Remote sensing technology has identified a previously unknown urban center hidden deep within the dense rainforests of Honduras. The LiDAR survey mapped a series of concentric earthen mounds surrounding a massive solar-aligned ritual plaza. This site is attributed to the ancestors of the Pech culture and represents one of the largest pre-Columbian settlements found in the Mosquitia region to date.
Ground surveys following the aerial mapping uncovered several carved stone monoliths, or stelae, depicting feathered serpents and stylized human figures. Archaeologists believe the plaza was used for astronomical observations, as the positioning of the monoliths aligns perfectly with the winter solstice sunrise, highlighting the advanced scientific knowledge of these forest-dwelling civilizations.