Discover how LiDAR technology is uncovering lost cities in Fiji. Learn how GIS mapping and Light Detection and Ranging are rewriting history and archaeology.
LiDAR is more than just a sensor—it’s a digital time machine that makes the invisible visible, revealing that what we think of as untouched wilderness was often a highly organized, bustling landscape.
latest discoveries made with lidar
LiDAR, which stands for Light Detection and Ranging, acts as a digital form of X-ray vision for modern archaeologists and geographers. By using sensors mounted on drones or aircraft, it can penetrate dense jungle canopies, such as those in the Amazon or Fiji, to reveal hidden structures on the ground. This technology allows researchers to filter out thick vegetation and see ancient patterns, interconnected pathways, and lost cities that are invisible to the naked eye.
Recent discoveries in the Suva and Rewa regions of Fiji have revealed massive ancient sites previously hidden by nature. Using data from the Moana Data Service, researchers identified perfect circles and complex pathways that indicate significant human settlements. These findings are completely rewriting what we know about Fiji history, proving that entire cities have remained hidden for centuries right under the dense forest canopy until this digital mapping technology was applied.
Leo Vanualailai is a GIS officer who played a crucial role in identifying ancient sites in Fiji. While analyzing newly released data from the Moana Data Service, he spotted unnatural patterns in the landscape that suggested human construction. By using GIS mapping and LiDAR technology to filter out the forest, he was able to uncover the 'aha!' moment where interconnected pathways and circular structures emerged from the dirt, leading to the identification of lost cities.
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