A breakthrough LiDAR survey has uncovered an expansive, previously unknown urban complex in the Trans-Pecos desert. The site features a sophisticated hydraulic system including interconnected reservoirs, stone-lined canals, and terraced agricultural fields spanning over 50 square miles. This discovery challenges the long-held view of the region as home only to nomadic groups during the late Archaic period.
Lead researcher Dr. Elena Rodriguez states that the architectural complexity and scale of the water management systems suggest a centralized authority and a sedentary population far larger than previously estimated. Ongoing ground surveys have already yielded obsidian ritual blades and turquoise ornaments, indicating the city was a major hub in an ancient North American trade network.