned bamboo-dominated areas to cultivate maize, squash, and cassava and to create space for ceremonial centers and wide connecting roads. The Aquiry communities also actively managed useful tree species, contributing to the region's biocultural history.
The use of LiDAR technology allowed researchers to map through dense vegetation, uncovering traces of thousands of ancient constructions. Approximately 4,500 square kilometers were scanned to systematically evaluate Aquiry earthworks.
The structures within the Aquiry civilization's territory vary in size, shape, and construction methods, reflecting the region's diverse geographical and cultural features. According to indigenous oral traditions, these centers served to maintain inter-community relations and were venues for political decisions and displays of leadership generosity.
Researchers still have much to learn about the Aquiry civilization, including the languages they spoke and the names they used. The reason for the civilization's sudden decline around 850 CE remains unknown, paralleling the unexpected collapse of the classic Maya civilization in Central America.
The findings not only reshape our historical understanding of the region but could also influence future climate models by considering the impacts on carbon production and balance in ancient Amazonia.
Image source: ScitechDaily
Sources:
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