Buzz
Various disciplines like medicine, geology, and seismology have made tremendous strides or achieved significant advancements thanks to lasers. Yet, it’s not only the scientific community that reaps the benefits. Archaeologists, too, are uncovering remarkable new finds with the aid of this technology.
10. Ancient Cambodian Cities
A recent discovery by archaeologists unearthed several previously unknown medieval cities and expansive agricultural systems near Angkor Wat and other temple complexes in Siem Reap, Cambodia. This finding is groundbreaking as it could potentially “rewrite history books and challenge” everything we understand about the Khmer Empire, including the true cause behind its mysterious downfall.
Moreover, the laser scans have shown that the ancient Khmer civilization was far more technologically sophisticated than we once thought. They had already developed a detailed network of irrigation canals and dams to redirect water flow, four centuries earlier than experts previously believed such technologies were in use.
The scans also revealed that many of the newly discovered cities were expansive and densely populated. For instance, Mahendraparvata, located 40 kilometers (25 miles) west of Angkor, was home to over 1.5 million inhabitants and rivaled the size of modern-day Phnom Penh, Cambodia's capital.
9. The Forgotten Roads of Ancient Rome in Britain
When the Romans invaded Britain in the first century, they constructed an extensive network of roads to solidify their control over the newly conquered land. While a few segments of these roads remain today, most have been lost or destroyed due to factors like being buried under farmland.
Fortunately, some of these forgotten roads have been rediscovered with the help of laser scans. This revelation has piqued the curiosity of many historians and archaeologists, as it helps to fill in some of the gaps “in the history of Roman Britain.” For instance, the rediscovery of these roads answers the question, “How did the Romans travel from Ribchester to Lancaster?”
8. Hidden Regions of New England
Today, much of New England is covered by forests, but it wasn’t always like this. In the past, these woodlands were home to farms and communities rather than trees. By employing laser scans, a team of archaeologists uncovered hidden colonial roads, farm walls, and homesteads deep within Connecticut’s Pachaug State Forest.
These locations were abandoned due to two main reasons: the rise of industrialization and the allure of farming opportunities in the West. As people left, the forest gradually reclaimed the land.
Although laser technology has enabled this important discovery, the researchers acknowledge its limitations. It can't aid in studying the Native American inhabitants of New England since they left no permanent structures like walls or foundations. Laser scans are only effective in “sites where [people] have left a mark on the landscape.”
7. Arctic Dens
In addition to uncovering significant archaeological sites, laser technology is also playing a crucial role in safeguarding polar bears, especially their young cubs. Winter is when female polar bears retreat into their dens to care for their cubs. Unfortunately, this coincides with the peak season for oil and gas drilling, posing a serious threat to these animals. Although there is a method to help drillers identify and avoid the dens, it isn’t foolproof, and a few cubs are still at risk.
Fortunately, a 2013 study found that laser scans can detect up to 90–95 percent of polar dens in a given area. This technology offers a more efficient way to protect polar bears and their cubs from the dangers of oil and gas drilling.
6. The Tallest Tropical Tree
Players of Minecraft may recognize the Yellow Meranti tree, but in reality, these trees remain relatively obscure and, unfortunately, are endangered.
Recently, a group of researchers stumbled upon the tallest Yellow Meranti tree in a Malaysian forest. Standing at nearly 89 meters (294 feet)—roughly the height of “20 British double-decker buses stacked up”—this tree is not only the tallest of its kind but also holds the title of the tallest known tropical tree.
Determining the exact height of this towering tree wasn’t easy. To get the job done, they enlisted the help of a local climber, Unding Jami. Rather than using high-tech tools, Jami relied on a simple tape measure to make his measurements. Jami humorously mentioned that he didn’t manage to snap a picturesque photo atop the Yellow Meranti, as he was too busy fending off an eagle attack.
5. Clark Strand
On November 22, 1800, the San Diego region was struck by a 6.5 magnitude earthquake. At the time, scientists were unable to pinpoint the fault responsible for the tremor. For over two centuries, this mystery persisted.
It wasn’t until 2012 that researchers finally solved the puzzle. By using laser scans, geologists from Arizona State University discovered that the earthquake was triggered by an active segment of the San Jacinto Fault Zone known as Clark Strand.
This discovery holds significance as the methods used to pinpoint the unknown fault could enable scientists to create more reliable and accurate earthquake predictions moving forward.
4. Polaris
In 2011, a team of scientists uncovered a new hidden fault in California, named after the old mining town it passes through—Polaris. This fault is much shorter than the San Andreas Fault, stretching just 35 kilometers (22 miles) compared to the 1,300 kilometers (800 miles) of the San Andreas. Laser technology played a crucial role in this discovery.
Experts believe that this newly discovered fault could produce an earthquake with a magnitude between 6.5 and 6.9. Since Polaris is connected to other faults in the region, it is expected that the intensity could be even higher if it triggers a simultaneous rupture with the neighboring faults.
In addition to causing a major earthquake, the Polaris fault has the potential to trigger flooding by releasing water from a nearby dam.
3. Dome Fields
Hidden deep within Cambodia's jungles are the enigmatic dome fields, which were built around 1,000 years ago. These earthen mounds are considered some of the most mysterious features of Khmer landscape archaeology. To this day, their exact purpose remains unknown. However, one researcher suggests that because the dome fields closely resemble “well-known raised fields found in other regions,” they may have been used for agricultural purposes.
The mysterious dome fields were uncovered in 2015 using laser scanning technology. They are organized in grid patterns and are located near ancient temple complexes in Cambodia.
2. Ancient Roman Forts
While numerous early Roman forts have been found across various countries, none had been discovered within Italy—until a team of researchers uncovered three forts near Italy’s northeastern border with Slovenia. One of these forts, built around 178 BC, has been identified as San Rocco, making it the oldest Roman fort ever found, predating all others.
The researchers are optimistic that this discovery will shed light on numerous questions about the ancient Roman army, including how it evolved into a dominant force.
1. New Dodo Bones
The dodo, a flightless bird related to pigeons, once inhabited the island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean. They were driven to extinction by rats and pigs introduced by sailors. By 1693, the dodo was officially extinct. Although it remains one of the most iconic extinct species, “nobody [really] tried to make a collection of the [dodo] or study it in detail.” Consequently, little is known about its biology and anatomy.
In 2014, a breakthrough occurred when a team of scientists used laser scans on “the only known complete skeleton from a single dodo.” These scans uncovered previously hidden bones, including kneecaps and ankle bones. These findings are crucial, as they provide valuable insights into the dodo’s anatomy and biology, helping scientists unravel the bird's secrets, such as how it moved, walked, and lived.
