An ancient civilization of millions once flourished in the Amazon

An ancient civilization of millions once flourished in the Amazon A new study has uncovered evidence of a vast, complex society that thrived in the southwestern Amazon region over 2,000 years ago. Researchers working in the state of Acre, Brazil, have discovered that the Aquiry civilization, which existed between 600 BCE and 850 CE, supported a population of up to three million people. The findings, published in Nature, challenge previous assumptions about the demographic scale and environmental impact of pre-Columbian societies in the Amazon. Using airborne laser scanning, scientists mapped nearly 4,500 square kilometers of dense rainforest, revealing thousands of previously unknown structures. These included massive ceremonial centers, extensive road networks, and agricultural terraces. The survey focused on the Fazenda Atlântica archaeological site, located in the Acre region, and extended across a vast area encompassing much of the western Amazon basin. The data suggests that the Aquiry civilization occupied approximately 183,000 square kilometers, an expanse larger than many modern nations, and constructed over 400 major monuments. The research team estimated that the Aquiry’s territory, which constitutes less than 3% of the entire Amazon region, housed between 1.25 and 3 million inhabitants at the beginning of the first millennium CE. This figure significantly exceeds earlier estimates, which had placed the total population of the Amazon at between one and ten million. The discovery implies that the Amazon may have once supported tens of millions of people, reshaping historical narratives about indigenous populations in the region. The Aquiry people engineered their environment through sophisticated land-use practices. They cleared bamboo forests to create fields for crops such as maize, squash, and manioc, while also constructing monumental ceremonial sites. Their efforts transformed the landscape, promoting the growth of economically and culturally significant tree species. Evidence suggests they cultivated plants like the Brazil nut tree, peach palm, and others, which continue to play vital roles in the region’s ecology and economy today. The study highlights the extent of human influence on the Amazon’s ecosystem. By modifying the terrain and managing plant life, the Aquiry altered the region’s carbon dynamics, potentially affecting local and even global climate patterns. Researchers emphasize that this knowledge must be integrated into future climate modeling efforts to better understand the long-term impacts of human activity on tropical environments. LiDAR technology played a crucial role in uncovering the Aquiry’s legacy. The scans, conducted by teams from Finland and Brazil, revealed intricate patterns of earthworks that had remained hidden beneath centuries of foliage. The technique enabled researchers to identify large geometric formations, straight roads, and other structures that suggest a highly organized society. The survey covered more than half of the studied area, with systematic assessments carried out over a distance of around 450 kilometers. Professor Juha Hyyppä, who oversaw the technical aspects of the project, explained that the team employed a methodical approach to ensure comprehensive coverage. They flew parallel lines of flight paths, each approximately one kilometer wide, spaced every 10 kilometers. This strategy allowed them to capture detailed images of the landscape, revealing the remnants of a civilization that had once dominated the region. The findings align with indigenous oral traditions that describe the Aquiry as builders of communal spaces designed to strengthen social bonds and facilitate governance. These sites appear to have served multiple functions, including religious ceremonies, political deliberations, and community gatherings. The presence of such structures underscores the complexity of the Aquiry’s societal organization and its deep connection to the natural world. As researchers continue to analyze the data, further insights into the Aquiry’s culture, trade networks, and interactions with neighboring groups are expected. The study represents a major breakthrough in understanding the pre-Columbian Amazon, offering a glimpse into a civilization that once shaped the region’s landscape and ecosystems.