1 00:00:01,530 --> 00:00:05,330 Well, it is 3:30 in the morning, and I am at the airport 2 00:00:05,330 --> 00:00:09,740 because we got an email from dr. Richard hansen. 3 00:00:09,740 --> 00:00:12,370 And that means I'm going to guatemala. 4 00:00:12,380 --> 00:00:16,440 ♪ 5 00:00:16,450 --> 00:00:17,850 -how are you? -Good to see you! 6 00:00:17,850 --> 00:00:19,180 Good to see you! 7 00:00:19,180 --> 00:00:23,820 -You got something to show me? -Yeah, I think we do. 8 00:00:23,820 --> 00:00:25,190 All right, guys. Come here. Check this out. 9 00:00:25,190 --> 00:00:27,920 You got something? Yeah, you do. Look at that. 10 00:00:27,920 --> 00:00:30,860 None of the tombs of these snake kings have ever been found? 11 00:00:30,860 --> 00:00:33,160 No. Never been found. 12 00:00:33,160 --> 00:00:36,960 Let's see if one of them might be up here. 13 00:00:36,970 --> 00:00:39,000 -Whoa! -Whoa! 14 00:00:39,000 --> 00:00:40,730 Comin' in! 15 00:00:40,740 --> 00:00:43,540 Did we just find find a lost city? 16 00:00:43,540 --> 00:00:46,410 Man, let's punch it. 17 00:00:46,410 --> 00:00:48,910 Nobody in the modern world has ever seen this. 18 00:00:48,910 --> 00:00:51,280 That's right. 19 00:00:51,280 --> 00:00:55,850 Wow! Look at this! Amazing. 20 00:00:55,850 --> 00:00:59,420 ♪ 21 00:00:59,420 --> 00:01:01,820 when people ask me which of my expeditions 22 00:01:01,820 --> 00:01:03,920 has been the most thrilling, 23 00:01:03,930 --> 00:01:06,590 which site has been the most jaw-dropping, 24 00:01:06,600 --> 00:01:09,700 and which legend has been the most mysterious, 25 00:01:09,700 --> 00:01:14,270 my answer is simple -- the lost city of el mirador. 26 00:01:14,270 --> 00:01:19,040 ♪ 27 00:01:19,040 --> 00:01:22,480 emerging from the dense rainforests of central america, 28 00:01:22,480 --> 00:01:26,780 this maya metropolis was lorded over by an enigmatic dynasty 29 00:01:26,780 --> 00:01:29,120 known as the snake kings. 30 00:01:29,120 --> 00:01:31,720 Their empire rose to incredible heights 31 00:01:31,720 --> 00:01:35,960 before collapsing back into the jungle two millennia ago. 32 00:01:35,960 --> 00:01:39,290 The tombs of the snake kings have never been found. 33 00:01:39,300 --> 00:01:42,200 So over a year ago, I set off on a mission 34 00:01:42,200 --> 00:01:46,400 to join the man trying to change all of that. 35 00:01:46,400 --> 00:01:47,840 Dr. Richard hansen has been 36 00:01:47,840 --> 00:01:51,770 uncovering the secrets of el mirador for three decades, 37 00:01:51,770 --> 00:01:53,240 and may be on the verge 38 00:01:53,240 --> 00:01:55,480 of revealing the final resting place 39 00:01:55,480 --> 00:01:59,810 of the city's legendary rulers. 40 00:01:59,820 --> 00:02:02,550 It was a thrilling and dangerous mission 41 00:02:02,550 --> 00:02:05,450 that resulted in an historic find. 42 00:02:05,450 --> 00:02:07,720 And now, there's news of what might be 43 00:02:07,720 --> 00:02:11,020 a truly monumental new discovery at the site. 44 00:02:11,030 --> 00:02:13,430 ♪ 45 00:02:13,430 --> 00:02:16,530 which is why we're going back. 46 00:02:16,530 --> 00:02:19,270 Have the snake kings been found? 47 00:02:19,270 --> 00:02:21,700 These ruins keep calling me back, 48 00:02:21,700 --> 00:02:24,100 and they have more secrets to share. 49 00:02:24,110 --> 00:02:26,410 So get ready to live the adventure 50 00:02:26,410 --> 00:02:29,010 before returning to the jungles of guatemala 51 00:02:29,010 --> 00:02:32,780 for the next chapter in the search for the snake kings. 52 00:02:32,780 --> 00:02:35,520 ♪ 53 00:02:35,520 --> 00:02:37,050 my name is josh gates... 54 00:02:37,050 --> 00:02:38,320 Ay-yi-yi! 55 00:02:38,320 --> 00:02:41,020 ...Explorer, adventurer... 56 00:02:41,020 --> 00:02:42,720 Oh, my god! 57 00:02:42,730 --> 00:02:46,360 ...And a guy who ends up in some very strange situations. 58 00:02:46,360 --> 00:02:49,100 All right, I gotta find an off ramp around here. 59 00:02:49,100 --> 00:02:50,260 With a degree in archaeology 60 00:02:50,270 --> 00:02:52,530 and a passion for the unexplained, 61 00:02:52,540 --> 00:02:54,400 I travel to the ends of the earth, 62 00:02:54,400 --> 00:02:57,340 investigating the greatest legends in history. 63 00:02:57,340 --> 00:02:58,940 Okay, let's punch it. 64 00:02:58,940 --> 00:03:01,310 This is "expedition unknown." 65 00:03:01,310 --> 00:03:04,310 -- captions by vitac -- www.Vitac.Com 66 00:03:04,310 --> 00:03:07,310 captions paid for by discovery communications 67 00:03:07,320 --> 00:03:09,120 my first investigation into the mysteries 68 00:03:09,120 --> 00:03:10,980 of the lost city of el mirador 69 00:03:10,990 --> 00:03:13,420 began hundreds of miles from the ruins 70 00:03:13,420 --> 00:03:16,820 in guatemala city. 71 00:03:16,830 --> 00:03:18,860 Until the spanish arrived in the 1500s, 72 00:03:18,860 --> 00:03:21,430 guatemala was the domain of the maya, 73 00:03:21,430 --> 00:03:23,560 one of the most advanced civilizations 74 00:03:23,570 --> 00:03:25,000 of the ancient world. 75 00:03:25,000 --> 00:03:28,500 Even guatemala city here sits on top of a huge mayan ruin, 76 00:03:28,500 --> 00:03:30,000 though, today, you'd hardly know it. 77 00:03:30,010 --> 00:03:32,740 Today, this is a big, noisy, congested metropolis, 78 00:03:32,740 --> 00:03:34,840 home to over three million people. 79 00:03:34,840 --> 00:03:37,310 But if you look closely, 80 00:03:37,310 --> 00:03:41,980 signs of the ancient maya are everywhere. 81 00:03:41,980 --> 00:03:44,590 Nowhere is that more clear than at my first stop, 82 00:03:44,590 --> 00:03:46,350 the national museum of guatemala. 83 00:03:46,360 --> 00:03:49,660 ♪ 84 00:03:49,660 --> 00:03:53,260 within these galleries are the great treasures of the maya, 85 00:03:53,260 --> 00:03:56,230 jade funeral masks, monumental sculptures, 86 00:03:56,230 --> 00:03:58,830 and intricately carved glyphs. 87 00:03:58,830 --> 00:04:00,700 At their height, they were the most advanced 88 00:04:00,700 --> 00:04:02,670 civilization in the americas, 89 00:04:02,670 --> 00:04:05,510 with a population of more than two million. 90 00:04:05,510 --> 00:04:08,940 Their empire of cities stretched from southeastern mexico 91 00:04:08,940 --> 00:04:11,250 through all of guatemala and belize 92 00:04:11,250 --> 00:04:14,650 and sections of honduras and el salvador. 93 00:04:14,650 --> 00:04:17,480 To understand how the mysterious ruins of el mirador 94 00:04:17,490 --> 00:04:20,690 and the legendary snake kings fit into maya history, 95 00:04:20,690 --> 00:04:23,120 I'm meeting with dr. Stanley guenter. 96 00:04:23,130 --> 00:04:25,330 And so you are -- I want to make sure I get this right, 97 00:04:25,330 --> 00:04:27,030 you are an epigrapher. 98 00:04:27,030 --> 00:04:28,460 Yep. So an epigrapher is someone 99 00:04:28,460 --> 00:04:30,100 who studies ancient maya hieroglyphs. 100 00:04:30,100 --> 00:04:31,330 Right. 101 00:04:31,330 --> 00:04:32,830 But what we know is that there's a big division 102 00:04:32,840 --> 00:04:35,470 between what we call the pre-classic period 103 00:04:35,470 --> 00:04:37,500 and the classic period. 104 00:04:37,510 --> 00:04:39,570 Gates: Okay, here's the deal. 105 00:04:39,580 --> 00:04:43,040 Archaeologists divide maya history into several periods. 106 00:04:43,050 --> 00:04:45,150 Almost everything you and I know about the maya 107 00:04:45,150 --> 00:04:46,850 comes from the classic period. 108 00:04:46,850 --> 00:04:48,750 This was when powerful maya kingdoms 109 00:04:48,750 --> 00:04:50,950 built elaborate cities like tikal 110 00:04:50,950 --> 00:04:52,490 and, later, chichen itza. 111 00:04:52,490 --> 00:04:56,390 It's the height of their art, architecture, and engineering. 112 00:04:56,390 --> 00:04:58,230 Prior to this, though, is the longer 113 00:04:58,230 --> 00:05:01,230 and far less understood pre-classic period, 114 00:05:01,230 --> 00:05:05,700 which experts long believed was a more primitive civilization. 115 00:05:05,700 --> 00:05:07,870 And some time around the year 150, 116 00:05:07,870 --> 00:05:11,040 this pre-classic kingdom completely collapses, 117 00:05:11,040 --> 00:05:13,940 so much so that we can barely read their writing. 