The Amazon Rainforest, known as the “lungs of the Earth,” is full of incredible biodiversity and ancient human history that we’re only starting to uncover.
Here are fourteen insane discoveries in the Amazon that have changed how we understand this mysterious region.
1. Amazonian Geoglyphs, The Hidden Earthworks
Researchers have uncovered a vast network of geoglyphs beneath Brazil’s Amazon Rainforest in Acre and Rondônia.
These intricate earthworks, featuring patterns like circles and squares, sometimes stretching over half a mile, suggest they were created by a highly organized society.
This discovery challenges the idea that the Amazon was an untouched wilderness before European contact.
2. The Boiling River
In the Peruvian Amazon, the Boiling River, or “Shanay-Timpishka,” reaches temperatures up to 200°F (93°C), emitting continuous steam.
This natural wonder is far from any volcanoes, leaving scientists to theorize that the heat comes from deep underground geothermal activity.
For the local Asháninka people, the river is sacred, believed to be heated by a serpent spirit, Yacumama.
3. The Glass Frog
The glass frog, found in the Amazon, is notable for its transparent underside, revealing internal organs like the heart and liver.
This transparency serves as effective camouflage, allowing the frog to blend seamlessly with its surroundings, particularly when resting on leaves.
This adaptation helps protect it from predators in the dense rainforest.
Additionally, the glass frog’s unique appearance may aid in temperature regulation, making it an excellent example of the remarkable adaptations that species develop to survive in specific environments like the Amazon.
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4. Terra Preta, The Amazon’s Man-Made Miracle Soil
Terra Preta, or Amazonian Dark Earth, is a man-made soil found in the Amazon that is incredibly fertile, unlike the usual poor soils of the region.
People created it by mixing charcoal, bone, and organic matter into the soil, making it rich and self-sustaining.
This soil shows the advanced farming knowledge of ancient Amazonian civilizations.
Terra Preta allowed them to farm successfully in a tough environment, supporting large populations and complex societies.
Its discovery has changed how we view ancient farming and human impact on the Amazon.
5. The Walking Palm
The “walking palm,” or Socratea Exorrhiza, is a tree found in the rainforests of Central and South America. It’s special because of its unusual roots that look like stilts.
These roots help the tree stay stable in the soft, uneven soil of the rainforest.
As old roots die, new ones grow in the direction of better sunlight, leading some people to think the tree can “walk” slowly, moving a little bit each year.
However, many scientists believe the roots are just for stability and that the tree doesn’t actually move.
6. The Man of the Hole
The Man of the Hole was the last member of an uncontacted indigenous tribe in Brazil.
He lived alone in the Amazon for 26 years after his tribe was wiped out by violent attacks from ranchers in the 1970s and 1980s.
He was named for the deep holes he dug in his territory, which remain a mystery.
Living in a small, protected area surrounded by deforestation, he became a powerful symbol of the devastating impact of violence and deforestation on indigenous communities.
Despite being monitored by Brazilian authorities, his wish for no contact was respected.
In August 2022, he was found dead in his hut, marking the end of his tribe and highlighting the ongoing threats faced by indigenous peoples in the Amazon.
His life and death underscore the urgent need to protect these communities and their lands from further destruction.
7. The Humpback Whale in the Jungle
In a strange discovery, an 80,000-pound humpback whale carcass was found 165 feet inland in the Amazon rainforest on Marajó Island.
Scientists believe it was swept inland by powerful tidal forces and a storm, illustrating the unexpected ways in which the ocean and rainforest environments can intersect.
This rare event highlights the interconnectedness of ecosystems and the unpredictable power of nature.
8. The Lost Cities of the Upper Xingu
In the upper Xingu region of the Brazilian Amazon, the Kuhikugu complex reveals a network of over 20 settlements connected by straight roads and canals.
Dating back to around 800 AD, this advanced civilization supported thousands with sophisticated urban planning and environmental management.
The roads were precisely aligned with cardinal directions, and the canal system served multiple purposes, including transportation and water management.
This discovery challenges previous beliefs, showing that the Amazon was home to large, complex societies long before European contact.
9. The Amazon Coral Reef
Discovered in 2016, the Amazon Coral Reef is a massive 620-mile-long ecosystem at the mouth of the Amazon River.
It thrives in nutrient-rich, murky waters where the river meets the Atlantic, defying previous assumptions about coral habitats.
Home to diverse and unique marine life, this reef is under threat from oil and gas exploration, raising concerns about potential damage from spills and seismic testing.
Conservation efforts are underway to protect this fragile ecosystem.
10. The Goliath Birdeater Spider
The Goliath birdeater (Theraphosa blondi) is the world’s largest spider, with a leg span of up to 12 inches and weighing up to 2.6 ounces.
Despite its name, it rarely eats birds, instead preying on insects and small animals like frogs and mice.
Its venom is painful but not lethal to humans. When threatened, it releases irritating hairs that can cause severe discomfort.
Though intimidating, this spider is not aggressive towards humans and plays a key role in controlling insect populations in its rainforest habitat.
11. The Electric Eels’ Hunting Strategy
Electric eels, capable of delivering 800 volts, have been discovered to hunt in groups in the Amazon.
They encircle their prey, often schools of fish, and unleash synchronized electric shocks to immobilize them.
This cooperative strategy allows them to catch larger or more agile prey, revealing a surprising level of social coordination and advanced hunting tactics previously unknown in these solitary predators.
12. The Crimson-Faced Bald Uakari
The bald uakari, native to the Amazon, is known for its striking red face, which signals its health.
A bright red face indicates good health, while paler tones suggest illness.
These social primates live in close-knit groups, using complex communication to maintain strong social bonds.
Highly intelligent, bald uakaris are adept at problem-solving and tool use, which helps them thrive in their dense jungle habitat.
However, they face threats from habitat loss and hunting, making them a key focus of conservation efforts.
13. The Bullet Ant
The bullet ant (Paraponera clavata), native to the Amazon, is infamous for its sting, one of the most painful in the world, causing hours of intense pain.
Despite its small size and fearsome sting, the bullet ant plays a vital role in the ecosystem as both a predator and scavenger, helping control insect populations.
It also holds cultural significance in some indigenous Amazonian tribes, where its sting is part of initiation rituals.
Researchers are studying its venom to gain insights into pain and potential new treatments.
14. Santarem, Ancient Amazonian Trade Center
Located at the confluence of the Tapajós and Amazon Rivers, Santarem was a major trading hub in pre-Columbian Amazonia.
The people of Santarem were skilled potters, creating intricate ceramics that reflects a highly developed culture.
Strategically positioned, Santarem was a crossroads for goods, ideas, and practices across South America.
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Its organized layout, with distinct areas for living, work, and gatherings, shows advanced urban planning.
This discovery challenges the idea that the Amazon was isolated and sparsely populated before European contact.
