Would you like to inspect the original subtitles? These are the user uploaded subtitles that are being translated:
1
00:00:08,376 --> 00:00:11,744
Albert: Okay, here we go.
2
00:00:12,113 --> 00:00:13,946
Ready? Let's turn it on.
3
00:00:14,048 --> 00:00:16,582
Omar: Yeah.
Wow! Oh, wow.
4
00:00:16,684 --> 00:00:18,434
Albert: Look at that.
5
00:00:18,536 --> 00:00:21,203
That is nuts!
What are those?
6
00:00:22,273 --> 00:00:23,706
Revealed.
7
00:00:23,808 --> 00:00:26,208
From deep within the jungle.
8
00:00:26,844 --> 00:00:30,646
Startling evidence
of the maya at war.
9
00:00:33,084 --> 00:00:36,235
I'm albert lin. Engineer...
10
00:00:36,337 --> 00:00:38,570
There's a forgotten
world down there.
11
00:00:38,672 --> 00:00:40,906
Lost cities
hidden in the jungle.
12
00:00:41,008 --> 00:00:43,675
And national geographic explorer.
13
00:00:43,911 --> 00:00:46,879
The frontier of the
maya world is actually
right under our feet.
14
00:00:47,715 --> 00:00:50,082
I'm on a mission to uncover
the secrets of one of the
15
00:00:50,184 --> 00:00:53,402
World's most mysterious
ancient civilizations,
16
00:00:56,240 --> 00:00:58,173
The maya.
17
00:00:58,642 --> 00:01:02,678
And right now, technology is
writing a whole new story.
18
00:01:03,848 --> 00:01:05,948
Reporter (over tv): New technology reveals that ancient civilization
19
00:01:06,050 --> 00:01:10,269
In central america may have been much more complex than archaeologists believed.
20
00:01:10,971 --> 00:01:15,641
Albert: In 2018, national geographic broke the news
of an incredible discovery.
21
00:01:17,211 --> 00:01:20,546
(speaking french).
22
00:01:20,648 --> 00:01:23,348
Albert: That
captivated the entire world.
23
00:01:26,403 --> 00:01:28,937
And I was right
there to see it.
24
00:01:29,039 --> 00:01:30,305
Wow!
25
00:01:30,407 --> 00:01:32,341
Revealed from the sky.
26
00:01:32,443 --> 00:01:37,146
Tom: This is the most
important development in maya
archaeology in 100 years.
27
00:01:37,648 --> 00:01:40,115
Albert: And on the ground.
28
00:01:40,201 --> 00:01:43,102
Ah, it gives you like
chills up your back.
29
00:01:44,071 --> 00:01:49,475
Using 'lidar' technology that
can see through the dense
jungle like an x-ray.
30
00:01:49,577 --> 00:01:50,709
Okay.
31
00:01:50,811 --> 00:01:52,244
Are you ready to see
it without the trees?
32
00:01:52,346 --> 00:01:56,415
More than 60,000 man-made
structures brought to light
33
00:01:58,402 --> 00:02:01,637
In an incredible
new treasure map.
34
00:02:06,844 --> 00:02:08,577
Archaeologist: Very narrow.
35
00:02:08,946 --> 00:02:11,346
Albert: Now, armed
with the new map...
36
00:02:11,448 --> 00:02:13,999
(speaking spanish)
37
00:02:14,101 --> 00:02:16,602
Albert: Some of the
world's most intrepid
archaeologists...
38
00:02:16,704 --> 00:02:17,870
Leila: It's going
to be dangerous.
39
00:02:17,972 --> 00:02:19,505
Albert: Sure.
40
00:02:20,207 --> 00:02:22,074
Are taking on the jungle.
41
00:02:22,176 --> 00:02:23,809
Francisco: Bhanny,
there is a painted pot.
42
00:02:23,911 --> 00:02:25,744
It's got an inscription.
43
00:02:25,846 --> 00:02:27,746
Albert: In search
of its secrets.
44
00:02:27,848 --> 00:02:29,848
Francisco: We have a skeleton.
45
00:02:30,801 --> 00:02:33,902
Albert: All on a quest
46
00:02:34,004 --> 00:02:37,472
To rewrite the
astonishing story
47
00:02:38,909 --> 00:02:40,909
Of the maya.
48
00:02:51,238 --> 00:02:52,771
Alright!
49
00:02:52,873 --> 00:02:55,607
To me, the maya have
always been one of
the most fascinating
50
00:02:55,709 --> 00:02:58,510
Of all ancient civilizations.
51
00:03:00,347 --> 00:03:04,032
But so much of what we
thought we knew is wrong.
52
00:03:05,169 --> 00:03:08,453
Down there right now history
is being completely rewritten.
53
00:03:09,006 --> 00:03:12,774
Armed with this new
revolutionary treasure map,
archaeologists are on this
54
00:03:12,877 --> 00:03:16,144
Journey of discovery,
but on a massive scale.
55
00:03:17,514 --> 00:03:21,066
This time I'm investigating
the maya at war.
56
00:03:23,904 --> 00:03:26,605
Unearthing a rare
ritual altar...
57
00:03:27,708 --> 00:03:30,108
Marcello: This is the
moment we've been waiting
for for about a year.
58
00:03:30,211 --> 00:03:32,244
Efraim, efraim, efraim!
59
00:03:32,997 --> 00:03:36,582
Albert: With links to
one of the most ruthless
of all maya dynasties.
60
00:03:38,669 --> 00:03:42,271
I'll be exploring an ancient
site that saw mass conflict.
61
00:03:42,806 --> 00:03:45,807
Something went
down like right here.
62
00:03:46,076 --> 00:03:48,343
Right here people died.
63
00:03:48,445 --> 00:03:52,714
And I'll be following one of
the most startling of all the
new discoveries.
64
00:03:53,150 --> 00:03:54,266
Edwin: Wow!
65
00:03:56,537 --> 00:03:58,170
Albert: That's
completing overturning...
66
00:03:58,272 --> 00:04:00,038
Edwin: Wow!
67
00:04:00,207 --> 00:04:03,642
Albert: Everything
experts thought they
knew about warfare...
68
00:04:06,880 --> 00:04:08,714
Albert: And the ancient maya.
69
00:04:16,273 --> 00:04:20,242
Deep in the jungles
of central america,
guatemalan archaeologist,
70
00:04:20,344 --> 00:04:23,545
Edwin roman-ramirez
is on a mission.
71
00:04:26,517 --> 00:04:30,535
Heading for a remote mountain
ridge in search of the maya.
72
00:04:36,810 --> 00:04:40,312
Albert: The maya
emerged 3,000 years
ago in central america,
73
00:04:42,016 --> 00:04:44,366
Across a region of
what is now guatemala,
74
00:04:44,468 --> 00:04:47,269
Southern mexico and
adjoining countries.
