Archaeologists have uncovered a 5,000-year-old fortified settlement long hidden beneath dense forest in Neamț County, Romania, using LiDAR technology, providing new insights into ancient construction and defense techniques.
LiDAR—short for “light detection and ranging”—emits rapid laser pulses toward the ground and measures the time it takes for light to return. This data creates high-resolution terrain models, even in heavily vegetated areas. Previously, LiDAR has helped map tree growth and lost cities in the Amazon; now it has revealed a nearly 5,000-year-old fortification in Romania.
“Thanks to current technology and LiDAR scans, I was able to obtain a faithful image of an almost 5,000-year-old fortification,” said archaeologist Vasile Diaconu. “We observed details that were impossible to see in the field due to dense vegetation.”
The settlement dates to the transition from the Neolithic to the Bronze Age. Researchers used noninvasive methods, flying drones equipped with LiDAR to capture an aerial view of the fortifications. Diaconu stressed that modern technologies are essential for understanding complex archaeological sites.
The scans revealed that the fortification was strategically built on high ground with defensive ditches and earthen mounds, some stretching several hundred meters, indicating considerable human labor and planning.
The project was a collaboration between Geocad Services, Geo Edu Lab, and the National Institute for Research and Development for Earth Physics. It also marked a reunion between mentor and student: Diaconu’s former student, Vlad Dulgheriu, now owner of Geocad Services, facilitated the expedition.
“I’m honestly glad my former student has built his own road beautifully,” Diaconu said. The discovery highlights how modern technology and mentorship can bring long-hidden histories to light, bridging past and present.
Source: Popular Mechanics
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
