Lowland Maya civilization flourished in the tropical region of the Yucatan peninsula and environs for more than 2500 years (~1000 BCE to 1500 CE). Known for its sophistication in writing, art, architecture, astronomy, and mathematics, Maya civilization still poses questions about the nature of its cities and surrounding populations because of its location in an inaccessible forest. In 2016, an aerial lidar survey across 2144 square kilometers of northern Guatemala mapped natural terrain and archaeological features over several distinct areas. We present results from these data, revealing interconnected urban settlement and landscapes with extensive infrastructural development. Studied through a joint international effort of interdisciplinary teams sharing protocols, this lidar survey compels a reevaluation of Maya demography, agriculture, and political economy and suggests future avenues of field research.
PLI_Phase_1_survey_blocks
Survey blocks mapped in PLI Phase 1 (2016). Format: ZIP file containing geo-masked ESRI shpfile
PLI_polygons_noholes.zip
PLI_Phase_1_pre/post-lidar ground coverage
All areas surveyed prior to PLI Phase 1 and all areas verified after PLI Phase 1. Format: ZIP file containing geo-masked ESRI shpfile
PLI ground replication.zip
PLI_Phase_1_built_defenses
All identified built defensive features within PLI Phase 1 dataset. Format: ZIP file containing geo-masked ESRI shpfile
Built_defense_xy.zip
PLI_Phase_1_natural_defenses
All identified natural defensive features within PLI Phase 1 dataset. Format: ZIP file containing geo-masked ESRI shpfile
Natural_defense_xy.zip
PLI_Phase_1_defended_areas
All identified defended areas within PLI Phase 1 dataset. Format: ZIP file containing geo-masked ESRI shpfile
Defended_areas.zip
PLI_Phase_1_all_causeways
All identified causeways within PLI Phase 1 dataset. Format: ZIP file containing geo-masked ESRI shpfile
All_causeways_xy.zip
PLI_Phase_1_reservoir_volumes
Total volume of identified reservoirs within PLI Phase 1 dataset, separated by survey block. Format: Excel file
Reservoirs_combined_v3.xlsx
PLI_Phase_1_upland_field_zones
All identified upland field zones within PLI Phase 1 dataset. Format: ZIP file containing geo-masked ESRI shpfile
All_upland_field_zones.zip
PLI_Phase_1_wetland_field_zones
All identified wetland field zones within PLI Phase 1 dataset. Format: ZIP file containing geo-masked ESRI shpfile
All_wetland_field_zones.zip
PLI_Phase_1_wetland_&_upland_field_zones
All identified wetland & upland field zones within PLI Phase 1 dataset. Format: ZIP file containing geo-masked ESRI shpfile
All_wet_upland_field_zones.zip
PLI_Phase_1_upland_agro_feature_density
Density (per 1 sq. km) of upland agricultural features within PLI Phase 1 dataset. Format: ZIP file containing geo-masked TIFF file
Master_point_desity_1sqkm_4_classes_upland_zones1.zip
PLI_Phase_1_wetland_agro_feature_density
Density (per 1 sq. km) of wetland agricultural features within PLI Phase 1 dataset. Format: ZIP file containing geo-masked TIFF file
Master_point_density_1sqkm_4_classes_wetland_zones1.zip
PLI_Phase_1_structures
All identified structures within PLI Phase 1 dataset. Format: ZIP file containing geo-masked ESRI shpfile
PLI_2017_master_strs_v2_xy2.zip
PLI_Phase_1_structure_density
Density (per 1 sq. km) of structures within PLI Phase 1 dataset. Format: ZIP file containing geo-masked TIFF file
Master_point_density_1sqkm_4_classes1.zip