75
00:04:50,908 --> 00:04:55,644
The maya tamed the jungle,
creating cities of dazzling
scale and complexity.
76
00:04:58,248 --> 00:05:01,967
Forging a civilization
that lasted over 2,000 years.
77
00:05:04,638 --> 00:05:08,073
But as well as stunning glories,
there was a brutal side
78
00:05:09,443 --> 00:05:13,145
Of blood and human sacrifice.
79
00:05:15,482 --> 00:05:20,102
But apart from inscriptions
and carvings little is known
about how they waged war.
80
00:05:22,106 --> 00:05:25,440
Edwin is on the hunt
for new evidence,
81
00:05:27,311 --> 00:05:29,878
Exploring the deep jungle
outside an ancient city
82
00:05:29,980 --> 00:05:34,166
Called el zotz, in the
far north of guatemala.
83
00:05:39,340 --> 00:05:40,706
He's working with
fellow archaeologist
84
00:05:40,808 --> 00:05:44,242
And national geographic
explorer, tom garrison.
85
00:05:46,146 --> 00:05:49,781
Tom: I mean this lidar data
is incredible. You know...
86
00:05:50,084 --> 00:05:54,669
Albert: On the new high tech
map they can see evidence of
huge man-made structures.
87
00:05:56,573 --> 00:05:59,374
Tom: This looks like we have
a pretty serious causeway
88
00:05:59,476 --> 00:06:02,377
Almost running up the
side of the cliff face.
89
00:06:02,946 --> 00:06:06,348
Albert: Before, these
buildings were completely
hidden beneath the jungle.
90
00:06:07,101 --> 00:06:10,035
Now, they're being laid bare.
91
00:06:10,938 --> 00:06:15,440
Tom: I'm thinking maybe if you
start down here and climb up,
check out what that looks like
92
00:06:15,542 --> 00:06:18,276
And then maybe see
what this earth work is.
93
00:06:18,379 --> 00:06:20,679
It looks like a
pretty big one.
94
00:06:21,215 --> 00:06:24,566
Albert: Tom and edwin
think the newly identified
buildings could reveal some
95
00:06:24,668 --> 00:06:27,836
Unique clues to maya warfare.
96
00:06:28,539 --> 00:06:33,258
Tom: I mean you look at these
features here and, you know,
97
00:06:33,677 --> 00:06:36,244
This one's almost
eight meters tall.
98
00:06:36,346 --> 00:06:38,080
Edwin: Eight meters, tom?
Tom: Yeah.
99
00:06:40,050 --> 00:06:41,032
But, of course, we're not
going to know 'til you get
out there and check on it.
100
00:06:41,135 --> 00:06:42,401
Yeah, this'll be exciting.
101
00:06:42,503 --> 00:06:43,769
Edwin: Okay, that
sounds perfect.
102
00:06:43,871 --> 00:06:44,970
Tom: Alright.
Edwin: Thank you, tom.
103
00:06:45,072 --> 00:06:47,172
Tom: Yeah.
Edwin: We'll see you later.
104
00:06:47,274 --> 00:06:50,308
Albert: The new map
reveals a mysterious
series of buildings,
105
00:06:51,512 --> 00:06:55,013
Running two and a half
miles along a steep ridge,
106
00:06:55,949 --> 00:07:00,869
All seemingly connected
to a whole complex of
structures at its base.
107
00:07:05,542 --> 00:07:11,113
Oppressive heat,
dense vegetation
and deadly wildlife
108
00:07:11,748 --> 00:07:15,500
Make this one of the
most extreme frontiers
in archaeology.
109
00:07:25,612 --> 00:07:28,647
Albert: It's edwin's 15th
season working in these
punishing conditions.
110
00:07:38,075 --> 00:07:40,909
Albert: But it's the
very first time with
the new treasure map.
111
00:07:59,713 --> 00:08:02,080
Albert: Then suddenly out
of the dense jungle...
112
00:08:10,340 --> 00:08:12,507
Albert: Edwin spots something.
113
00:08:13,343 --> 00:08:16,111
Perched at the very top
of the mountain ridge...
114
00:08:17,014 --> 00:08:20,966
An ancient pyramid
hidden for centuries.
115
00:08:22,803 --> 00:08:25,737
And it seems the
pyramid is just one of
a group of structures
116
00:08:25,839 --> 00:08:29,040
All revealed by
new technology.
117
00:08:33,046 --> 00:08:35,614
Edwin: Ooh-hoo, yeah.
118
00:08:37,401 --> 00:08:40,335
Albert: The new treasure
map is the result of a
massive survey,
119
00:08:40,437 --> 00:08:44,406
Charting over 800
square miles of jungle.
120
00:08:47,711 --> 00:08:50,879
Called the pacunam
lidar initiative it's
bringing together
121
00:08:50,981 --> 00:08:54,599
An international
consortium of experts.
122
00:08:56,003 --> 00:08:59,771
One of the engineers behind
the survey is juan-carlos
fernandez diaz.
123
00:09:05,879 --> 00:09:09,648
His team flies a plane
over the dense jungle canopy.
124
00:09:11,835 --> 00:09:15,070
Using high-tech scanning
equipment, billions of
laser pulses are
125
00:09:15,172 --> 00:09:18,707
Fired down and bounced back.
126
00:09:19,743 --> 00:09:22,978
The technique is called lidar.
127
00:09:43,383 --> 00:09:46,501
Albert: Only a tiny
fraction of the pulses
make it to the ground.
128
00:09:59,249 --> 00:10:04,002
Albert: Once all the unwanted
pulses reflected from the
trees are filtered out,
129
00:10:04,104 --> 00:10:08,273
The data that's left
allows the engineers
to build a 3d map
130
00:10:08,375 --> 00:10:11,509
Of the hidden jungle floor.
131
00:10:16,083 --> 00:10:18,266
San diego, california.
132
00:10:18,535 --> 00:10:24,039
This is where I research using
digital technologies to
explore the ancient world.
133
00:10:24,975 --> 00:10:28,510
And I've been given
very special access...
134
00:10:30,280 --> 00:10:31,613
Look at this.
135
00:10:31,715 --> 00:10:34,432
To explore the new
data on a giant scale.
136
00:10:35,969 --> 00:10:39,471
This is how the
jungle looks from above.
137
00:10:39,573 --> 00:10:43,008
But when lidar strips
away the trees...
138
00:10:44,478 --> 00:10:47,379
Countless man-made
structures appear.
139
00:10:49,116 --> 00:10:54,803
In all, an incredible
60,000 hidden features
have been revealed.
140
00:10:58,141 --> 00:11:02,877
Two of the project leaders,
national geographic explorers,
141
00:11:02,979 --> 00:11:07,115
Tom garrison and marcello
canuto have come to join me.