118 00:05:13,940 --> 00:05:17,280 ♪ 119 00:05:17,280 --> 00:05:20,150 this society was ruled by a powerful dynasty 120 00:05:20,150 --> 00:05:22,380 known as the snake kings. 121 00:05:22,380 --> 00:05:23,580 Much of what we know about them 122 00:05:23,590 --> 00:05:25,850 is derived from an incredible artifact 123 00:05:25,850 --> 00:05:29,460 currently housed in the museum's storage vault, 124 00:05:29,460 --> 00:05:31,930 something known as a dynastic vase, 125 00:05:31,930 --> 00:05:33,630 an object that may be the key 126 00:05:33,630 --> 00:05:37,660 to locating the remains of the snake kings. 127 00:05:37,670 --> 00:05:39,100 And what makes this so special? 128 00:05:39,100 --> 00:05:42,040 It gives us the names of the earliest snake kings, 129 00:05:42,040 --> 00:05:43,270 and from this vase, 130 00:05:43,270 --> 00:05:46,810 we know there were at least 19 of these guys. 131 00:05:46,810 --> 00:05:48,780 Gates: The dynastic vase reveals the identity 132 00:05:48,780 --> 00:05:51,240 of 19 powerful snake kings 133 00:05:51,250 --> 00:05:53,910 from the mysterious pre-classic period, 134 00:05:53,920 --> 00:05:56,250 but some key details are missing 135 00:05:56,250 --> 00:05:58,150 like what happened to their kingdom, 136 00:05:58,150 --> 00:06:00,350 and where are they buried? 137 00:06:00,360 --> 00:06:03,160 So this was found where? 138 00:06:03,160 --> 00:06:04,560 It was found by looters 139 00:06:04,560 --> 00:06:07,060 somewhere in the site of el mirador. 140 00:06:07,060 --> 00:06:08,960 So does it stand to reason, then, that if these guys 141 00:06:08,960 --> 00:06:10,400 were ruling around el mirador, 142 00:06:10,400 --> 00:06:15,770 there could be 19 undisturbed tombs of the snake kings there? 143 00:06:15,770 --> 00:06:17,200 There definitely should be. 144 00:06:17,210 --> 00:06:19,170 If you were gonna get any further answers 145 00:06:19,170 --> 00:06:20,510 to your questions, 146 00:06:20,510 --> 00:06:22,040 I think you're gonna have to head off to el mirador. 147 00:06:22,040 --> 00:06:23,980 It's easy to get to, though, right? 148 00:06:23,980 --> 00:06:25,680 Not that easy. 149 00:06:25,680 --> 00:06:30,780 ♪ 150 00:06:30,790 --> 00:06:32,890 gates: Getting to el mirador requires a flight 151 00:06:32,890 --> 00:06:35,090 to the island town of flores. 152 00:06:35,090 --> 00:06:37,190 Then we charter twin helicopters 153 00:06:37,190 --> 00:06:41,460 for the long trip into the jungle. 154 00:06:41,460 --> 00:06:42,830 Okay, guys, we are leaving. 155 00:06:42,830 --> 00:06:44,160 Anybody who wants to go to the jungle, 156 00:06:44,170 --> 00:06:45,470 get in the helicopter. 157 00:06:45,470 --> 00:06:50,070 ♪ 158 00:06:50,070 --> 00:06:51,340 the choppers lift off, 159 00:06:51,340 --> 00:06:53,210 and our last glimpse of the modern world 160 00:06:53,210 --> 00:06:54,780 disappears beneath us... 161 00:06:54,780 --> 00:06:59,580 ♪ 162 00:06:59,580 --> 00:07:04,450 ...And we chart a course straight into the unknown. 163 00:07:04,450 --> 00:07:07,090 North of flores is a massive protected zone 164 00:07:07,090 --> 00:07:11,260 known as the maya biosphere reserve. 165 00:07:11,260 --> 00:07:14,160 It spans more than 8,000 square miles, 166 00:07:14,160 --> 00:07:16,860 and at its heart, a gigantic depression 167 00:07:16,870 --> 00:07:21,130 ringed by limestone hills known as the mirador basin. 168 00:07:21,140 --> 00:07:22,800 Inside, a rainforest filled 169 00:07:22,810 --> 00:07:25,770 with swamps, jaguars, crocodiles, 170 00:07:25,770 --> 00:07:28,480 and the city of el mirador. 171 00:07:28,480 --> 00:07:31,040 ♪ 172 00:07:31,050 --> 00:07:34,210 both choppers race onward, and after nearly 30 minutes 173 00:07:34,220 --> 00:07:36,450 of soaring over an ocean of green, 174 00:07:36,450 --> 00:07:38,590 we approach the coordinates of the site. 175 00:07:50,170 --> 00:07:52,930 Soon, we realize those bumps are buildings, 176 00:07:52,940 --> 00:07:57,070 massive pyramids and temples rising up from the forest floor. 177 00:08:09,650 --> 00:08:11,320 Okay, here we go! 178 00:08:11,320 --> 00:08:14,420 The choppers quickly depart for the safety of flores, 179 00:08:14,420 --> 00:08:18,460 leaving us feeling very, very stranded. 180 00:08:18,460 --> 00:08:20,090 But at least we're not alone. 181 00:08:20,100 --> 00:08:22,500 We're here to meet archaeologist richard hansen, 182 00:08:22,500 --> 00:08:25,900 who's somewhere in the jungles nearby. 183 00:08:25,900 --> 00:08:29,070 The archaeologists have built a pretty huge sprawling camp, 184 00:08:29,070 --> 00:08:32,270 all sorts of little bungalows and structures. 185 00:08:32,270 --> 00:08:34,040 Finally, I find richard working 186 00:08:34,040 --> 00:08:37,380 in the archaeologist's natural habitat, 187 00:08:37,380 --> 00:08:38,710 the sifting station. 188 00:08:38,710 --> 00:08:40,050 -Richard. -Hi, josh. 189 00:08:40,050 --> 00:08:41,750 -Hey. How are you, man? -Good. How are you doing? 190 00:08:41,750 --> 00:08:43,020 You made it. 191 00:08:43,020 --> 00:08:44,420 How long have you been working out here? 192 00:08:44,420 --> 00:08:46,920 Well, I've been out in this basin 37 years. 193 00:08:46,920 --> 00:08:49,860 So when you first arrived here in the late '70s, 194 00:08:49,860 --> 00:08:51,690 what was the conventional wisdom about this place? 195 00:08:51,690 --> 00:08:54,930 Well, all maya sites were classic. 196 00:08:54,930 --> 00:08:57,030 When did that idea start to change? 197 00:08:57,030 --> 00:08:58,160 We excavated. 198 00:08:58,170 --> 00:08:59,930 We started finding stuff like this. 199 00:08:59,940 --> 00:09:01,000 This pottery? 200 00:09:01,000 --> 00:09:03,300 This is pre-classic, about 150 a.D. 201 00:09:03,310 --> 00:09:05,110 So you started to realize 202 00:09:05,110 --> 00:09:06,410 this pottery is from much earlier. 203 00:09:06,410 --> 00:09:09,210 I realized that maybe the model was wrong, 204 00:09:09,210 --> 00:09:10,940 the entire model 205 00:09:10,950 --> 00:09:12,610 for the evolution of maya civilization 206 00:09:12,610 --> 00:09:14,580 was not correct. 207 00:09:14,580 --> 00:09:19,490 So this place flourished 1,000 years 208 00:09:19,490 --> 00:09:21,520 earlier than anybody thought? -Before tikal, that's right. 209 00:09:21,520 --> 00:09:23,860 So what we're looking at out here, essentially, 210 00:09:23,860 --> 00:09:25,960 the cradle of maya civilization. 211 00:09:25,960 --> 00:09:28,230 How much do we know about the rulers 212 00:09:28,230 --> 00:09:30,100 of el mirador, these snake kings, right? 213 00:09:30,100 --> 00:09:33,430 These kings, they weren't just the king tuts of the new world, 214 00:09:33,440 --> 00:09:34,630 these were the ramses of the... 215 00:09:34,640 --> 00:09:36,500 -The big guys. -The big guys. 216 00:09:36,510 --> 00:09:38,810 And they're not buried in some little hole somewhere. 217 00:09:38,810 --> 00:09:41,040 Now, none of these royal tombs have ever been found. 218 00:09:41,040 --> 00:09:42,210 No, never. 219 00:09:42,210 --> 00:09:44,910 Do you think those royal tombs are here? 220 00:09:44,910 --> 00:09:48,050 We have a strong suspicion they are. 221 00:09:48,050 --> 00:09:50,350 And these tombs, if they're found, 222 00:09:50,350 --> 00:09:52,050 will be loaded. 223 00:09:52,050 --> 00:09:53,120 -Really? -Yeah. 224 00:09:53,120 --> 00:09:54,290 All right. Well, let's get into it. 225 00:09:54,290 --> 00:09:57,990 -Let's go. -Let's go. 226 00:09:57,990 --> 00:10:00,490 Gates: El mirador is a big place. 227 00:10:00,500 --> 00:10:05,730 To get around, richard's team uses atvs on hand-cut trails. 228 00:10:05,730 --> 00:10:07,470 So all of this is part of the site? 229 00:10:07,470 --> 00:10:10,300 All of this is part of the city of el mirador, josh. 230 00:10:10,310 --> 00:10:12,070 -And is this natural here? -Oh, no. 231 00:10:12,070 --> 00:10:14,270 These are pyramids. -All these are pyramids? 232 00:10:14,280 --> 00:10:18,780 These are big, big buildings here, massive, big buildings. 233 00:10:18,780 --> 00:10:21,950 So how many of these buildings are there total in el mirador? 234 00:10:21,950 --> 00:10:23,720 Well, we're still counting, 235 00:10:23,720 --> 00:10:27,120 but we're numbering in the tens of thousands. 