The LiDAR data from Caracol provide a view of an integrated
Maya urban center that covers ∼200 km2 (Fig. 2). Importantly,
these data can be ground-truthed through comparison with 23
km2 of transit-mapped settlement (46, 47) and more detailed
mapped areas of ancient agricultural fields (48). Superimposing
previously surveyed areas of housing, administrative and ritual
constructions, agricultural terracing, and causeways on LiDAR
digital images showcases the accuracy of the methodology (Fig.
3). The decades of collected archaeological data from Caracol
provide both temporal and functional contexts for the newer
LiDAR data, permitting both an understanding of how the anthropogenic
landscape evolved and a dating of A.D. 700 for the
occupational peak of the archaeological remains (28, 43). Li-
DAR not only is successful in “seeing” the larger architecture
and roadways in the site epicenter (Fig. 4) but also accurately
portrays very low constructions, outlying architectural nodes, and
the magnitude of agricultural terracing throughout Caracol (Fig.
5). Even small openings into the ground that represent underground
storage units (called “chultuns”) and looted burial
chambers in structures are visible; a large number of caves
similarly have been detected and ground-checked (49).