142
00:11:08,669 --> 00:11:09,868
Lidar.
143
00:11:09,970 --> 00:11:11,569
Marcello: Wow, look at that!
144
00:11:11,672 --> 00:11:12,837
Tom: Magic.
145
00:11:12,939 --> 00:11:15,440
Marcello: Look at that.
Look at that. Wow.
146
00:11:15,542 --> 00:11:19,010
It's almost like we're
flying over the ancient
maya world in a helicopter.
147
00:11:19,246 --> 00:11:22,947
This is what is so exciting
about lidar, it's humbling.
148
00:11:23,050 --> 00:11:26,167
There are things that the
lidar data is teaching me
and teaching all of us.
149
00:11:26,269 --> 00:11:29,671
Tom: We're not just
talking about one new
city, it's dozens.
150
00:11:29,773 --> 00:11:33,375
It's a scale of discovery,
like you're saying, that it
just blows everyone's mind.
151
00:11:34,378 --> 00:11:37,412
Marcello: When I saw the
first lidar coming out I
said that's the future,
152
00:11:37,514 --> 00:11:39,948
You know, that's
what we have to do.
153
00:11:42,436 --> 00:11:45,470
Albert: Back near
the ancient maya
city of el zotz,
154
00:11:45,572 --> 00:11:49,808
The new map has led
edwin roman-ramirez to
a spectacular discovery.
155
00:11:52,412 --> 00:11:57,015
On top of this high
mountain ridge hides
an ancient pyramid.
156
00:12:26,379 --> 00:12:29,514
Albert: Beyond the pyramid
edwin spots more ruins.
157
00:12:34,204 --> 00:12:37,806
Albert: And surrounding
them all, giant walls.
158
00:12:44,080 --> 00:12:46,848
Albert: All
predicted by lidar.
159
00:12:47,801 --> 00:12:53,104
But this new site, with banks
and ramparts, looks nothing
like a typical maya city.
160
00:12:56,343 --> 00:12:58,443
Edwin: Look at that.
161
00:12:58,545 --> 00:13:01,780
Albert: And its discovery
could solve a massive mystery
162
00:13:02,716 --> 00:13:05,667
About the maya at war.
163
00:13:06,069 --> 00:13:08,703
Edwin: Wow.
This is really amazing.
164
00:13:17,380 --> 00:13:19,714
Albert: Edwin roman-ramirez
has followed the new lidar
165
00:13:19,816 --> 00:13:23,034
Treasure map to a
startling discovery.
166
00:13:25,605 --> 00:13:30,041
The ruins of what edwin
believes was once a vast
fortified citadel,
167
00:13:31,645 --> 00:13:36,181
Protected by the mountain
ridge and surrounded by
massive ramparts.
168
00:13:37,901 --> 00:13:41,269
Which makes it a
groundbreaking find.
169
00:13:42,339 --> 00:13:46,608
Because in all the
maya world, permanent
defenses on such a scale
170
00:13:46,710 --> 00:13:50,111
Have barely ever been found.
171
00:13:52,415 --> 00:13:55,967
Before the lidar map
experts believed the
maya settled conflict
172
00:13:56,069 --> 00:13:58,970
In a very unusual way.
173
00:13:59,840 --> 00:14:02,807
They thought it was highly
ritualized, involving only
174
00:14:02,909 --> 00:14:05,944
The capture and
sacrifice of kings.
175
00:14:06,046 --> 00:14:09,447
But now the new evidence
suggests something very
different.
176
00:14:11,635 --> 00:14:13,968
On the giant screen,
177
00:14:14,070 --> 00:14:19,274
Edwin's mountain
fortress is evidence of
war on a colossal scale.
178
00:14:20,777 --> 00:14:23,845
Wow. Look at that ridge.
179
00:14:23,947 --> 00:14:26,014
Tom: Yeah, this is amazing.
180
00:14:26,116 --> 00:14:29,968
I mean you can't really
say this is anything other
than a maya fortress.
181
00:14:30,904 --> 00:14:34,038
You can see big ditch
and rampart systems.
182
00:14:34,140 --> 00:14:37,442
The one up there that's
eight meters high.
183
00:14:37,844 --> 00:14:41,179
So, you know, it's
like 25 feet tall.
184
00:14:41,581 --> 00:14:43,882
This is a heavily
protected area.
185
00:14:43,984 --> 00:14:49,037
Now we're looking west,
and as we move up to the
next couple of ridges
186
00:14:49,139 --> 00:14:53,608
We start to see
lone stone structures,
and what this could be
187
00:14:53,710 --> 00:14:57,045
Would be a system
of watch-towers,
of surveillance.
188
00:14:57,480 --> 00:14:58,713
Albert: Watchtowers?
189
00:14:58,815 --> 00:14:59,914
Tom: See that one right there?
190
00:15:00,083 --> 00:15:01,666
Albert: Yeah, yeah.
191
00:15:01,768 --> 00:15:04,068
Tom: Yeah. They're
monitoring this landscape.
192
00:15:04,170 --> 00:15:06,404
You see a feature like this
and you know that you're
193
00:15:06,506 --> 00:15:09,207
Looking at a landscape
of conflict.
194
00:15:09,309 --> 00:15:12,911
This is a fortress, it's
a military installation,
people are at war.
195
00:15:21,137 --> 00:15:24,706
Albert: Edwin returns
from the fortified ridge,
196
00:15:25,275 --> 00:15:27,241
Because down on
the valley floor
197
00:15:27,344 --> 00:15:30,345
There are remains
of more buildings.
198
00:15:32,716 --> 00:15:35,800
Here, excavations
have already begun.
199
00:15:36,703 --> 00:15:39,570
And from one of the
first test pits...
200
00:15:43,743 --> 00:15:45,476
Fernando: Awesome.
201
00:15:47,180 --> 00:15:49,881
Albert: There's an
astonishing discovery.
202
00:15:53,236 --> 00:15:56,738
Albert: An incredibly
rare and perfectly
preserved flint spearhead
203
00:15:56,856 --> 00:15:59,641
Well over 1,000 years old.
204
00:16:22,615 --> 00:16:24,666
Albert: A deadly spearhead.
205
00:16:25,535 --> 00:16:27,635
Fortified ramparts.
206
00:16:28,138 --> 00:16:31,239
And a line of watchtowers
207
00:16:31,341 --> 00:16:34,575
Leave the archaeologists
in no doubt.
208
00:16:34,678 --> 00:16:37,679
Tom: You're looking at a
landscape of conflict.
209
00:16:37,747 --> 00:16:41,499
Albert: This is compelling
evidence of all out war,
210
00:16:42,235 --> 00:16:45,236
Right at the heart
of the maya world.