236 00:10:27,120 --> 00:10:28,620 -Tens of thousands? -Yes. Oh, yeah. 237 00:10:28,620 --> 00:10:29,860 Get out of town. 238 00:10:29,860 --> 00:10:32,890 No, it's unbelievable. 239 00:10:32,890 --> 00:10:33,990 Gates: Coming up... 240 00:10:34,000 --> 00:10:35,230 -Up, up, up, up. -[ groans ] 241 00:10:35,230 --> 00:10:38,130 my adventure to the ruins of el mirador continues. 242 00:10:38,130 --> 00:10:39,770 -Oh, my gosh. -Look at it! 243 00:10:39,770 --> 00:10:41,330 And then... 244 00:10:41,340 --> 00:10:42,740 There he is. The man himself. 245 00:10:42,740 --> 00:10:45,010 A dramatic return to the site. 246 00:10:45,010 --> 00:10:47,140 -What'd you find? -It'd be best if we show you. 247 00:10:47,140 --> 00:10:49,640 Gates: And a discovery that could reveal 248 00:10:49,650 --> 00:10:51,880 the long lost snake kings. 249 00:10:51,880 --> 00:10:53,410 Looks like at the bottom, there's an opening. 250 00:10:53,420 --> 00:10:54,550 There he is. 251 00:10:54,550 --> 00:10:55,620 ♪ 252 00:11:02,560 --> 00:11:05,890 ♪ 253 00:11:05,890 --> 00:11:07,730 gates: A year ago, my search 254 00:11:07,730 --> 00:11:10,230 for the legendary snake kings of the maya 255 00:11:10,230 --> 00:11:13,100 brought me to the jungle ruins of el mirador. 256 00:11:13,100 --> 00:11:16,500 Now, we're reliving our first mission before rushing back 257 00:11:16,510 --> 00:11:20,410 to investigate a dramatic new discovery. 258 00:11:20,410 --> 00:11:22,540 During my first trip, site director 259 00:11:22,540 --> 00:11:26,610 dr. Richard hansen brought me deep into the overgrown city, 260 00:11:26,620 --> 00:11:29,050 where I'm learning that the scale of el mirador 261 00:11:29,050 --> 00:11:32,190 is larger than I ever could have imagined. 262 00:11:32,190 --> 00:11:35,320 So how many of these buildings are there total in el mirador? 263 00:11:35,320 --> 00:11:37,120 Well, we're still counting, 264 00:11:37,130 --> 00:11:40,660 but we're numbering in the tens of thousands. 265 00:11:40,660 --> 00:11:41,660 -Tens of thousands? -Yes. 266 00:11:41,660 --> 00:11:43,230 -Oh, yeah. -Get out of town. 267 00:11:43,230 --> 00:11:46,530 No, it's unbelievable. 268 00:11:46,540 --> 00:11:48,540 Gates: It's hard to even comprehend. 269 00:11:48,540 --> 00:11:52,670 We're driving through more than 500 square miles of ruins 270 00:11:52,670 --> 00:11:58,280 and a city with a footprint larger than los angeles. 271 00:11:58,280 --> 00:12:00,480 Okay, so where are we in the city now? 272 00:12:00,480 --> 00:12:02,620 We're on the great central plaza of the city. 273 00:12:02,620 --> 00:12:03,980 -We're on a plaza? -On a plaza. 274 00:12:03,990 --> 00:12:05,350 Oh, this is all artificial. 275 00:12:05,350 --> 00:12:07,750 Wait, if you strip away all these trees... 276 00:12:07,760 --> 00:12:08,990 You're on a cement floor. 277 00:12:08,990 --> 00:12:11,160 What do you mean cement? Like, actually cement? 278 00:12:11,160 --> 00:12:12,360 Cement. Lime plaster. 279 00:12:12,360 --> 00:12:13,830 So all of their plazas, 280 00:12:13,830 --> 00:12:15,930 all of these areas, they were plastered? 281 00:12:15,930 --> 00:12:17,160 They were paved. They were paved. 282 00:12:17,170 --> 00:12:18,670 -They were paved. -This whole city was paved. 283 00:12:18,670 --> 00:12:21,840 -All of it? -All of it. 284 00:12:21,840 --> 00:12:25,210 Gates: Every inch of el mirador, from pyramids to pathways, 285 00:12:25,210 --> 00:12:26,640 was once stripped of trees 286 00:12:26,640 --> 00:12:29,680 and covered in smooth lime plaster, 287 00:12:29,680 --> 00:12:32,750 an urban metropolis and the largest ancient city 288 00:12:32,750 --> 00:12:35,220 in the western hemisphere. 289 00:12:35,220 --> 00:12:37,150 Now, why do you think they wanted it all paved, 290 00:12:37,150 --> 00:12:39,820 because it was more functional or because it was prettier? 291 00:12:39,820 --> 00:12:41,920 It was pretty, and it was functional, 292 00:12:41,920 --> 00:12:45,230 but it allowed them to capture water. 293 00:12:45,230 --> 00:12:47,330 Gates: All cities need water to survive. 294 00:12:47,330 --> 00:12:50,560 But el mirador was built far from any river or lake. 295 00:12:50,570 --> 00:12:52,200 The pre-classic maya built here 296 00:12:52,200 --> 00:12:54,900 because the city is surrounded by swamps. 297 00:12:54,900 --> 00:12:57,740 Beneath the surface, organic matter was sealed away 298 00:12:57,740 --> 00:13:00,240 from oxygen for thousands of years, 299 00:13:00,240 --> 00:13:04,810 creating a nutrient-rich mud that grew crops in abundance. 300 00:13:04,810 --> 00:13:08,850 This super mud was the key to their agricultural success. 301 00:13:08,850 --> 00:13:12,650 And they paved every inch of the city with a drain gutter, 302 00:13:12,650 --> 00:13:16,920 to support them and their crops. 303 00:13:16,930 --> 00:13:19,590 Richard gives me a tour el mirador's center, 304 00:13:19,590 --> 00:13:23,200 where the pre-classic maya built reservoirs to collect water, 305 00:13:23,200 --> 00:13:25,430 as well as vast temples like this one 306 00:13:25,430 --> 00:13:30,270 dedicated to the snake king known as great fiery jaguar paw. 307 00:13:30,270 --> 00:13:32,910 This was all covered with trees and dirt and... 308 00:13:32,910 --> 00:13:35,440 -You dug all this out? -...All that had to be dug out. 309 00:13:35,440 --> 00:13:36,740 Gates: Richard also tunneled under 310 00:13:36,750 --> 00:13:38,680 the temple in several areas 311 00:13:38,680 --> 00:13:41,180 but found no evidence of tombs. 312 00:13:41,180 --> 00:13:43,320 -Anything in there? -There's nothing in there. 313 00:13:43,320 --> 00:13:45,350 Gates: To take the search to the next level, 314 00:13:45,350 --> 00:13:47,720 he's brought in father and son scanning experts 315 00:13:47,720 --> 00:13:49,590 robert and bob leonard, 316 00:13:49,590 --> 00:13:52,260 who deploy powerful ground-penetrating radar, 317 00:13:52,260 --> 00:13:55,530 or gpr, to scan for any hidden cavities 318 00:13:55,530 --> 00:14:00,300 inside the massive structure. 319 00:14:00,300 --> 00:14:02,470 Oh, man. What is that? 320 00:14:02,470 --> 00:14:04,440 You got something? 321 00:14:04,440 --> 00:14:05,940 Richard, have you ever dug here before? 322 00:14:05,940 --> 00:14:07,710 -No. -Come on up. 323 00:14:07,710 --> 00:14:08,740 -Uh-oh. -You got something? 324 00:14:08,740 --> 00:14:10,340 -Yes, I do. 325 00:14:10,350 --> 00:14:12,010 Gates: But after peeking inside the temple 326 00:14:12,010 --> 00:14:13,610 with a borescope camera, 327 00:14:13,620 --> 00:14:16,850 the verdict is -- no snake king. 328 00:14:16,850 --> 00:14:18,480 Snake kings have foiled us again. 329 00:14:18,490 --> 00:14:19,950 That's right. 330 00:14:19,960 --> 00:14:23,190 Gates: Undaunted, richard and I hop back into the moto-mule 331 00:14:23,190 --> 00:14:27,460 for plan b on the search for the snake kings. 332 00:14:27,460 --> 00:14:29,930 Okay, so where are headed to specifically? 333 00:14:29,930 --> 00:14:32,200 This causeway takes us in the center part of the city, 334 00:14:32,200 --> 00:14:34,000 right to the pyramid of danta. 335 00:14:34,000 --> 00:14:35,170 Danta. 336 00:14:35,170 --> 00:14:37,940 It is the largest pyramid in mesoamerica, 337 00:14:37,940 --> 00:14:41,410 and most likely the largest ancient structure 338 00:14:41,410 --> 00:14:45,710 in the entire world. 339 00:14:45,710 --> 00:14:47,610 Gates: They say all roads lead to rome, 340 00:14:47,620 --> 00:14:52,350 but at el mirador, all roads lead to la danta. 341 00:14:52,350 --> 00:14:54,590 Richard has brought in an american research team 342 00:14:54,590 --> 00:14:57,160 to help build a road map of the lost city, 343 00:14:57,160 --> 00:15:00,230 to hunt for the tombs of the snake kings. 344 00:15:00,230 --> 00:15:03,200 To get to them, we'll have to climb the pyramid. 345 00:15:03,200 --> 00:15:04,560 Welcome to la danta. 346 00:15:04,570 --> 00:15:07,000 ♪ 347 00:15:07,000 --> 00:15:10,140 josh, this is the very base 348 00:15:10,140 --> 00:15:14,810 of the large pyramid of danta. 349 00:15:14,810 --> 00:15:17,580 -And this is the stairway. -How wide is this thing? 350 00:15:17,580 --> 00:15:19,450 330 yards. 