Written by 
01-11-2024 07:00
Archaeologists found an ancient Mayan city called Valeriana under the jungle in Mexico’s Campeche state.
This city has about 7,000 buildings, including pyramids, amphitheaters, and sports fields. Archaeologists believe that up to 50,000 people lived there during the 9th century. They say that Valeriana is the second-largest Maya site after Calakmul. They found the site by accident, but radar technology helped archaeologists see through the thick jungle to find the city.
The Mayan civilization built beautiful temples, but they declined around 300 years ago due to wars, disease, and the Spanish invasion. Although nobody knew about the city for centuries, descendants of the Maya still live near the area today.
Difficult words: amphitheater (an open oval area for public events), archaeologist (a person who studies old buildings, tools, and other objects), decline (to grow smaller), descendant (a person who is from your family and lives after you).