211
00:16:50,377 --> 00:16:54,112
It's incredible for me to
think that all that jungle
wilderness down there
212
00:16:54,230 --> 00:16:58,099
Was once a landscape of
fear and of conflict.
213
00:16:59,669 --> 00:17:05,173
On a scale that experts
had never imagined until
the lidar survey.
214
00:17:07,444 --> 00:17:11,145
But I want to explore
evidence of war for myself.
215
00:17:13,216 --> 00:17:17,168
Where I'm headed is so
remote the only way in
is by helicopter,
216
00:17:17,437 --> 00:17:19,670
And then by river.
217
00:17:22,108 --> 00:17:25,910
This is the age of discovery,
this is what it's all about.
218
00:17:26,846 --> 00:17:28,946
Yeah!
219
00:17:33,369 --> 00:17:37,472
I'm joining puerto rican
archaeologist omar alcover.
220
00:17:38,675 --> 00:17:42,043
Far beyond the pacunam
survey area he's part
of a team that is taking
221
00:17:42,145 --> 00:17:45,947
Remote archaeology
to a whole new level.
222
00:17:49,769 --> 00:17:51,936
Are we in no-man's land
right now, what is this?
223
00:17:52,038 --> 00:17:53,838
Omar: We're basically
in international waters.
224
00:17:53,940 --> 00:17:56,074
The river's shared by both
mexico and guatemala,
225
00:17:56,176 --> 00:17:59,844
And it's one of the
natural borders between
the two countries.
226
00:18:02,849 --> 00:18:07,101
Albert: 2,000 years ago
these banks were home to
two rival maya kingdoms.
227
00:18:09,572 --> 00:18:13,141
An ancient maya city
called piedras negras.
228
00:18:14,944 --> 00:18:19,881
And macabilero, a nearby group
of barely-explored ruins.
229
00:18:22,368 --> 00:18:27,905
At both sites, cutting edge
technology is revealing
more startling evidence
230
00:18:28,007 --> 00:18:30,575
Of the maya at war.
231
00:18:36,749 --> 00:18:41,502
The sun's now making its
way right overhead and the
temperatures have picked up.
232
00:18:43,640 --> 00:18:47,141
So it's going to
be a challenge.
233
00:18:47,977 --> 00:18:51,646
I'm going up a little
bit more bionic than most.
234
00:18:51,748 --> 00:18:54,148
But it's worth it.
235
00:18:54,250 --> 00:19:00,304
This jungle has secrets
to reveal and we're going
to find them right now.
236
00:19:10,216 --> 00:19:15,002
Albert: I'm climbing through
isolated mountain jungle with
archaeologist omar alcover.
237
00:19:18,141 --> 00:19:21,809
For the maya this would
have been just as tough.
238
00:19:28,902 --> 00:19:31,802
This is some of the
densest jungle I've ever been.
239
00:19:32,272 --> 00:19:34,238
I mean it's old
growth, you know.
240
00:19:34,340 --> 00:19:38,142
You can't see more than 50 or
a 100 feet in any direction,
then it's just green.
241
00:19:39,179 --> 00:19:42,413
The challenge is trying to
find anything in all this.
242
00:19:42,815 --> 00:19:46,267
Luckily for us,
we've got technology.
243
00:19:47,370 --> 00:19:49,237
Okay.
244
00:19:50,240 --> 00:19:51,806
Ready, let's turn it on.
245
00:19:51,908 --> 00:19:53,341
Omar: Yeah.
Albert: Wow.
246
00:19:53,443 --> 00:19:57,178
Omar: Oh, wow.
Nice. Yeah.
247
00:19:57,280 --> 00:19:59,180
Albert: Look at that.
248
00:19:59,282 --> 00:20:00,514
That is nuts.
249
00:20:00,617 --> 00:20:01,566
What are those?
250
00:20:01,668 --> 00:20:04,402
Is that just all masonry?
251
00:20:04,904 --> 00:20:09,307
I've built data gathered
by omar into an augmented
reality platform.
252
00:20:10,243 --> 00:20:13,778
And suddenly I can strip
away the trees revealing
253
00:20:13,880 --> 00:20:18,783
A vast wall stretching over
100 yards across the hillside.
254
00:20:19,903 --> 00:20:21,636
It's like an x-ray right
through the trees, huh?
255
00:20:21,738 --> 00:20:24,538
That is crazy.
256
00:20:25,408 --> 00:20:26,774
Let's go check it out.
257
00:20:26,876 --> 00:20:28,976
Omar: Yeah, let's go.
258
00:20:31,314 --> 00:20:35,933
Albert: It's amazing to
think each one of these
blocks would have been
259
00:20:36,035 --> 00:20:39,937
Cut and hauled
up here by hand.
260
00:20:41,641 --> 00:20:45,209
But until omar combined
thousands of close-up
photographs into a single
261
00:20:45,311 --> 00:20:50,748
Model it was impossible
to see the entire line of
the wall from a distance.
262
00:20:54,270 --> 00:20:59,073
And what it reveals is
the incredible effort
made by the maya here
263
00:20:59,175 --> 00:21:02,877
To defend themselves
from attack.
264
00:21:05,014 --> 00:21:09,467
Omar: The fact that they
built over seven of these
on the top of a mountain
265
00:21:09,569 --> 00:21:13,237
Means the threat of a violent
encounter was very real.
266
00:21:14,040 --> 00:21:17,642
Albert: Something went
down like right here,
right here people died.
267
00:21:17,744 --> 00:21:19,510
Omar: Yeah,
probably, probably.
268
00:21:19,612 --> 00:21:22,013
Albert: You're running up,
you're trying to attack,
you're running up,
269
00:21:22,115 --> 00:21:24,148
You hit these bricks and
then all of a sudden...
270
00:21:24,217 --> 00:21:26,968
Omar: They come at you
with sling stones or
just loose rocks even
271
00:21:27,070 --> 00:21:29,603
That they throw down.
272
00:21:30,940 --> 00:21:35,609
Albert: This is another
fortress built by a
community under threat
273
00:21:36,579 --> 00:21:42,166
Over 2,000 years ago,
right at the extremes
of the maya world.
274
00:21:44,404 --> 00:21:48,272
Along with edwin's
citadel near el zotz,
these discoveries
275
00:21:48,374 --> 00:21:52,076
Are changing our whole
understanding of maya warfare.
276
00:22:05,541 --> 00:22:09,010
It's been a really
hard day, really hard.
277
00:22:09,645 --> 00:22:12,747
But there's a lot more to
see in this whole jungle,
278
00:22:12,849 --> 00:22:15,433
And it's just going to have
to wait until tomorrow.
279
00:22:41,911 --> 00:22:47,281
64 miles east of omar's
fortress and back inside
the lidar survey area
280
00:22:47,383 --> 00:22:51,535
It's morning, and here
they've got better weather.
