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Estimating Ancient Populations by Aerial Survey
American Scientist – William E. Carter, Ramesh Shrestha, and Juan C. Fernandez-Diaz
Using lasers on low-flying aircraft, archaeologists can map previously unexplored sites and calculate how many people may have inhabited them.
A Laser Revolution: How Lidar is Changing the Way We See the World
The Christian Science Monitor – Eva Botkin-Kowacki
"The use of the technology is definitely increasing," says Craig Glennie, an assistant professor of engineering at the University of Houston and principal investigator at the National…
Lidar Uncovers Thousands of New Maya Structures
Eos – Jenessa Duncombe
A team of 18 researchers has now mapped more than 61,000 structures in the Maya lowlands. How? Two words: airborne lidar.
Hidden Kingdoms of the Ancient Maya Revealed in a 3-D Laser Map
The New York Times – Nicholas St. Fleur
Hidden pyramids and massive fortresses in the jungle. Farms and canals scattered across swamplands. Highways traversing thickets of rain forest. These are among more than 61,000 ancient…
This UH Research Center Is Revolutionizing Archaeology
Houstonia – Dianna Wray
The year was 2012; the place, the Honduran rainforest. A small plane flew overhead, dangling an expensive pulsing laser over the dense, leafy canopy. Within just a few hours, Ramesh…
Maya Population Estimate Increase Too Hasty, UH Anthropologist Says
The Daily Cougar – C. McRae Peavy
Deep in the verdant tropical jungles of Guatemala, a joint research team, including a UH-based organization, used advanced technology to pierce the thick canopy and find ancient Mayan…
Maya Civilization
University of Houston
Researchers at the National Center for Airborne Laser Mapping, or NCALM, say the discovery of tens of thousands Maya structures (temples and houses), sophisticated agricultural systems and…
Tikal, Guatemala
The New York Times – Jacey Fortin
The project was started by Pacunam, a Guatemalan nonprofit organization, and carried out with help from the National Center for Airborne Laser Mapping, which is based at the University of…
Why Experts Believe Cheaper, Better Lidar is Right Around the Corner
Ars Technica – Timothy B. Lee
Lidar used to cost $75,000. Experts expect this to fall to less than $100.
Search for a Lost City
CBS News
It's been called the White City, or the City of the Monkey God – a lost ancient city that has fascinated adventure-seekers searching the jungles of Honduras for centuries. Most recently, a…