In an interview with Mongabay, archaeologist Stéphen Rostain discusses groundbreaking archaeological findings in the Amazon, particularly regarding the Upano Valley culture in Ecuador. Utilizing lidar technology, researchers uncovered evidence of a vast network of mounds and roads, indicating a complex urban society that thrived for over 1,600 years before collapsing around 600 C.E. due to severe drought. Rostain emphasizes the significance of Indigenous oral traditions, which are increasingly recognized as historical data, challenging long-held prejudices against Indigenous peoples. He expresses concern over the Amazon's current climate vulnerability, warning that deforestation and rising temperatures could lead to irreversible changes in the ecosystem. Rostain's work aims to reshape perceptions of the Amazon's past and highlight the importance of Indigenous knowledge in addressing contemporary environmental challenges.