281
00:22:53,806 --> 00:22:57,308
That's good news
for archaeologist
marcella canuto.
282
00:23:00,380 --> 00:23:05,866
He's on a mission to explore
another totally new discovery
revealed by the lidar map.
283
00:23:07,603 --> 00:23:09,403
Marcello: The site
is relatively large.
284
00:23:09,505 --> 00:23:11,806
You know, you can see
several buildings, one,
two, three, four, five,
285
00:23:12,041 --> 00:23:15,342
And there's sort of maybe
three buildings here and
perhaps a little platform.
286
00:23:15,745 --> 00:23:18,612
So it's a relatively
substantial site.
287
00:23:19,048 --> 00:23:21,282
Albert: Marcello
has spent more than a
decade investigating
288
00:23:21,384 --> 00:23:24,902
An ancient maya site
called la corona.
289
00:23:27,440 --> 00:23:31,041
It's his first field
season since the results
of the pacunam survey.
290
00:23:32,812 --> 00:23:35,446
And on this giant screen
marcello is going to see
291
00:23:35,548 --> 00:23:39,450
La corona as he's
never seen it before.
292
00:23:39,869 --> 00:23:41,802
So hidden inside
these trees...
293
00:23:41,904 --> 00:23:42,803
Marcello: Yeah.
294
00:23:42,905 --> 00:23:43,838
Albert: Is the
site of la corona.
295
00:23:43,940 --> 00:23:45,606
Marcello: Yes.
296
00:23:45,708 --> 00:23:47,641
So nestled in amongst
all of these swamps and
hidden under those trees
297
00:23:47,743 --> 00:23:50,211
Is the main part of la
corona right there.
298
00:23:50,313 --> 00:23:52,379
Albert: Let's
take a look, ready?
299
00:23:53,616 --> 00:23:56,434
Marcello: Yeah.
Wow, look at that.
300
00:23:56,536 --> 00:23:58,702
That looks great.
301
00:23:58,805 --> 00:24:02,173
Look at that,
look at that, wow.
302
00:24:02,275 --> 00:24:03,441
Albert: That's your site.
303
00:24:03,543 --> 00:24:04,875
Marcello: That's it,
that's it. That's it.
304
00:24:04,977 --> 00:24:06,177
Albert: Wow.
305
00:24:06,279 --> 00:24:08,078
Marcello: Yeah, that
is so cool to see.
306
00:24:08,164 --> 00:24:09,780
Albert: It just all of a
sudden pops out of the trees.
307
00:24:09,882 --> 00:24:11,248
Marcello: Yes, exactly.
308
00:24:11,350 --> 00:24:12,700
Albert: How long have
you been working here?
309
00:24:12,802 --> 00:24:14,435
Marcello: We have been
working here since 2005.
310
00:24:14,537 --> 00:24:15,936
Albert: 2005.
Marcello: 2005.
311
00:24:16,038 --> 00:24:17,872
Albert: And then only this
year you see this lidar data.
312
00:24:17,974 --> 00:24:19,807
Marcello: Yes, exactly.
313
00:24:19,909 --> 00:24:22,743
This is the first time we're
actually seeing the entire
site in one shot.
314
00:24:23,746 --> 00:24:26,580
Albert: No-one knows la
corona better than marcello.
315
00:24:27,350 --> 00:24:30,301
But the lidar map is
even surprising him.
316
00:24:31,671 --> 00:24:33,504
Marcello: Look at that, okay.
317
00:24:33,606 --> 00:24:39,343
There is a causeway that
I had not seen before
318
00:24:39,445 --> 00:24:42,179
Right there, coming through that
central group, right there.
319
00:24:44,484 --> 00:24:46,534
See those two
little parallel lines.
320
00:24:46,636 --> 00:24:48,102
Albert: Oh, yeah, I see
they sort of run together...
321
00:24:48,204 --> 00:24:49,303
Marcello: That's right.
That's right.
322
00:24:49,405 --> 00:24:51,172
And what it's doing
is it's actually...
323
00:24:51,274 --> 00:24:52,840
Oh, that's amazing.
324
00:24:52,942 --> 00:24:54,909
And that causeway
is connecting up
to another group
325
00:24:55,011 --> 00:24:57,845
That we've never
investigated before.
326
00:24:57,947 --> 00:24:59,280
Albert: Did you know
about this before?
327
00:24:59,382 --> 00:25:01,398
Marcello: No, no, I did
not know about this at all.
328
00:25:01,517 --> 00:25:03,234
I really did not
know about this.
329
00:25:03,336 --> 00:25:06,303
Until I saw this data
I had never seen that
causeway before.
330
00:25:09,876 --> 00:25:13,310
Albert: And it's not
the only discovery
revealed by the lidar.
331
00:25:15,147 --> 00:25:19,667
Further, beyond the new
causeway there's another
previously unknown site.
332
00:25:21,804 --> 00:25:25,306
Heading into the field
outside la corona,
marcello investigates.
333
00:25:26,442 --> 00:25:28,309
Marcello: This is it.
334
00:25:28,411 --> 00:25:30,211
Okay.
335
00:25:37,236 --> 00:25:40,137
Albert: Before the
lidar survey, marcello
would never have found
336
00:25:40,239 --> 00:25:42,840
Anything hidden in this jungle.
337
00:25:46,546 --> 00:25:48,846
Marcello: Oh, yeah, yeah.
338
00:25:48,948 --> 00:25:50,247
Albert: But right on cue.
339
00:25:50,349 --> 00:25:51,966
Marcello: There it is!
340
00:26:00,443 --> 00:26:02,743
Marcello: There's
the main structure.
341
00:26:02,845 --> 00:26:06,413
How cool is this?
Yep, this is the big one.
342
00:26:07,049 --> 00:26:09,099
This is the main structure.
343
00:26:09,201 --> 00:26:12,069
Albert: The lidar map
has led marcello to
some ancient remains
344
00:26:12,171 --> 00:26:15,205
Completely new
to archaeology.
345
00:26:16,275 --> 00:26:18,676
Marcello: And
there's the other one,
there's the other one.
346
00:26:19,078 --> 00:26:22,212
These are the two main
structures in the site
that we were looking for.
347
00:26:23,516 --> 00:26:25,833
Albert: It's a massive find.
348
00:26:27,370 --> 00:26:31,538
An entire settlement
less than a day's March
north of la corona.
349
00:26:37,980 --> 00:26:43,267
Future excavations will seek
to reveal more about this site
and la corona itself.
350
00:26:46,939 --> 00:26:50,441
Marcello: In the
simplest way possible we
found a new site today,
351
00:26:50,977 --> 00:26:52,176
That's a good day.
352
00:26:52,278 --> 00:26:54,411
That's a really good day.
