A recent study has significantly reshaped our understanding of Guiengola, a 15th-century Zapotec city in Oaxaca, Mexico, using – you guessed it – LiDAR!
Previously thought to be a military fortress, Guiengola has now been revealed as a sprawling fortified city covering 360 hectares, with over 1,100 structures. Dense jungle growth had long obscured the true scale of the site, but LiDAR’s ability to penetrate vegetation allowed researchers to map the entire urban layout efficiently. “Until very recently, there would have been no way for anyone to discover the full extent of the site without spending years on the ground walking and searching. We were able to do it within two hours by using remote sensing equipment and scanning from a plane,” explained lead archaeologist and researcher, Ramón Celis.
The research confirms that Guiengola was a developed city with temples, roads, and distinct residential zones. The layout suggests a complex, organized society, offering insights into daily life, governance, and political structure. Its strategic location and fortifications highlight its role in late 15th-century conflicts between the Zapotecs and the expanding Aztec Empire. Celis and his team are set for a fourth field season in Guiengola in which they will document the 1,170 structures identified by LiDAR. The project will not involve excavation, but rather will rely on other remote sensing techniques.
To read more about the discoveries at Guiengola, check out THIS ARTICLE from Archaeology News.
