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Aquisition civilization uncovered across Amazon via LiDAR survey
Researchers led by Martti Pärssinen of the University of Helsinki, together with Brazilian scientists, carried out more than 4,400 km of airborne LiDAR surveys over Brazil’s Acre and Amazonas states. The laser scans identified 432 earthwork structures—up from only 36 previously recorded—and suggest a total of 24,000‑30,000 similar monuments across roughly 183,000 sq km of rainforest.
These earthworks are geometric ditches, embankments and ceremonial complexes, not permanent settlements or defensive forts. The LiDAR data revealed about five times more features than satellite imagery could detect, prompting a major revision of Amazonian pre‑Columbian history. The Aquisition civilization, which flourished from around 600 BCE to 850 CE, may have supported between 1.25 million and 3 million people at its peak (100‑300 CE). The findings challenge the long‑held view that the Amazon was a sparsely populated wilderness before European contact and highlight the civilization’s significant impact on regional ecology and land use.
Entities
Acre (Brazil) · Amazon rainforest · Amazonas (Brazil) · Aquiry civilization · Aquiry civilization · Aquisition civilization · Brazil · Martti Pärssinen · University of Helsinki
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 6 SOURCES] The earthworks are geometric ditches, embankments and ceremonial complexes, not permanent settlements. www.heritagedaily.com · www.anthropology.net · www.juruaemtempo.com.br · oaltoacre.com · www.techritual.com · +1 more
- [● 6 SOURCES] Researchers estimate the total number of earthworks to be between 24,000 and 30,000 across about 183,000 sq km. www.heritagedaily.com · www.juruaemtempo.com.br · www.anthropology.net · oaltoacre.com · www.techritual.com · +1 more
- [● 6 SOURCES] The study was led by Martti Pärssinen of the University of Helsinki, in partnership with Brazilian researchers, and published in Nature. www.juruaemtempo.com.br · www.heritagedaily.com · www.anthropology.net · oaltoacre.com · www.techritual.com · +1 more
- [● 6 SOURCES] The LiDAR survey identified 432 earthwork structures, up from 36 previously recorded. www.heritagedaily.com · www.juruaemtempo.com.br · www.anthropology.net · oaltoacre.com · www.techritual.com · +1 more
- [● 6 SOURCES] At its peak (around 100‑300 CE) the civilization may have supported 1.25 million to 3 million people. www.heritagedaily.com · www.juruaemtempo.com.br · www.anthropology.net · oaltoacre.com · www.techritual.com · +1 more
- [● 6 SOURCES] LiDAR revealed about five times more earthworks than satellite imagery alone. www.heritagedaily.com · www.anthropology.net · www.juruaemtempo.com.br · oaltoacre.com · www.techritual.com · +1 more
- [● 6 SOURCES] The Aquisition civilization existed from roughly 600 BCE to 850 CE. www.heritagedaily.com · www.anthropology.net · www.juruaemtempo.com.br · oaltoacre.com · www.techritual.com · +1 more
- [● 6 SOURCES] Researchers conducted over 4,400 km of airborne LiDAR surveys over Acre and Amazonas in Brazil. www.heritagedaily.com · www.juruaemtempo.com.br · www.anthropology.net · oaltoacre.com · www.techritual.com · +1 more