353
00:26:56,949 --> 00:26:59,333
Albert: Back at the
main site in la corona
354
00:26:59,435 --> 00:27:03,170
Excavations have been
underway for over a decade,
355
00:27:03,272 --> 00:27:06,840
And it still continues
to yield treasures.
356
00:27:11,147 --> 00:27:15,466
Marcello: Working in a
place like la corona is
almost a full time job.
357
00:27:17,703 --> 00:27:22,272
So after 12 years it becomes
just part of your life.
358
00:27:23,042 --> 00:27:26,610
So of course it holds
that kind of special
place for all of us,
359
00:27:26,712 --> 00:27:30,314
Because this is something
that we've dedicated our
professional lives to.
360
00:27:33,269 --> 00:27:37,571
Albert: One of the biggest
finds of all is being dug
from the ground this season.
361
00:27:40,109 --> 00:27:43,510
A lavishly carved
stone monument.
362
00:27:46,582 --> 00:27:51,168
Marcello made the discovery
beneath a collapsed temple
363
00:27:51,404 --> 00:27:54,938
In one of la corona's
grand plazas
364
00:27:55,041 --> 00:27:58,842
Right at the heart
of the ancient city.
365
00:28:00,713 --> 00:28:05,666
Carvings on the monument
contain clues to one of the
most powerful royal dynasties
366
00:28:05,768 --> 00:28:08,502
The maya ever knew.
367
00:28:09,004 --> 00:28:11,739
The snake kings.
368
00:28:13,609 --> 00:28:17,478
For over a century
experts have worked to
decode maya writing,
369
00:28:19,582 --> 00:28:22,933
And much of it still
remains a mystery.
370
00:28:23,969 --> 00:28:27,971
But they have been able
to decipher the story
of the snake kings,
371
00:28:28,908 --> 00:28:34,712
Who rose in the north and
conquered city after city,
including la corona.
372
00:28:39,702 --> 00:28:43,937
Morning, the beginning of a
crucial day at la corona.
373
00:28:46,742 --> 00:28:49,943
Marcello and his team
are preparing to lift
the precious monument
374
00:28:50,045 --> 00:28:55,766
And transport it to safety,
at guatemala's national
museum of archaeology.
375
00:28:58,337 --> 00:29:01,839
Its shape and location leave
the team in no doubt that
376
00:29:01,941 --> 00:29:06,076
This is a sacred ritual altar.
377
00:29:07,780 --> 00:29:12,733
Marcello: We have evidence
on the very surface of this
altar of some burning,
378
00:29:13,102 --> 00:29:16,603
Some kind of ritual
that involves fire.
379
00:29:17,640 --> 00:29:21,341
The kinds of rituals that
were involved here are
difficult to imagine.
380
00:29:22,178 --> 00:29:24,745
Rituals that in other sites
involve burning would have
381
00:29:24,847 --> 00:29:27,548
Involved some form
of blood-letting.
382
00:29:28,384 --> 00:29:32,135
Albert: Torture and death were
fundamental to maya belief.
383
00:29:32,905 --> 00:29:38,675
On sacred altars ceremonies
would be held to appease the
gods with human sacrifice.
384
00:29:43,282 --> 00:29:46,333
Guatemalan archaeologist,
alejandro gonzalez began
385
00:29:46,435 --> 00:29:49,269
Excavating the altar
over a year ago.
386
00:30:10,876 --> 00:30:13,911
Marcello: So right now
we're finally setting
up the scaffolding
387
00:30:14,013 --> 00:30:18,081
That's going to be required
to lift the altar.
388
00:30:20,135 --> 00:30:25,105
Albert: Made from solid
limestone, it's twice the
weight of a grand piano.
389
00:30:26,542 --> 00:30:29,576
Marcello: This is the
moment we've been waiting
for for about a year.
390
00:30:29,678 --> 00:30:32,546
So we'll see how this works.
391
00:30:44,877 --> 00:30:47,244
So this is it.
392
00:30:59,608 --> 00:31:01,708
Marcello: Minutes ago like the
whole altar slightly moved,
393
00:31:01,810 --> 00:31:04,444
And I was thinking to myself,
you know, that's the first
time this altar has moved in
394
00:31:04,547 --> 00:31:07,948
The last 1500 years.
395
00:31:12,371 --> 00:31:16,540
Everything is starting to
tense up, both my nerves
as well as the ropes.
396
00:31:18,811 --> 00:31:23,914
Albert: For archaeologists
it's the altar's inscriptions
that are most important,
397
00:31:24,416 --> 00:31:27,701
With clues to the epic rise
of the maya snake kings
398
00:31:29,305 --> 00:31:33,073
Hidden in its delicate
and intricate carvings.
399
00:31:34,910 --> 00:31:39,746
The altar depicts a
powerful king of la corona
and it reveals his name,
400
00:31:40,516 --> 00:31:45,535
Chak took ich'aak, a known
ally of the snake kings.
401
00:31:48,540 --> 00:31:52,042
And a longer inscription
even tells us when it was
dedicated,
402
00:31:52,144 --> 00:31:56,446
May 12th 544 ad.
403
00:31:59,585 --> 00:32:03,770
Until this discovery,
no-one knew that the
powerful chak took ich'aak
404
00:32:03,872 --> 00:32:07,174
Had anything to do
with la corona at all.
405
00:32:10,579 --> 00:32:14,915
But the altar's snake king
inscriptions fit with the
406
00:32:15,017 --> 00:32:19,202
New discoveries revealed
in the lidar map.
407
00:32:20,372 --> 00:32:23,674
Marcello: From la corona
this is exactly in the
direction that one would
408
00:32:23,776 --> 00:32:28,312
Walk to go to calakmul, the
capital of the snake kings.
409
00:32:30,950 --> 00:32:34,368
Albert: It turns out that
marcello's newly revealed
causeway and settlements
410
00:32:34,470 --> 00:32:38,705
Went directly to the
snake's capital city,
far to the north.
411
00:32:42,745 --> 00:32:46,213
Marcello: What we think is
going on is that for the snake
kings to do everything they
412
00:32:46,315 --> 00:32:50,300
Wanted to do in the rest of
the maya world they needed
to go through la corona.
413
00:32:53,806 --> 00:32:58,709
(speaking spanish).
414
00:32:58,811 --> 00:33:02,713
Albert: Back in la
corona's ancient plaza,
marcello and his team
415
00:33:02,815 --> 00:33:06,967
Have been working
in scorching heat
for eight hours,
416
00:33:08,971 --> 00:33:12,606
Gradually inching the
altar from the ground.
417
00:33:13,742 --> 00:33:15,242
Marcello: It's lifted.
418
00:33:15,344 --> 00:33:17,911
We're holding its weight
and we're now just
trying to guide it.