351 00:15:19,450 --> 00:15:21,350 -This is three football fields. -That's right. 352 00:15:21,350 --> 00:15:23,320 Josh, snake! 353 00:15:23,320 --> 00:15:25,350 -Snake right by you. -What? 354 00:15:25,350 --> 00:15:28,550 Snake? Up, up, up, snake! 355 00:15:28,560 --> 00:15:30,590 Hansen: This is a deadly fer-de-lance, 356 00:15:30,590 --> 00:15:34,830 the most deadly snake in all of central america. 357 00:15:34,830 --> 00:15:36,160 These snakes are very aggressive. 358 00:15:36,160 --> 00:15:37,760 They're very ill-tempered. 359 00:15:37,770 --> 00:15:39,630 Gates: The fer-de-lance is one of the most venomous 360 00:15:39,630 --> 00:15:40,870 snakes on the planet, 361 00:15:40,870 --> 00:15:42,800 which is reason enough to avoid it. 362 00:15:42,800 --> 00:15:44,070 But out here in the jungle, 363 00:15:44,070 --> 00:15:46,470 hours from even basic medical attention, 364 00:15:46,470 --> 00:15:49,640 a fer-de-lance bite can be a virtual death sentence. 365 00:15:49,640 --> 00:15:52,050 You do not want to get bit by that guy. 366 00:15:52,050 --> 00:15:55,320 We give the snake the respect and fear it deserves 367 00:15:55,320 --> 00:15:58,620 until it slithers off into the jungle. 368 00:15:58,620 --> 00:16:01,790 Okay, well, richard, I'd like to thank you for this informative 369 00:16:01,790 --> 00:16:04,860 and terrifying introduction to this pyramid. 370 00:16:04,860 --> 00:16:07,190 Let's get out of here. 371 00:16:07,200 --> 00:16:09,130 All right, let's go. 372 00:16:09,130 --> 00:16:10,530 Gates: I tighten up my snake guards, 373 00:16:10,530 --> 00:16:13,770 and we begin the climb up to the second level of la danta, 374 00:16:13,770 --> 00:16:15,070 where a special research team 375 00:16:15,070 --> 00:16:18,000 is waiting to help us uncover more of el mirador 376 00:16:18,010 --> 00:16:22,140 and perhaps find the elusive tombs of the snake kings. 377 00:16:22,140 --> 00:16:25,850 Josh, this is daniel and jared. 378 00:16:25,850 --> 00:16:27,110 Daniel, jared. Hey, nice to meet you. 379 00:16:27,120 --> 00:16:28,410 ...From lidar usa. 380 00:16:28,420 --> 00:16:30,150 Gates: Dan and his company are pioneers 381 00:16:30,150 --> 00:16:32,290 in a technology called lidar. 382 00:16:32,290 --> 00:16:35,320 Lidar fires millions of laser pulses from the air 383 00:16:35,320 --> 00:16:37,960 that virtually peel back layers of foliage 384 00:16:37,960 --> 00:16:41,190 to show evidence of human construction underneath. 385 00:16:41,200 --> 00:16:44,230 El mirador is only now being mapped with this technology, 386 00:16:44,230 --> 00:16:45,730 so richard is hoping the lidar 387 00:16:45,730 --> 00:16:48,470 will reveal the elaborate network of causeways, 388 00:16:48,470 --> 00:16:51,000 which could lead us to new sections of the city 389 00:16:51,010 --> 00:16:53,310 and perhaps hidden tombs. 390 00:16:53,310 --> 00:16:54,810 So, where do we launch it from? 391 00:16:54,810 --> 00:16:56,810 From the top. 392 00:16:56,810 --> 00:16:58,580 This is gonna be a particularly sweaty day 393 00:16:58,580 --> 00:17:00,310 here on "expedition unknown." 394 00:17:00,320 --> 00:17:04,620 -okay. Let's do it. Come on. -All right. 395 00:17:04,620 --> 00:17:06,390 Wait a minute! 396 00:17:06,390 --> 00:17:09,020 The two lidar guys are carrying a bottle of water 397 00:17:09,020 --> 00:17:13,930 and a playstation remote. -[ laughs ] 398 00:17:13,930 --> 00:17:16,600 gates: We make our way up the pyramid. 399 00:17:16,600 --> 00:17:18,770 This is the final push. 400 00:17:18,770 --> 00:17:20,970 We're now twice the height of the statue of liberty 401 00:17:20,970 --> 00:17:23,300 off her pedestal, on top of a pyramid 402 00:17:23,300 --> 00:17:24,300 that's about as wide 403 00:17:24,310 --> 00:17:28,140 as the empire state building is high. 404 00:17:28,140 --> 00:17:29,710 Feel the burn. 405 00:17:29,710 --> 00:17:37,850 ♪ 406 00:17:37,850 --> 00:17:40,150 almost there, guys. 407 00:17:40,150 --> 00:17:45,120 ♪ 408 00:17:45,130 --> 00:17:50,800 [ panting ] whoo, yes! Ha. 409 00:17:50,800 --> 00:17:53,470 Oh, boy. 410 00:17:53,470 --> 00:17:55,640 Oh, oh, oh, man. 411 00:17:55,640 --> 00:17:59,310 Look at that. 412 00:17:59,310 --> 00:18:05,110 This is the ancient maya pyramid of la danta, 413 00:18:05,110 --> 00:18:08,450 by volume, perhaps the largest on planet earth. 414 00:18:08,450 --> 00:18:11,820 We're a tiny island of humanity in a sea of green. 415 00:18:11,820 --> 00:18:14,450 ♪ 416 00:18:14,460 --> 00:18:16,590 gates: But this isn't the only temple here. 417 00:18:16,590 --> 00:18:18,890 In the distance, we see other peaks jutting out 418 00:18:18,890 --> 00:18:22,030 from the canopy, far from the center of el mirador. 419 00:18:22,030 --> 00:18:24,000 And here, pyramid, pyramid... 420 00:18:24,000 --> 00:18:25,200 Pyramid, pyramid, pyramid. 421 00:18:25,200 --> 00:18:26,500 ...Pyramid, pyramid. 422 00:18:26,500 --> 00:18:28,730 All of these are ancient cities that are linked together 423 00:18:28,740 --> 00:18:30,640 by causeways from this center. 424 00:18:30,640 --> 00:18:33,540 -It's a country. -It's a whole empire. 425 00:18:33,540 --> 00:18:34,970 Gates: Over the last four decades, 426 00:18:34,980 --> 00:18:38,380 richard and his team haven't just been here in el mirador. 427 00:18:38,380 --> 00:18:42,250 They've discovered 51 different maya cities in the basin, 428 00:18:42,250 --> 00:18:45,790 revealing an extensive civilization connected by roads. 429 00:18:45,790 --> 00:18:47,350 But because of the dense jungle, 430 00:18:47,360 --> 00:18:50,760 it has never been fully mapped until now. 431 00:18:50,760 --> 00:18:58,160 ♪ 432 00:18:58,170 --> 00:19:00,170 the lidar drone is quickly assembled. 433 00:19:00,170 --> 00:19:02,240 The plan is to fly it over the peaks 434 00:19:02,240 --> 00:19:03,340 to uncover the causeways 435 00:19:03,340 --> 00:19:05,810 and buildings beneath the foliage. 436 00:19:05,810 --> 00:19:07,610 -This thing cut your arm off? -Yeah. 437 00:19:07,610 --> 00:19:09,310 Okay. We're stepping back. 438 00:19:09,310 --> 00:19:14,880 [ object whirring ] 439 00:19:14,880 --> 00:19:19,550 [ thunder rumbles ] 440 00:19:19,550 --> 00:19:21,520 the skies are looking threatening. 441 00:19:21,520 --> 00:19:23,920 We've got huge storm clouds coming in, 442 00:19:23,930 --> 00:19:28,330 just eating up the clear skies over here. 443 00:19:28,330 --> 00:19:31,130 The wind is definitely changing a little bit and cooling. 444 00:19:31,130 --> 00:19:34,370 [ thunder rumbles ] 445 00:19:39,010 --> 00:19:40,510 daniel wisely aborts the flight 446 00:19:40,510 --> 00:19:42,810 before we get a chance to make the scan. 447 00:19:42,810 --> 00:19:45,510 Let's get that moving real quick, real quick, real quick. 448 00:19:45,510 --> 00:19:48,010 The storm is just moving right on top of us. 449 00:19:48,020 --> 00:19:49,550 We're gonna try to get out of here 450 00:19:49,550 --> 00:19:51,580 and get back to the main camp before we get caught in it. 451 00:19:51,590 --> 00:19:55,990 ♪ 452 00:19:55,990 --> 00:19:58,220 guys, it's gonna rain. Let's get moving. 453 00:19:58,230 --> 00:20:01,890 ♪ 454 00:20:01,900 --> 00:20:03,330 [ thunder crashes ] 455 00:20:03,330 --> 00:20:07,600 it's coming in! [bleep]. 456 00:20:14,480 --> 00:20:18,010 ♪ 457 00:20:18,010 --> 00:20:19,650 gates: The jungles of guatemala are home 458 00:20:19,650 --> 00:20:23,220 to the most extraordinary ruined city I've ever seen, 459 00:20:23,220 --> 00:20:25,750 the maya metropolis of el mirador, 460 00:20:25,750 --> 00:20:29,590 once ruled over by the mysterious snake kings. 461 00:20:29,590 --> 00:20:31,990 Coming up, I'll be returning to the lost city 462 00:20:31,990 --> 00:20:36,960 for a brand-new investigation and a remarkable new discovery. 463 00:20:36,970 --> 00:20:38,660 But during our first expedition, 464 00:20:38,670 --> 00:20:42,240 I find myself atop the massive pyramid of la danta, 465 00:20:42,240 --> 00:20:44,270 where a potentially dangerous storm 466 00:20:44,270 --> 00:20:50,110 has caused us to abort a lidar scan of the site. 467 00:20:50,110 --> 00:20:52,180 Guys, it's gonna rain. Let's get moving. 468 00:20:52,180 --> 00:20:54,210 Lighting is coming down through the jungle. 