Page 433
Summary of a Documentary
What follows is a summary based on one student’s understanding of a documentary about ancient cities in the Amazon. It was written after the student talked about the program and reviewed his notes
Lost Cities of the Amazon
Main Idea The Amazon holds many surprises. This incredibly diverse rainforest is home to thousands of species of plants and animals. Only recently, though, have we realized it was also home to large cities of people.
Important Details Using lidar (light-based remote sensing technology), scientists have been able to see past the dense canopy to the ground. In a helicopter 650 feet above the trees, scientists shot millions of light beams down into the rainforest. Beams that struck ground bounced back, providing data points. Computers sorted the data to show features on the ground.