419
00:33:21,517 --> 00:33:24,768
Albert: Time is running out.
420
00:33:26,839 --> 00:33:29,573
Marcello: It's going to be
our last shot because we're
going to lose the light
421
00:33:29,675 --> 00:33:33,910
In about half an hour, in
less than an hour we'll
lose the light for sure.
422
00:33:35,080 --> 00:33:38,315
Albert: After more than a
1,000 years in the ground
the precious altar hangs
423
00:33:38,417 --> 00:33:41,501
Precariously in the air.
424
00:33:41,804 --> 00:33:46,173
(shouting)
425
00:33:46,275 --> 00:33:48,508
Marcello: Efraim,
efraim, efraim, efraim.
426
00:34:01,707 --> 00:34:04,741
Albert: The
point of no return.
427
00:34:05,244 --> 00:34:09,312
A ton of ancient maya
altar is hanging from a
fragile jungle scaffold.
428
00:34:12,668 --> 00:34:16,636
Night is fast approaching and
the altar is still not safe.
429
00:34:33,238 --> 00:34:35,806
Marcello: Oh, my
god, it's on the truck.
430
00:34:35,908 --> 00:34:37,007
-It's on the truck.
431
00:34:37,109 --> 00:34:39,476
Marcello: It's on the truck.
432
00:34:39,912 --> 00:34:43,146
I'm never finding another
monument in my life!
433
00:34:51,173 --> 00:34:54,407
Albert: At last
they've done it.
434
00:35:02,634 --> 00:35:06,036
Marcello: I'm ecstatic, I'm
exhausted, but I'm ecstatic.
435
00:35:20,736 --> 00:35:24,938
Albert: Back on guatemala's
border with mexico the rain's
finally cleared and
436
00:35:25,040 --> 00:35:30,410
I'm with archaeologist
omar alcover on the trail
of another ancient city.
437
00:35:39,838 --> 00:35:43,940
We just made it another
10 miles down the river
in this wilderness,
438
00:35:44,042 --> 00:35:46,176
This thick, deep jungle.
439
00:35:46,278 --> 00:35:49,946
And we're now at one of the
most important archaeological
sites in all of the maya
440
00:35:50,048 --> 00:35:54,067
World, and yet we're still in
the most remote part of the
guatemalan jungle.
441
00:35:56,772 --> 00:35:59,940
I've already explored a mighty
fortress at macabilero,
442
00:36:00,108 --> 00:36:05,212
Now I'm heading for an
ancient city called
piedras negras.
443
00:36:09,601 --> 00:36:13,403
Far beyond the pacunam
survey area, omar is a
part of a team using a
444
00:36:13,505 --> 00:36:17,507
New technology that
could be another game
changer in archaeology.
445
00:36:21,480 --> 00:36:25,682
Here they've been
doing lidar using drones.
446
00:36:28,203 --> 00:36:32,839
It's more flexible than using
conventional aircraft, and
much more affordable.
447
00:36:36,211 --> 00:36:41,014
Right now this technology
is experimental, but the
potential is massive.
448
00:36:43,502 --> 00:36:45,602
The trees are so thick here.
449
00:36:45,704 --> 00:36:47,537
Omar: Yeah.
450
00:36:48,740 --> 00:36:51,942
Albert: I've built the very
first data map of piedras negras
451
00:36:52,044 --> 00:36:55,045
Into my augmented
reality platform,
452
00:36:56,248 --> 00:37:00,000
And I'm hoping it will let me
see through this dense jungle.
453
00:37:00,168 --> 00:37:03,036
Trees... No trees.
454
00:37:04,072 --> 00:37:06,773
That is awesome.
455
00:37:07,309 --> 00:37:08,508
Wow.
456
00:37:08,610 --> 00:37:09,876
Omar: Oh, wow.
457
00:37:09,978 --> 00:37:12,279
Albert: So that's a building?
Omar: Yeah.
458
00:37:14,016 --> 00:37:16,132
Albert: Whoa, look at that.
What is that?
459
00:37:16,235 --> 00:37:18,401
Omar: Yeah, that's a pyramid.
460
00:37:18,503 --> 00:37:22,038
Albert: That is so
awesome, it's like a
window into the past.
461
00:37:22,140 --> 00:37:23,540
This is incredible.
462
00:37:23,642 --> 00:37:25,141
I mean this is just...
463
00:37:25,244 --> 00:37:27,177
It's almost like magic,
you know, all of a sudden
464
00:37:27,279 --> 00:37:29,779
You can just delete the
trees and there you go.
465
00:37:31,516 --> 00:37:34,334
For the very first time,
thanks to drone lidar,
466
00:37:34,436 --> 00:37:37,837
I can see the ancient
remains of what were once
467
00:37:37,940 --> 00:37:42,042
The giant pyramids of
a lavish royal court.
468
00:37:45,080 --> 00:37:49,299
Excavations are even helping
to predict how many of the
buildings might have looked.
469
00:37:55,207 --> 00:37:59,342
They're so different from the
first fortress at macabilero.
470
00:37:59,444 --> 00:38:04,981
Omar's in no doubt, this royal
court was built by a different
group of maya people.
471
00:38:06,368 --> 00:38:12,405
And he believes that the
two groups were at war.
472
00:38:14,443 --> 00:38:16,776
Did something happen
between here and macabilero?
473
00:38:16,878 --> 00:38:20,847
Omar: Yeah. I mean
macabilero gets abandoned,
but piedras negras rose,
474
00:38:20,949 --> 00:38:24,367
Not only in power,
but in population and
size immediately after
475
00:38:24,469 --> 00:38:26,736
Macabilero was abandoned.
476
00:38:26,838 --> 00:38:28,004
Albert: So something
must have gone down?
477
00:38:28,106 --> 00:38:29,839
Omar: Mmhmm.
478
00:38:38,984 --> 00:38:44,404
Albert: It's intriguing to
think that 2,000 years ago
479
00:38:44,506 --> 00:38:47,574
This lavish royal
court of piedras negras
480
00:38:47,676 --> 00:38:51,978
Could have been at war with the
nearby settlement of macabilero.
481
00:38:54,383 --> 00:38:59,803
And omar believes that
conflict might have continued
for more than 600 years,
482
00:39:01,340 --> 00:39:05,709
Until around 350 ad, when the
fortress of macabilero fell
483
00:39:05,811 --> 00:39:09,612
And its settlement
was abandoned.
484
00:39:12,467 --> 00:39:18,738
Piedras negras was
victorious and flourished
into a mighty maya kingdom.
485
00:39:22,878 --> 00:39:24,611
Omar: Its name in
ancient mayan...
486
00:39:24,713 --> 00:39:25,779
Albert: Would have been what?
487
00:39:25,881 --> 00:39:26,913
Omar: Would have been yo'k'ib.
