Who were the ancient Maya, what did they achieve, and why did their great civilization eventually collapse? In this episode, world-renowned Maya expert and archaeologist Arthur Demarest shares his deep knowledge of the Maya civilization – and reflects on its relevance to today’s world. He takes us on an adventure through the jungles in search of lost kingdoms, with stories reminiscent of Indiana Jones.

The episode connects to the Didrichsen Art Museum through its significant pre-Columbian collection. It is the first in a two-part series on the Maya.