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Finding Lost Cities with Technology — Reading Comprehension

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This passage explores the revolutionary impact of modern technology, specifically drones and satellites, on the field of archaeology and the discovery of lost ancient cities. Students will learn how remote sensing tools help archaeologists uncover ruins beneath dense forests and deserts, providing new insights into ancient civilizations such as the Maya and Egyptians. The passage includes primary source examples, cause-and-effect analysis, and discusses the significance of these discoveries for understanding human history and cultural development. Activities include a multiple-choice quiz, writing prompts, graphic organizers, and a timeline to support critical thinking. This history reading passage is accompanied by a Spanish translation, read aloud audio, and aligns with CA HSS 6.2, 6.4 and CCSS RI.6-8.

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[Monument of the ancient Mayan race, Quirigua, Guatemala].
Source: Library of Congress

Archaeologists today use advanced technologies like drones and satellites to discover lost cities hidden under forests, deserts, and even modern towns. These tools have changed how scientists study ancient civilizations, making it possible to see beneath the surface without digging. Drones, which are small remote-controlled flying devices, can take high-resolution photographs from above. Satellites, orbiting far above Earth, use lasers and special cameras to detect changes in the landscape that may indicate buried ruins.

One of the most important breakthroughs in recent years came from the use of LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) sensors. In 2016, archaeologists working in Guatemala used LiDAR on drones and airplanes to scan the jungles surrounding the ancient Maya city of Tikal. The data they collected revealed thousands of unknown structures, including temples, roads, and houses, completely covered by thick vegetation. This discovery proved that Maya civilization was much larger and more complex than previously believed. The LiDAR images also showed a network of causeways connecting different city-states, suggesting sophisticated planning and cooperation among the Maya people.

In Egypt, satellites have helped uncover the outlines of ancient cities buried beneath the sand. Archaeologist Sarah Parcak, sometimes called a “space archaeologist,” used satellite imagery to identify the remains of the city of Tanis in 2011. Her team discovered evidence of streets, houses, and even temples that had been lost for thousands of years. Satellite images can pick up slight differences in soil color and moisture, which often mark the locations of buried ruins. This technology has also been used in Iraq to map the lost city of Lagash, showing how remote sensing can be applied in different geographic environments.

The use of drones and satellites has changed the way archaeologists work. In the past, finding a lost city required months or years of fieldwork, digging, and sometimes pure luck. Now, researchers can scan large areas quickly and decide exactly where to excavate. This saves time, resources, and helps protect fragile sites from unnecessary damage. It also allows scientists to make new discoveries without disturbing the daily lives of people living nearby. However, archaeologists must still interpret the data carefully and support their findings with traditional excavation and historical records.

Discovering lost cities with modern technology helps us understand the past and the achievements of ancient civilizations. It changes our view of history by revealing how people adapted to their environments, organized their societies, and built impressive monuments. These findings add to our knowledge of human development, social hierarchy, and the connections between different cultures.

This topic links to the broader theme of how technological advances shape our understanding of history and human societies.

Interesting Fact: In 2020, LiDAR helped scientists find more than 60,000 ancient Maya structures hidden under the Guatemalan jungle canopy.

What tool uses lasers to map the ground?

LiDARCompassShovelThermometer

Where did drones reveal hidden Maya structures?

GuatemalaEgyptIraqGreece

Who is called a 'space archaeologist'?

Sarah ParcakHoward CarterIndiana JonesJane Goodall

Why are satellites useful for archaeology?

They see soil changesThey dig fasterThey find goldThey build houses

How has technology changed archaeology?

It speeds discoveriesIt slows down workIt only finds goldIt destroys sites