488
00:39:27,015 --> 00:39:28,481
Albert: Yo'k'ib.
What does that mean?
489
00:39:28,583 --> 00:39:30,900
Omar: It's like the
home of the turtle lords.
490
00:39:31,002 --> 00:39:32,836
Albert: The turtle lords?
Omar: Mmhmm.
491
00:39:32,938 --> 00:39:36,172
So that's how the royal
court identified themselves,
as the turtle lords.
492
00:39:36,775 --> 00:39:38,541
Albert: We're standing on
the hallowed grounds of the
493
00:39:38,643 --> 00:39:40,377
Ancient turtle lords right now?
494
00:39:40,479 --> 00:39:41,911
Omar: Yeah.
495
00:39:42,013 --> 00:39:45,248
Albert: With a
window into their world.
496
00:39:46,835 --> 00:39:50,703
In maya mythology,
turtles were important.
497
00:39:51,940 --> 00:39:56,376
Their shells were
associated with earth
gods and represented
498
00:39:56,478 --> 00:40:00,146
The cracked soil that
crops grew from.
499
00:40:01,183 --> 00:40:03,867
The turtle lord of piedras
negras were the self-styled
500
00:40:03,969 --> 00:40:07,504
Lords of the life-giving
earth itself.
501
00:40:09,975 --> 00:40:13,309
Oh, look at this, this
is an actual room, huh?
502
00:40:13,412 --> 00:40:15,211
Omar: Yeah, so this is the
entrance to one of them.
503
00:40:15,313 --> 00:40:17,680
Albert: Wow.
504
00:40:17,783 --> 00:40:23,036
Exploring the grand royal
court of piedras negras I can
still sense their power.
505
00:40:26,608 --> 00:40:30,827
Look at these massive stairs
and these terraced mounds.
506
00:40:31,046 --> 00:40:34,647
You're basically looking at
the blood, sweat and tears of
hundreds and hundreds of
507
00:40:34,749 --> 00:40:37,333
People over many generations.
508
00:40:37,436 --> 00:40:41,504
Omar: Yeah, so that's what
basically highlights the
power these kings had,
509
00:40:41,873 --> 00:40:45,608
Able to mobilize all of
the resources and people
that would have been
510
00:40:45,710 --> 00:40:48,445
Necessary to build
a space like this.
511
00:40:48,547 --> 00:40:52,449
It really accentuates
the power of the turtle
lords here.
512
00:40:54,703 --> 00:40:58,238
Albert: And now, after
centuries of decay,
modern archaeology and
513
00:40:58,340 --> 00:41:02,108
Cutting-edge lidar from
drones can fully reveal this
514
00:41:02,210 --> 00:41:06,312
Incredible ancient palace
for the very first time.
515
00:41:09,868 --> 00:41:14,571
Before lidar most of
what we knew of maya
war came from drawings
516
00:41:14,673 --> 00:41:18,608
Depicting ritual conflict
and the capture of kings.
517
00:41:19,811 --> 00:41:23,680
But now that's
completely changing.
518
00:41:26,201 --> 00:41:29,202
Revealed by new technology...
519
00:41:34,643 --> 00:41:37,844
Albert: A fortified citadel at
the heart of the maya world,
520
00:41:38,613 --> 00:41:41,147
With ramparts, watch-towers,
521
00:41:41,249 --> 00:41:44,434
And even the incredibly rare
evidence of a weapon of war.
522
00:41:46,538 --> 00:41:48,972
Edwin: That's a
really cool find.
523
00:41:49,774 --> 00:41:53,476
Albert: A ritual altar
connecting the city of
la corona to the powerful
524
00:41:53,578 --> 00:41:56,613
Warring dynasty of
the snake kings.
525
00:41:57,716 --> 00:42:01,701
Marcello: That's the first
time this altar has moved
in the last 1500 years.
526
00:42:01,970 --> 00:42:05,805
Albert: And a settlement
pointing towards their
capital far to the north.
527
00:42:07,275 --> 00:42:10,376
Marcello: There it is.
There's the main structure.
528
00:42:10,779 --> 00:42:13,346
How cool is this?
529
00:42:14,349 --> 00:42:18,935
Albert: All newly discovered
evidence of conflict being
made by technology.
530
00:42:21,072 --> 00:42:25,808
Tom: It's a much more
sophisticated idea of conflict
and war than you think of when
531
00:42:25,911 --> 00:42:29,979
You see pictures of
maya kings capturing
a single person by the
532
00:42:30,081 --> 00:42:32,315
Hair in battle, you know.
533
00:42:32,417 --> 00:42:34,167
That's a single event.
534
00:42:34,269 --> 00:42:36,302
Marcello: This tells you
this is not small scale.
535
00:42:36,404 --> 00:42:38,371
These are, this is a landscape
536
00:42:38,473 --> 00:42:42,942
That is riddled with conflict
and was for centuries,
537
00:42:43,345 --> 00:42:46,479
And this is something that we
would never have been able to
tell without the lidar.
538
00:42:49,501 --> 00:42:53,903
Albert: With tens of thousands
of new lidar discoveries still
waiting to be explored...
539
00:42:54,973 --> 00:42:56,072
Tom: It's incredible.
540
00:42:56,174 --> 00:42:57,807
It's a revolution
in our field.
541
00:42:57,909 --> 00:43:01,010
It is changing the way
that we do maya archaeology.
542
00:43:01,880 --> 00:43:05,648
Albert: The jungles of central
america can only have more
secrets to give up.
543
00:43:07,435 --> 00:43:10,336
Tom: We're definitely
talking about a period
that is pre-lidar and
544
00:43:10,438 --> 00:43:15,608
Post-lidar in maya archaeology,
and everything that we know now
545
00:43:15,710 --> 00:43:18,645
Is going to be different
from what we knew before.
546
00:43:18,763 --> 00:43:20,480
It's that big of a change.
547
00:43:20,582 --> 00:43:23,066
Albert: It almost feels
like the invention of the
cat scan or the x-ray,
548
00:43:23,168 --> 00:43:25,768
But for archaeology.
549
00:43:29,207 --> 00:43:33,376
From high in the sky
to beneath the trees,
550
00:43:33,945 --> 00:43:36,913
Into the very depths
of the maya world,
551
00:43:37,015 --> 00:43:41,367
Archaeologists are still
just beginning to reveal
552
00:43:41,469 --> 00:43:45,505
The extraordinary world
of one of our planet's
553
00:43:45,607 --> 00:43:48,675
Greatest ancient
civilizations,
554
00:43:49,110 --> 00:43:53,346
The mysterious jungle
kingdoms of the maya.
555
00:43:57,669 --> 00:43:58,968
Captioned by cotter
captioning services.
53811
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get subtitles in any language from opensubtitles.com, and translate them here.