LiDAR uncovers extensive pre‑Hispanic road network in Colombian Amazon

A study using airborne LiDAR scanning has mapped a vast system of pre‑Hispanic roads, platforms, ceremonial mounds and other constructions hidden beneath the dense canopy of the Colombian Amazon. The high‑resolution 3‑D maps show straight, elevated pathways that linked settlement clusters, agricultural zones, religious sites and exchange areas, indicating a level of planning and regional integration far beyond the traditional view of the rainforest as populated only by small, dispersed groups.

Researchers say the discovery reshapes understanding of ancient Amazonian societies, suggesting complex political, economic and religious networks existed long before European contact. The LiDAR method allowed the team to visualize the terrain without invasive excavation, preserving the fragile ecosystem while revealing the hidden infrastructure.

The findings provide new evidence for sophisticated indigenous engineering and social organization, prompting a reevaluation of the region’s archaeological record.