469 00:20:54,220 --> 00:20:56,950 Now we're scrambling to safety. 470 00:20:56,950 --> 00:21:00,620 It's coming in! [bleep]. 471 00:21:00,620 --> 00:21:03,990 Get everything we can dry. It's coming. 472 00:21:03,990 --> 00:21:05,420 -Come on, come on. Let's go. -Let's go. 473 00:21:05,430 --> 00:21:08,190 We're trying to get everything back before it really, 474 00:21:08,200 --> 00:21:12,570 really comes down. 475 00:21:12,570 --> 00:21:16,700 Let's get in the tech room, make sure the equipment's okay. 476 00:21:16,700 --> 00:21:21,210 Man, we're barely gonna make it here. 477 00:21:21,210 --> 00:21:24,380 Good, we're dry. 478 00:21:24,380 --> 00:21:28,380 The rain continues all night long. 479 00:21:28,380 --> 00:21:32,820 ♪ 480 00:21:32,820 --> 00:21:37,560 the next morning, though, the sky has cleared. 481 00:21:37,560 --> 00:21:40,590 And the helicopters have returned with fresh supplies. 482 00:21:40,600 --> 00:21:43,130 We decide to take advantage of the sturdier ride 483 00:21:43,130 --> 00:21:46,430 and mount the lidar scanner on one of the choppers. 484 00:21:46,430 --> 00:21:49,040 Okay, here we go. 485 00:21:49,040 --> 00:21:53,440 ♪ 486 00:22:02,780 --> 00:22:04,950 we fly over the basin in a grid pattern 487 00:22:04,950 --> 00:22:08,220 until our target area is completely covered by our scan. 488 00:22:18,230 --> 00:22:19,470 For the lidar analysis, 489 00:22:19,470 --> 00:22:21,970 richard suggests we head to his bungalow, 490 00:22:21,970 --> 00:22:24,770 where his colleagues wait to see what we found. 491 00:22:24,770 --> 00:22:26,210 I want to introduce carlos morales, 492 00:22:26,210 --> 00:22:28,470 one of our top archaeologists and one of the men 493 00:22:28,480 --> 00:22:30,540 that handles all of our lidar processing. 494 00:22:30,550 --> 00:22:32,550 I'm hopeful we'll have something cool to show you. 495 00:22:32,550 --> 00:22:33,910 Yeah, let's take a look. 496 00:22:33,920 --> 00:22:36,380 How many points of data did we collect on that flight? 497 00:22:36,380 --> 00:22:37,980 Whew, billions. 498 00:22:37,990 --> 00:22:39,450 -With a b? -Yes. 499 00:22:39,450 --> 00:22:41,620 Right now it's colorized by elevation, 500 00:22:41,620 --> 00:22:43,560 so the higher it is, the redder it is. 501 00:22:43,560 --> 00:22:46,030 The first thing you do is strip away all the trees, 502 00:22:46,030 --> 00:22:48,890 so you can see the ground. 503 00:22:48,900 --> 00:22:51,030 Gates: The lidar software does its work. 504 00:22:51,030 --> 00:22:55,900 The trees slowly disappear, and what's left is miraculous. 505 00:22:55,900 --> 00:22:57,370 -Oh, my god. -Wow. 506 00:22:57,370 --> 00:23:00,010 -Massive platform. -Look at this! 507 00:23:00,010 --> 00:23:01,740 There's a big site down here. 508 00:23:01,740 --> 00:23:04,440 Did we just find a lost city, like, a legit lost city? 509 00:23:08,920 --> 00:23:11,020 Just two minutes ago, nobody in the world 510 00:23:11,020 --> 00:23:13,320 had a clue this site was even here. 511 00:23:13,320 --> 00:23:16,060 That's crazy. 512 00:23:16,060 --> 00:23:17,560 Richard, you feel like taking a walk? 513 00:23:17,560 --> 00:23:19,290 [ laughs ] we could do it! 514 00:23:19,290 --> 00:23:22,530 -All right, let's do it. -Come on. 515 00:23:22,530 --> 00:23:25,700 Gates: We load up a mule team with food, water, and equipment 516 00:23:25,700 --> 00:23:31,540 and begin our journey to a newly found part of this lost city. 517 00:23:31,540 --> 00:23:34,070 We hope to find evidence of the snake kings 518 00:23:34,080 --> 00:23:37,480 while avoiding actual snakes, not to mention jaguars 519 00:23:37,480 --> 00:23:40,110 and other threats along the way. 520 00:23:40,110 --> 00:23:43,250 -We need to go through this way. -Through that? 521 00:23:43,250 --> 00:23:44,850 -Yeah. -Well, let's get into it. 522 00:23:44,850 --> 00:23:46,490 Come on. 523 00:23:46,490 --> 00:23:51,590 ♪ 524 00:23:51,590 --> 00:23:56,760 ♪ 525 00:23:56,760 --> 00:24:02,230 ♪ 526 00:24:02,240 --> 00:24:05,970 it just feels like the forest is creating a defensive wall 527 00:24:05,970 --> 00:24:08,070 against anyone coming through it. 528 00:24:08,080 --> 00:24:13,510 ♪ 529 00:24:13,510 --> 00:24:18,580 ♪ 530 00:24:18,590 --> 00:24:20,790 finally, after hours of bushwhacking, 531 00:24:20,790 --> 00:24:23,720 we're closing in on our gps target. 532 00:24:23,720 --> 00:24:26,160 We got a rise here, richard. Look, that's going up. 533 00:24:26,160 --> 00:24:27,790 There's something up here. 534 00:24:27,800 --> 00:24:30,030 Gates: The topography changes abruptly, 535 00:24:30,030 --> 00:24:31,460 and looming in front of us, 536 00:24:31,470 --> 00:24:34,070 a hill that may not actually be a hill 537 00:24:34,070 --> 00:24:38,240 at all as we approach the towering centerpiece. 538 00:24:38,240 --> 00:24:40,140 -Oh, look at that. -Look at this! 539 00:24:40,140 --> 00:24:44,340 We've got a pyramid here, josh. 540 00:24:44,350 --> 00:24:47,510 A-ha, that's our big boy, right there. 541 00:24:47,520 --> 00:24:49,620 The center structure of this, whatever it is. 542 00:24:49,620 --> 00:24:53,350 Oh, my word. 543 00:24:53,350 --> 00:24:55,590 Even after thousands of years of growth, 544 00:24:55,590 --> 00:24:57,020 you can still see that shape clear as day. 545 00:24:57,020 --> 00:24:59,020 -You can still see it. -Until this very moment, 546 00:24:59,030 --> 00:25:01,790 nobody in the modern world has ever seen this... 547 00:25:01,800 --> 00:25:03,860 -That's right. -...Until right now. 548 00:25:03,870 --> 00:25:05,300 You are seeing that for the first time. 549 00:25:05,300 --> 00:25:06,330 -That's right. -Let's go look at it. 550 00:25:06,330 --> 00:25:07,600 Let's go take a look. 551 00:25:07,600 --> 00:25:12,670 ♪ 552 00:25:12,670 --> 00:25:18,480 ♪ 553 00:25:18,480 --> 00:25:23,120 look at this, top of the world. 554 00:25:23,120 --> 00:25:24,320 And so, what do you think? 555 00:25:24,320 --> 00:25:25,990 Could there be a snake king under our feet? 556 00:25:25,990 --> 00:25:28,890 Judging by the size and scale and the nature of this, 557 00:25:28,890 --> 00:25:30,790 that's entirely possible. 558 00:25:30,790 --> 00:25:32,660 Gates: Unfortunately, we barely have time 559 00:25:32,660 --> 00:25:36,030 to savor the discovery of this once-lost complex 560 00:25:36,030 --> 00:25:38,560 when the pressure suddenly drops. 561 00:25:38,570 --> 00:25:40,170 [ thunder crashes ] 562 00:25:40,170 --> 00:25:42,030 -oh, we got thunder. -Yeah. 563 00:25:42,040 --> 00:25:44,270 Gates: A massive storm begins to move in. 564 00:25:44,270 --> 00:25:46,610 And in a frustrating turn of events, 565 00:25:46,610 --> 00:25:49,310 we're forced to not only abandon our find... 566 00:25:49,310 --> 00:25:50,740 You get all the personal gear. 567 00:25:50,750 --> 00:25:51,780 Get the tents broken down. We're getting out of here. 568 00:25:51,780 --> 00:25:54,250 ...But to flee el mirador entirely. 569 00:25:59,450 --> 00:26:03,590 We're in. 570 00:26:03,590 --> 00:26:07,060 The crew and I fly barely ahead of dangerous winds. 571 00:26:07,060 --> 00:26:11,330 ♪ 572 00:26:12,870 --> 00:26:14,970 ♪ 573 00:26:14,970 --> 00:26:20,440 [ beeping ] 574 00:26:20,440 --> 00:26:25,840 we make it out, but I have to know what we left behind. 575 00:26:25,850 --> 00:26:29,880 And so, three months later, I return to el mirador. 576 00:26:29,880 --> 00:26:33,750 ♪ 577 00:26:33,750 --> 00:26:36,320 not only did the dig site survive the storm, 578 00:26:36,320 --> 00:26:38,060 but richard's done some excavating 579 00:26:38,060 --> 00:26:40,190 at our newly found pyramid. 580 00:26:40,190 --> 00:26:41,290 Look at it! 581 00:26:41,300 --> 00:26:42,960 There's actually a building under here. 582 00:26:42,960 --> 00:26:44,700 Oh, there is. There's a building here. 583 00:26:44,700 --> 00:26:45,970 Incredible. 584 00:26:45,970 --> 00:26:47,270 But a building of this size requires leadership. 585 00:26:47,270 --> 00:26:48,400 Yeah. 586 00:26:48,400 --> 00:26:50,740 And they would do that by placing monuments 587 00:26:50,740 --> 00:26:53,140 to commemorate their legacy out here. 588 00:26:53,140 --> 00:26:55,370 And it looks like we found something here, josh. 589 00:26:55,380 --> 00:26:58,280 Carlos just found this stone. 