Uncovering Ancient Amazonian Civilizations Using Laser Technology
tip of the iceberg: the small visible part of something much bigger
Deep within the Amazon forest, ancient civilizations lie waiting to be uncovered. Recent research suggests that there might be more than 10,000 archaeological sites within it.
For more than 12,000 years, Indigenous societies have thrived in the Amazon. The full extent of these civilizations remain hidden. Why? The sheer size and dense trees of the Amazon have made surveys difficult.
Using LiDAR technology, researchers use lasers to see beneath the forest leaves. Using this method they have found 24 previously unknown human-made structures. IFL Science reports these structures include “villages, defensive and ceremonial structures, mountaintop settlements, and geoglyphs.”
However, that’s just the tip of the iceberg. They have only surveyed .08% of the Amazon. Researchers estimate there are between 10,272 and 23,648 large structures waiting to be found.
Sample sentences
1. We found five mistakes in the report, but that was just the tip of the iceberg; later, we discovered many more.
2. The introductory astronomy class taught us about our galaxy, but it’s only the tip of the iceberg. There’s so much more to learn.
3. She told me a bit about her life story, but I feel it was only the tip of the iceberg.
Read More:
Over 10,000 Ancient Human Structures Could Be Hidden In The Amazon Basin