Lidar works by beaming a laser from a hand-held scanner from an airplane or up-close. The technology creates a virtual 3D map of the area, omitting the vegetation and leaving only the topography of the area. “There are entire cities we didn’t know about now showing up in the survey data,” said archaeologist Francisco Estrada-Belli, one of the leading scientists with the Foundation for Maya Cultural and Natural Heritage (Pacunam) which launched the project.
The new data also found thousands of residential homes, which helped scientists understand that the population of the territory was 11 million, nine million more than previously estimated. This puts the Maya on the same level as ancient Egyptian and ancient Chinese civilizations, both in terms of their population and level of advancement.
These Common Words Began as Mistakes - Unbelievable!
Some spelling and grammar mistakes change a student’s grade for the worse, others transform the language forever.
Ever Wonder What People Were Like Thousands of Years Ago?
Some of these ancient faces frown and others smile, but together they tell the fascinating history of humanity.
Constellations: Ancient Stories Hidden in the Night Sky
Have you ever wondered how constellations got their names? These stories from Ancient Greece reveal the mythology behind 8 prominent constellations in the sky.
10 Ancient Ruin Sites In America and Mexico
For ancient history lovers: travel to these 10 ancient ruins in the USA and Mexico.
Things You Don’t Know About History’s Famous Artifacts
Wow, history really is an endless treasure trove of knowledge!
An In-Depth Look at Palenque, Mexico in 4K
Palenque was once a flourishing city in the Mayan Empire. Take a close look at the Mesoamerican architectural marvel in this 4K video.
14 Life-Changing Inventions Inspired by Nature
Nature is ever the greatest inspiration for science, and these 14 life-changing inventions are proof.
Fascinating Science: How Old Can We Actually Get?
All things being equal, and technology continually progressing - How old can a human body really get?
Wow! This Sunken Ship is the Holy Grail of Shipwrecks!
Scientists have finally revealed that they have found the Spanish galleon San José, which reportedly has around $17 billion worth of treasure aboard.
14 of the Most Fascinating Specialized Tools You'll See
We bet you haven’t seen these unique tools before!
6 Shocking Truths About Coffee You Never Knew
Have you been believing these common coffee myths too?
Can Cooling Technologies Save Phoenix From EXTREME Heat?
Phoenix, America's hottest city, may have found the most innovative answer to beat extreme heat!
Explore the Most Bizarre Planets We've Discovered So Far
The search for stars, planets, and extraterrestrial life has led to quite a number of extraordinary discoveries, and here are 10 of the strangest!
Strange Matter: The Most Dangerous Stuff in the Universe
All about the strange matter and why it's both dangerous and full of promising knowledge.
Are These Vintage Kitchen Gadgets Any Good?
Will any of the vintage kitchen gadgets stand the test of time or outperform their contemporary alternatives?
Space is Creepy - 6 Terrifying Astronomical Findings
From wandering black holes to geomagnetic storms, these are some of the scariest space phenomena ever known.
These Inventions Prove the Middle Ages Were Not So “Dark”
These groundbreaking inventions prove the Middle Ages were not so “dark,” after all!
What Resolution Does the Human Eye Have?
In what resolution do our eyes see? We know that of our screen, but is our own resolution much higher?
19 Everyday Items That Started as Military Inventions
Look around your home, and you’ll surely find a handful of these items that were originally developed for the armed forces.
10 Incredible Animal-Inspired Robots
Let's meet some incredibly realistic robotic animals.
Can Your Brain Get to Grips with These Weird Illusions?
I could have sworn what I was seeing in this video was real! But it wasn't. It was all just an illusion.
8 Lies We've Been Told About Electricity
These incorrect facts about electricity have been perpetuated long enough. It's time to disprove them.
Pull the Plug on These Electricity Myths
As storm season is officially here, we equip you with safety facts and some myths about electricity.
Amazing! This is How Color-Blind People See the World
Ever wondered what life looks like to someone who is color blind? If so, all is revealed in this illustrative video.
The Rise and Fall of BlackBerry: A Fascinating Story
Remember not too long back almost everyone had a BlackBerry? So, what exactly happened to it?
Fascinating: Do You See the Same Colors As I Do?
This video will discuss the age old questions: do we see the same colors others see?
A Fascinating Video Helps You Understand the Science of Skin
A fascinating video explaining how our skin came to take on so many different hues.
How Do Brain Scans Work? All Is Revealed Here!
How do we study living brains without harming their owners? In this TED-Ed video, Elizabther Waters and John Borghi explains how PETs, EEGs, and fMRIs work.
THIS is the True Shape of the Universe...
Find out why the vast majority of the universe we inhabit is made up of empty space in this informative and well-researched video.
Scary Stories: 11 of the World's Creepiest Experiments
Truth is stranger than fiction, and this can be said for occurrences in the scientific world too. Here are 11 of the world's creepiest experiments
Fascinating: Do Plants Think?
Can plants actually think or are they as dumb as a rock? Find out!
How Exactly Do We Hear? All is Revealed Here!
In this informative TED-Ed video, Douglas L. Oliver explains the complete science behind hearing.
Living on Another Planet: What Would It Be Like?
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live on another planet? If so, read on to find out more!
The McGurk Effect - Don't Believe Your Eyes!
What we hear can be affected by what we see...
Revolutionize Your Green Space: 12 Cool Garden Gadgets
Take your garden to the next level with the amazingly cool inventions and gadgets.
This Bionic Hand Has Unheard-of Grip Strength and Utility
Designed by Esper, this smart bionic hand has unheard-of grip strength and functionality. Check out this incredible demonstration of its capabilities!
Watch This Scientist Answer Some Fun Science Questions
In this video, scientist Bill Nye answers some interesting science questions.
6 Chemical Reactions that Changed the Course of History
Although we rarely pay much attention to the chemistry that constantly surrounds us, these 6 reactions changed history.
Was There a Time a Day Lasted 10 Hours?
Eons ago, before the dinosaurs ever evolved, there was primordial life on Earth. What did it look like?
20 Emerging Technologies That Will Change the World
Join us as we discover the world and enhance the worlds of science and technology.
16 Interesting Things We Bet You've Never Seen Before
Once we have finished school and learned all the necessary skills at work, it may seem that no further studying is necessary. 16 interesting photos you wish you had seen in textbooks at school.
Are You a Late Sleeper? This Super Video Explains Why
Why is it that some people are late risers, and some are morning people? It's all down to our genetics. Have a look here to find out more.
These Fire Tricks Will Wow You, But Don't Try Them!
These fire tricks are incredible to look at, but please don't try this at home...
An Astronomical Event That TRULLY Won't Happen Again
This comet will only pass the Earth once. See it now before it's too late!
Scientists Finally Know Why We Love Cute Things
We find some things to be irresistibly cute. But why? Let’s find out.
Now That's a Fun Experiment to Do With Kids.
This is great parenting and a great way to teaching your kids and keeping them interested.
Logic vs. Emotion: Why Facts Don't Change Our Minds
It’s time we admitted that humans are not rational creatures. What, then, motivates us, if not the cold, hard facts?