590 00:26:58,280 --> 00:26:59,450 You think that could be a monument? 591 00:26:59,450 --> 00:27:00,650 We don't know. 592 00:27:00,650 --> 00:27:01,910 We've got to clean it off and see here, 593 00:27:01,920 --> 00:27:03,950 but we're coming down on the floor here. 594 00:27:03,950 --> 00:27:06,020 -You want to dig it out? -Let's see what's here. 595 00:27:06,020 --> 00:27:09,560 -Let's do it. Come on. -[ laughs ] 596 00:27:09,560 --> 00:27:11,260 gates: Maya monuments, called stela, 597 00:27:11,260 --> 00:27:13,590 are hugely important to archaeologists, 598 00:27:13,590 --> 00:27:16,800 chronicling important events, people, and places. 599 00:27:16,800 --> 00:27:18,860 It's like the maya left us a history book 600 00:27:18,870 --> 00:27:23,070 and highlighted the key chapters. 601 00:27:23,070 --> 00:27:24,870 Okay. Well, here it is on the floor. 602 00:27:24,870 --> 00:27:27,470 Now we can see it, but no signs of inscription on it. 603 00:27:27,480 --> 00:27:28,610 No, looked everywhere. 604 00:27:28,610 --> 00:27:30,180 There might be something underneath it, 605 00:27:30,180 --> 00:27:32,040 but we have to lift up to look. 606 00:27:32,050 --> 00:27:34,880 Muchachos, por fa. 607 00:27:34,880 --> 00:27:36,120 Okay. Here we go. Ready? 608 00:27:36,120 --> 00:27:38,350 -[ speaking spanish ] -here we go. 609 00:27:38,350 --> 00:27:39,990 Up, up, up, up! 610 00:27:39,990 --> 00:27:42,960 -[ speaking spanish ] -up, up, up, up, up! 611 00:27:42,960 --> 00:27:44,620 ♪ 612 00:27:44,630 --> 00:27:48,190 -a-ha, look! -Look at that. 613 00:27:55,170 --> 00:27:58,270 ♪ 614 00:27:58,270 --> 00:28:01,610 gates: After being chased out by a storm, 615 00:28:01,610 --> 00:28:05,240 I return to el mirador with dr. Richard hansen and his team, 616 00:28:05,250 --> 00:28:07,950 searching the vast pre-classic maya city 617 00:28:07,950 --> 00:28:10,820 for the tombs of the snake kings. 618 00:28:10,820 --> 00:28:14,490 And we have just found one. 619 00:28:14,490 --> 00:28:16,220 Gates: Up, up, up, up, up! 620 00:28:16,220 --> 00:28:20,360 -[ speaking spanish ] -up, up, up, up! 621 00:28:20,360 --> 00:28:21,960 Up, up, up, up, up, up! 622 00:28:21,960 --> 00:28:25,100 -[ speaking spanish ] -a-ha, look! 623 00:28:25,100 --> 00:28:26,170 Look at that. 624 00:28:26,170 --> 00:28:28,270 It's carved. It's carved! 625 00:28:28,270 --> 00:28:29,900 Oh, my gosh. 626 00:28:29,900 --> 00:28:33,970 Look at it! 627 00:28:33,970 --> 00:28:36,640 -Look at that. Is that a leg? -That's a leg. 628 00:28:36,640 --> 00:28:39,410 Here's the thigh, comes up here, so we know he's facing this way. 629 00:28:39,410 --> 00:28:40,610 Here is a glyph. 630 00:28:40,610 --> 00:28:42,280 -That's a mayan glyph? -Yeah. 631 00:28:42,280 --> 00:28:45,320 It's a portrait of a king. 632 00:28:45,320 --> 00:28:48,020 Gates: This figure on the monument is clearly a king, 633 00:28:48,020 --> 00:28:50,690 delineated by his ceremonial belt. 634 00:28:50,690 --> 00:28:53,590 So we could literally be looking at a snake king here. 635 00:28:53,590 --> 00:28:55,360 Yeah. 636 00:28:55,360 --> 00:28:58,900 Gates: This stela is a monumental find, literally. 637 00:28:58,900 --> 00:29:00,370 It is the only one of its kind 638 00:29:00,370 --> 00:29:04,440 ever found in el mirador outside of the city center. 639 00:29:04,440 --> 00:29:07,810 Why is it so important to understand this civilization? 640 00:29:07,810 --> 00:29:09,210 Through the lens of archaeology, 641 00:29:09,210 --> 00:29:13,380 we can see the whole story from the beginning to the end. 642 00:29:13,380 --> 00:29:15,210 -Right. -We can see what they did right, 643 00:29:15,220 --> 00:29:17,150 and we can see what they did wrong. 644 00:29:17,150 --> 00:29:18,550 At one time, this was the largest 645 00:29:18,550 --> 00:29:19,950 ancient city in the world. 646 00:29:19,950 --> 00:29:22,220 And it all vanished. 647 00:29:22,220 --> 00:29:23,690 Yeah, that's right. 648 00:29:23,690 --> 00:29:26,020 It's a problem that we call the conspicuous consumption 649 00:29:26,030 --> 00:29:27,530 of resources. 650 00:29:27,530 --> 00:29:29,060 Gates: The maya's appetite for the lime plaster 651 00:29:29,060 --> 00:29:30,800 that covered el mirador 652 00:29:30,800 --> 00:29:33,130 was the engine of their own demise. 653 00:29:33,130 --> 00:29:35,570 With the basin's trees harvested for fuel, 654 00:29:35,570 --> 00:29:39,140 a layer of clay in the ground once held back by the tree roots 655 00:29:39,140 --> 00:29:42,940 seeped into their growing fields and poisoned their agriculture. 656 00:29:42,940 --> 00:29:44,680 The bigger el mirador grew, 657 00:29:44,680 --> 00:29:48,010 the more accelerated the process of their end became. 658 00:29:48,020 --> 00:29:49,980 It's a lesson for all of us, you know? 659 00:29:49,980 --> 00:29:51,520 We have to pay attention to the history 660 00:29:51,520 --> 00:29:55,520 to avoid repeating those errors. 661 00:29:55,520 --> 00:29:57,720 Gates: Once again, I depart el mirador 662 00:29:57,730 --> 00:29:59,590 thrilled to have played a small role 663 00:29:59,590 --> 00:30:03,030 in this archaeological breakthrough. 664 00:30:03,030 --> 00:30:06,930 I ask richard to contact me if he finds anything new. 665 00:30:06,930 --> 00:30:15,040 ♪ 666 00:30:15,040 --> 00:30:17,910 well, it is 3:30 in the morning, 667 00:30:17,910 --> 00:30:21,180 and I am at the airport because we got an email 668 00:30:21,180 --> 00:30:24,220 from dr. Richard hansen. 669 00:30:24,220 --> 00:30:27,020 And that means I'm going to guatemala. 670 00:30:27,020 --> 00:30:31,320 ♪ 671 00:30:31,330 --> 00:30:32,960 traveling to el mirador hasn't gotten 672 00:30:32,960 --> 00:30:34,690 any easier in the past year, 673 00:30:34,700 --> 00:30:36,600 and I'm grateful when I reach the helicopter 674 00:30:36,600 --> 00:30:39,260 with my old friend gabriel at the stick. 675 00:30:39,270 --> 00:30:40,330 -Hola. -Hola. 676 00:30:40,330 --> 00:30:41,400 -Como estas? -Muy bien. 677 00:30:41,400 --> 00:30:42,670 Let's go. Vamos. 678 00:30:42,670 --> 00:30:44,340 ♪ 679 00:30:44,340 --> 00:30:46,770 gates: [ filtered voice ] okay, here we go. 680 00:30:46,770 --> 00:30:52,080 ♪ 681 00:31:07,030 --> 00:31:10,230 after all this, it's the sight of la danta pyramid 682 00:31:10,230 --> 00:31:11,830 that tells me I'm back. 683 00:31:19,570 --> 00:31:23,040 As we touch down, I'm greeted by a familiar face. 684 00:31:23,040 --> 00:31:27,680 There he is, the man himself. How you doing, doc? 685 00:31:27,680 --> 00:31:30,620 And if dr. Hansen is rushing up to a running helicopter, 686 00:31:30,620 --> 00:31:33,090 he must be excited about something. 687 00:31:33,090 --> 00:31:34,950 -How are you, doctor? -How are you? 688 00:31:34,960 --> 00:31:36,590 -Good to see you. -Good to see you. 689 00:31:36,590 --> 00:31:38,290 -You got something to show me? -Yeah, I think we do. 690 00:31:38,290 --> 00:31:40,130 -You do? -I think we do. 691 00:31:40,130 --> 00:31:47,900 ♪ 692 00:31:47,900 --> 00:31:51,070 we take the hike into base camp. 693 00:31:51,070 --> 00:31:55,740 And inside the mess hall is another pleasant surprise. 694 00:31:55,740 --> 00:31:56,840 [ laughs ] the bobs. 695 00:31:56,840 --> 00:31:58,210 What's going on? How you doing, sir? 696 00:31:58,210 --> 00:31:59,980 You finally made it. 697 00:31:59,980 --> 00:32:02,610 Turns out, the father-son gpr team of bob 698 00:32:02,620 --> 00:32:05,080 and bob leonard are back, as well. 699 00:32:05,090 --> 00:32:08,420 Richard has brought them in to help peer inside the pyramids 700 00:32:08,420 --> 00:32:11,790 for any open chambers that could be snake king tombs. 701 00:32:11,790 --> 00:32:13,290 What did you find? 702 00:32:13,290 --> 00:32:17,300 We're seeing on several of these structures a pattern emerge. 703 00:32:17,300 --> 00:32:18,800 Well, that's intriguing. 704 00:32:18,800 --> 00:32:21,130 The same anomaly is in the same location 705 00:32:21,140 --> 00:32:22,970 on several of these structures. 706 00:32:22,970 --> 00:32:26,410 And that pattern makes us think it could be something important 707 00:32:26,410 --> 00:32:28,340 for him to investigate scientifically. 708 00:32:28,340 --> 00:32:29,680 So, that's exciting. 709 00:32:29,680 --> 00:32:31,610 Well, one of the things that this lets us see, josh, 710 00:32:31,610 --> 00:32:32,840 is I'm trying to understand 711 00:32:32,850 --> 00:32:34,380 the construction of these buildings, 712 00:32:34,380 --> 00:32:37,580 and some of this information's showing us those patterns. 713 00:32:37,580 --> 00:32:39,450 When it comes to these snake kings, 714 00:32:39,450 --> 00:32:42,750 their burial pattern, as we know, has not been found. 715 00:32:42,760 --> 00:32:45,920 Well, we have 19 recorded kings on dynasty pots, 716 00:32:45,930 --> 00:32:48,560 and we think they're here. 717 00:32:48,560 --> 00:32:50,930 Gates: This is a potential bombshell. 718 00:32:50,930 --> 00:32:54,430 It means that if they have discovered a snake king tomb, 719 00:32:54,430 --> 00:32:57,640 they may also have the key to finding all of them. 720 00:32:57,640 --> 00:32:59,910 And so, how many of these potential voids 721 00:32:59,910 --> 00:33:01,510 or cavities did you find? 722 00:33:01,510 --> 00:33:03,980 So, we think we've found four. 723 00:33:03,980 --> 00:33:06,110 And then there's one in particular that, you know, 724 00:33:06,110 --> 00:33:07,750 we think is the most interesting. 725 00:33:07,750 --> 00:33:10,980 Okay, so, the million-dollar question is, where is it? 726 00:33:10,990 --> 00:33:13,750 I think it'd be best if we show you. 727 00:33:13,750 --> 00:33:14,890 Gates: I've traveled on richard's 728 00:33:14,890 --> 00:33:16,520 so-called moto-mules before 729 00:33:16,520 --> 00:33:18,960 and have the sciatica to prove it... 730 00:33:18,960 --> 00:33:20,290 Oh, richard, you've made some upgrades 731 00:33:20,290 --> 00:33:21,790 since I was here. 732 00:33:21,800 --> 00:33:24,200 ...Which is why I'm a little surprised to see this. 733 00:33:24,200 --> 00:33:26,260 Josh, we now call it the moto-limousine. 734 00:33:26,270 --> 00:33:28,900 The moto-limo. 735 00:33:28,900 --> 00:33:30,670 [ engine starts ] 736 00:33:30,670 --> 00:33:32,640 okay, here we go. 737 00:33:32,640 --> 00:33:34,810 The brand-new mule speeds into the jungle. 738 00:33:34,810 --> 00:33:36,040 Whoo-hoo! 739 00:33:36,040 --> 00:33:38,440 And my anticipation builds. 740 00:33:38,450 --> 00:33:41,250 Give up the goods. Where is this anomaly, richard? 741 00:33:41,250 --> 00:33:43,350 Well, we thought it was gonna be 742 00:33:43,350 --> 00:33:44,720 on the souther side of the plaza. 743 00:33:44,720 --> 00:33:46,690 -Right. -We looked there. 744 00:33:46,690 --> 00:33:50,020 In reality, it's just in front of you. 745 00:33:50,020 --> 00:33:51,990 Gates: Here on the western end of the city 746 00:33:51,990 --> 00:33:55,760 stands the massive pyramid complex known as el tigre, 747 00:33:55,760 --> 00:33:59,560 second in size only to mighty la danta. 748 00:33:59,570 --> 00:34:01,500 This is clearly one of the most important 749 00:34:01,500 --> 00:34:06,340 ceremonial structures in the city. 750 00:34:06,340 --> 00:34:09,240 And now the bobs have gathered promising data 751 00:34:09,240 --> 00:34:14,550 that this pyramid may have a long-forgotten chamber inside. 752 00:34:14,550 --> 00:34:17,650 If it's a burial, it could be a snake king. 753 00:34:17,650 --> 00:34:19,620 Gates: We grab our gear for the long hike 754 00:34:19,620 --> 00:34:24,420 up to the pyramid platform. 755 00:34:24,430 --> 00:34:28,060 All right. 756 00:34:28,060 --> 00:34:29,330 Richard, remind me again, 757 00:34:29,330 --> 00:34:30,560 how did I end up carrying the generator? 758 00:34:30,560 --> 00:34:32,030 [ laughs ] 759 00:34:32,030 --> 00:34:33,230 gates: After doing about a month's 760 00:34:33,230 --> 00:34:36,270 worth of the stair master in one go, we arrive. 761 00:34:36,270 --> 00:34:39,040 ♪ 762 00:34:39,040 --> 00:34:42,840 welcome to the upper platform of tigre pyramid. 763 00:34:42,840 --> 00:34:44,080 Wow! 764 00:34:44,080 --> 00:34:46,510 It may have taken me three trips to el mirador, 765 00:34:46,510 --> 00:34:51,050 but we may finally be in the presence of a snake king. 766 00:34:51,050 --> 00:34:53,220 Wow, look at this. 767 00:34:53,220 --> 00:34:55,620 ♪ 768 00:35:02,460 --> 00:35:07,530 ♪ 769 00:35:07,530 --> 00:35:09,970 gates: Though lost to humanity for thousands of years, 770 00:35:09,970 --> 00:35:13,370 el mirador hasn't gone entirely unoccupied, 771 00:35:13,370 --> 00:35:16,510 and richard has gotten very friendly with his neighbors. 772 00:35:16,510 --> 00:35:18,580 Richard, I understand that you speak howler monkey. 773 00:35:18,580 --> 00:35:20,110 -I do. -Let's hear it. 774 00:35:20,110 --> 00:35:21,510 -Okay, here we go. -Here we go. You ready? 775 00:35:21,520 --> 00:35:24,080 Yeah. 776 00:35:24,080 --> 00:35:33,490 [ imitating howler monkey ] 777 00:35:33,490 --> 00:35:36,130 what exactly are you saying? 778 00:35:36,130 --> 00:35:39,230 I don't know. I don't know. No response. 779 00:35:39,230 --> 00:35:41,270 Maybe it reminds him of his mother-in-law. 780 00:35:41,270 --> 00:35:45,140 [ laughter ] 781 00:35:51,980 --> 00:35:54,950 ♪ 782 00:35:54,950 --> 00:35:56,820 gates: After being summoned by archaeologist 783 00:35:56,820 --> 00:35:58,220 dr. Richard hansen... 784 00:35:58,220 --> 00:36:00,890 We're still in active excavations on here, josh. 785 00:36:00,890 --> 00:36:02,720 Gates: ...I've returned to the once-lost, 786 00:36:02,720 --> 00:36:05,690 pre-classic maya city of el mirador. 787 00:36:05,690 --> 00:36:07,590 Wow, look at this. 788 00:36:07,590 --> 00:36:10,130 Richard believes that he may have finally discovered 789 00:36:10,130 --> 00:36:12,260 the site of a snake king tomb 790 00:36:12,270 --> 00:36:15,130 inside the holy pyramid of el tigre. 791 00:36:15,140 --> 00:36:16,270 Incredible. 792 00:36:16,270 --> 00:36:19,640 Now with gpr experts bob and bob leonard, 793 00:36:19,640 --> 00:36:23,740 we're going to scan and see if he's right. 794 00:36:23,740 --> 00:36:25,480 So, richard, give me a little orientation here. 795 00:36:25,480 --> 00:36:28,350 First of all, where are we up here? 796 00:36:28,350 --> 00:36:30,480 Josh, what we're looking at are three buildings 797 00:36:30,480 --> 00:36:32,220 on the summit of a platform, 798 00:36:32,220 --> 00:36:34,490 which is characteristic of the architecture 799 00:36:34,490 --> 00:36:36,450 in the pre-classic period from 300 b.C. 800 00:36:36,460 --> 00:36:40,660 To about the time of christ. 801 00:36:40,660 --> 00:36:41,960 Gates: This style of architecture 802 00:36:41,960 --> 00:36:43,330 where one main pyramid 803 00:36:43,330 --> 00:36:46,900 is flanked by two smaller ones is called triadic, 804 00:36:46,900 --> 00:36:51,500 and it almost always signifies a religious or political center. 805 00:36:51,510 --> 00:36:54,410 And since el tigre was home to the city's elite, 806 00:36:54,410 --> 00:36:58,540 it is perhaps the most important triadic center in el mirador. 807 00:36:58,550 --> 00:36:59,810 Richard has high hopes 808 00:36:59,810 --> 00:37:02,380 for anything that's hidden inside of it. 809 00:37:02,380 --> 00:37:05,220 None of the tombs of these snake kings have ever been found. 810 00:37:05,220 --> 00:37:07,690 No. Never. Never been found. 811 00:37:07,690 --> 00:37:11,260 Let's see if one of them might be up here. 812 00:37:11,260 --> 00:37:13,060 The bobs did an earlier scan here 813 00:37:13,060 --> 00:37:15,460 that discovered a void in the pyramid, 814 00:37:15,460 --> 00:37:17,730 but now they've brought a new gpr unit, 815 00:37:17,730 --> 00:37:19,930 which uses multiple antennas. 816 00:37:19,930 --> 00:37:21,830 It should give them and richard 817 00:37:21,840 --> 00:37:23,770 a clearer picture of what's down there. 818 00:37:23,770 --> 00:37:25,600 All right, josh. Come here. Check this out. 819 00:37:25,610 --> 00:37:29,540 -You've got something? -Yeah. 820 00:37:29,540 --> 00:37:30,980 Yeah, you do. 821 00:37:30,980 --> 00:37:32,740 Yeah, you do. Look at that! 822 00:37:32,750 --> 00:37:34,310 You can see all this clear area up here. 823 00:37:34,310 --> 00:37:36,450 -That's rock. -Solid rock up here, yeah. 824 00:37:36,450 --> 00:37:39,480 And then when that signal gets into a void... 825 00:37:39,490 --> 00:37:41,290 -Yeah. -...It'll sit there and bounce 826 00:37:41,290 --> 00:37:42,820 back and forth. -Yes. 827 00:37:42,820 --> 00:37:43,920 And so, you know, that's what we're seeing right there. 828 00:37:43,920 --> 00:37:45,960 Holy smokes. 829 00:37:45,960 --> 00:37:47,030 That looks like a chamber. 830 00:37:47,030 --> 00:37:50,600 Yeah. 831 00:37:50,600 --> 00:37:52,260 Let's look at it. 832 00:37:52,270 --> 00:37:54,170 Gates: To get through the stone of the pyramid, 833 00:37:54,170 --> 00:37:56,900 we came prepared with a pneumatic rock drill 834 00:37:56,900 --> 00:37:58,900 powered by a gas generator, 835 00:37:58,910 --> 00:38:02,440 which, just to remind you, I schlepped all the way up here. 836 00:38:02,440 --> 00:38:03,710 Okay, we're up! 837 00:38:03,710 --> 00:38:07,180 It uses a carbide bit to punch a small, deep hole 838 00:38:07,180 --> 00:38:08,480 in the ancient structure. 839 00:38:08,480 --> 00:38:10,620 Okay, we ready? Yeah? 840 00:38:10,620 --> 00:38:13,890 Yep, let's go. 841 00:38:13,890 --> 00:38:15,890 Gates: All four of us lean into the drill. 842 00:38:15,890 --> 00:38:20,460 It's like boring through, well, solid rock. 843 00:38:20,460 --> 00:38:24,160 But then, all of a sudden, it isn't. 844 00:38:24,160 --> 00:38:25,360 -Whoa! -Whoa! 845 00:38:25,370 --> 00:38:27,170 Oh, whoa, whoa! It dropped. 846 00:38:27,170 --> 00:38:28,700 There's a cavity there. 847 00:38:28,700 --> 00:38:30,570 Ha! Okay, let's get it up. 848 00:38:30,570 --> 00:38:32,870 When it drops like that, there's something weird. 849 00:38:32,870 --> 00:38:34,710 -Up. Up, up, up. -Whoa, whoa, whoa. 850 00:38:34,710 --> 00:38:37,440 -Okay, let's bring this down. -Pull it out. 851 00:38:37,440 --> 00:38:38,440 -Okay. -There we go. 852 00:38:38,450 --> 00:38:40,280 -Okay, drill's out. -Okay. 853 00:38:40,280 --> 00:38:42,150 Okay, now it's camera time. 854 00:38:42,150 --> 00:38:43,620 Now it's camera time. 855 00:38:43,620 --> 00:38:45,580 Mine's a little bit primitive compared to what we need. 856 00:38:45,590 --> 00:38:46,650 I brought a little upgrade for you. 857 00:38:46,650 --> 00:38:47,750 -Oh, good boy. -Yeah. 858 00:38:47,750 --> 00:38:48,850 That's it, that's it. 859 00:38:48,860 --> 00:38:53,060 Next-level. 860 00:38:53,060 --> 00:38:54,230 The camera I've brought has 861 00:38:54,230 --> 00:38:56,700 a special pan-and-tilt function... 862 00:38:56,700 --> 00:38:58,060 Holy smokes. 863 00:38:58,070 --> 00:39:00,400 Gates: ...With an articulating head capable of seeing 864 00:39:00,400 --> 00:39:03,200 everything around it. 865 00:39:03,200 --> 00:39:04,540 Okay, we're live. Moment of truth. 866 00:39:04,540 --> 00:39:06,140 You ready? 867 00:39:06,140 --> 00:39:09,370 We send our snake cam to catch a snake king. 868 00:39:09,380 --> 00:39:12,680 Here we go. 869 00:39:12,680 --> 00:39:14,210 Okay, we're good. 870 00:39:14,210 --> 00:39:16,480 -Give me some slack. -Whoa, whoa, whoa! 871 00:39:16,480 --> 00:39:18,220 -Stop, stop, stop, stop, stop! -Ha, ha! 872 00:39:18,220 --> 00:39:19,780 It looks like at the bottom, there's an opening. 873 00:39:19,790 --> 00:39:22,590 There is. 874 00:39:22,590 --> 00:39:24,090 There's a room in there. 875 00:39:24,090 --> 00:39:27,230 There's a room in there. Go further. 876 00:39:27,230 --> 00:39:29,090 -Can you push on? -Yeah. 877 00:39:29,100 --> 00:39:32,060 -There's the chamber there. -Boy, it looks like 878 00:39:32,070 --> 00:39:33,530 there's almost architecture to that room. 879 00:39:33,530 --> 00:39:34,770 I know. I know it. 880 00:39:34,770 --> 00:39:36,000 It looks like a squared-off room, doesn't it? 881 00:39:36,000 --> 00:39:37,570 That's what it looks like to me, too. 882 00:39:37,570 --> 00:39:38,940 Oh, what? Oh, wait, wait, wait, wait. 883 00:39:38,940 --> 00:39:42,610 Go back up again. 884 00:39:42,610 --> 00:39:44,280 What's this? 885 00:39:44,280 --> 00:39:45,880 It's got a big slab coming this way 886 00:39:45,880 --> 00:39:47,510 and a big slab going that way. 887 00:39:47,510 --> 00:39:48,650 It does look vaulted, doesn't it? 888 00:39:48,650 --> 00:39:50,850 -It does look vaulted. -Right there. See? 889 00:39:50,850 --> 00:39:53,420 Which would mean, then, that this thing has collapsed, 890 00:39:53,420 --> 00:39:56,490 and there's the remnant of the vault. 891 00:39:56,490 --> 00:39:58,220 Gates: This is remarkable. 892 00:39:58,230 --> 00:40:00,130 It is entirely possible that we're looking 893 00:40:00,130 --> 00:40:02,690 at a pre-classic maya construction 894 00:40:02,700 --> 00:40:06,600 that no one has laid eyes on in over 2,000 years. 895 00:40:06,600 --> 00:40:09,400 Even more significant is that the collapsed vault 896 00:40:09,400 --> 00:40:11,870 looks eerily familiar to richard. 897 00:40:11,870 --> 00:40:14,040 Well, what is fascinating is that there were two blocks 898 00:40:14,040 --> 00:40:15,540 like this, one directly on the other, 899 00:40:15,540 --> 00:40:16,810 and we have a precedent for that, 900 00:40:16,810 --> 00:40:19,610 the great site of wakna, which is here at the basin. 901 00:40:19,610 --> 00:40:21,250 There's a vault there that was looted. 902 00:40:21,250 --> 00:40:22,780 -And that was a tomb, you think? -Oh, yes. 903 00:40:22,780 --> 00:40:24,580 And that's what we saw in that thing there. 904 00:40:24,580 --> 00:40:26,180 Which, you know, if that's the case, 905 00:40:26,190 --> 00:40:27,590 then you could be looking at another tomb. 906 00:40:27,590 --> 00:40:28,890 Oh, yeah. 907 00:40:28,890 --> 00:40:31,360 Any chance that what we're seeing here is a snake king? 908 00:40:31,360 --> 00:40:32,890 -Very possible. -Wow. 909 00:40:32,890 --> 00:40:34,460 We're gonna have to dig it regardless. 910 00:40:34,460 --> 00:40:36,330 Yeah. 911 00:40:36,330 --> 00:40:38,760 After years of looking for man-made cavities 912 00:40:38,770 --> 00:40:40,600 in the pyramids of el mirador, 913 00:40:40,600 --> 00:40:44,670 richard may have at last found what he's looking for. 914 00:40:44,670 --> 00:40:46,670 But finding out what's inside 915 00:40:46,670 --> 00:40:49,110 without damaging the structure will take months 916 00:40:49,110 --> 00:40:51,910 of painstakingly careful excavation. 917 00:40:51,910 --> 00:40:53,380 So, like all things at el mirador, 918 00:40:53,380 --> 00:40:56,510 we have some new answers and some new questions. 919 00:40:56,520 --> 00:40:58,350 Well, what it gives us is an area 920 00:40:58,350 --> 00:41:00,020 that we never would have excavated before. 921 00:41:00,020 --> 00:41:01,190 Right. 922 00:41:01,190 --> 00:41:02,250 Finding new structures at el mirador -- 923 00:41:02,260 --> 00:41:05,020 unbelievable. 924 00:41:05,030 --> 00:41:08,190 To date, I've been to el mirador three times 925 00:41:08,200 --> 00:41:10,860 in order to find the tombs of the snake kings. 926 00:41:10,860 --> 00:41:13,870 I've been witness to some remarkable discoveries 927 00:41:13,870 --> 00:41:16,940 and in the process learned how the mightiest of empires 928 00:41:16,940 --> 00:41:20,540 can fall by their mismanagement of the environment. 929 00:41:20,540 --> 00:41:23,880 Now this third trip has uncovered the possibility 930 00:41:23,880 --> 00:41:26,580 not just of a single snake king tomb 931 00:41:26,580 --> 00:41:29,550 but the signature construction for all of them. 932 00:41:29,550 --> 00:41:32,780 I think having this non-invasive remote-sensing technology 933 00:41:32,790 --> 00:41:35,420 combined with this minimally invasive drilling means 934 00:41:35,420 --> 00:41:37,020 that you might be on the cusp 935 00:41:37,020 --> 00:41:38,660 of making a lot of discoveries here. 936 00:41:38,660 --> 00:41:40,660 Well, all this technology lets us 937 00:41:40,660 --> 00:41:41,790 tell the story of humanity 938 00:41:41,800 --> 00:41:44,060 we've never been able to tell before. 939 00:41:44,060 --> 00:41:45,900 Good start. 940 00:41:45,900 --> 00:41:46,900 -Thank you. -Let's keep at it. 941 00:41:46,900 --> 00:41:50,370 Thanks for being here, josh. 942 00:41:50,370 --> 00:41:52,870 Gates: It looks like as many times as I leave, 943 00:41:52,870 --> 00:41:55,910 I'll never truly say goodbye to el mirador. 944 00:41:55,910 --> 00:41:58,580 ♪