Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
What if everything we thought we knew about the ancient civilizations of the Americas was only part of the story?
In this fascinating episode of Truth Be Told, Tony Sweet sits down with renowned archaeologist Dr. Edwin Barnhart to explore the mysteries of the Maya, Inca, and other ancient cultures that flourished long before European contact. From the breathtaking engineering of Machu Picchu and the spiritual heart of Cusco to lost cities hidden beneath dense jungles, Dr. Barnhart reveals why some of history's greatest mysteries remain unsolved.
We discuss:
• The incredible stonework of Machu Picchu and how it may have been constructed
• The origins of the Inca Empire and their fascinating creation stories
• Ancient giants, gods, and mythology throughout the Americas
• The mysterious Inca khipu "written language" that researchers still can't fully decode
• Whether the Maya and Inca ever had contact with one another
• Forgotten advanced civilizations of North America
• The spiritual significance of Peru and the Amazon
• Ancient cities that could rewrite human history
• Why Dr. Barnhart believes there is still far more to discover than we currently know
If you love archaeology, ancient mysteries, lost civilizations, hidden history, and the unanswered questions of our past, this is an episode you won't want to miss.
Connect with Dr. Edwin Barnhart
Maya Exploration Center: Maya Exploration Center
ArchaeoEd Podcast: ArchaeoEd Podcast
Patreon: Patreon - ArchaeoEd
YouTube: Archaeologist Ed Barnhart YouTube Channel
Great Courses: Great Courses with Edwin Barnhart
Audible Courses: Audible - Edwin Barnhart Courses
Maya Calendar: Mayan Calendar Website
Maya Calendar App: Maya Calendar App Store
Bars & Dots Maya Calendar Tool: Bars and Dots Calculator
Support Dr. Barnhart's nonprofit research and educational programs through the Maya Exploration Center and Patreon
What if everything we thought we knew about the ancient civilizations of the Americas was only part of the story?
In this fascinating episode of Truth Be Told, Tony Sweet sits down with renowned archaeologist Dr. Edwin Barnhart to explore the mysteries of the Maya, Inca, and other ancient cultures that flourished long before European contact. From the breathtaking engineering of Machu Picchu and the spiritual heart of Cusco to lost cities hidden beneath dense jungles, Dr. Barnhart reveals why some of history's greatest mysteries remain unsolved.
We discuss:
• The incredible stonework of Machu Picchu and how it may have been constructed
• The origins of the Inca Empire and their fascinating creation stories
• Ancient giants, gods, and mythology throughout the Americas
• The mysterious Inca khipu "written language" that researchers still can't fully decode
• Whether the Maya and Inca ever had contact with one another
• Forgotten advanced civilizations of North America
• The spiritual significance of Peru and the Amazon
• Ancient cities that could rewrite human history
• Why Dr. Barnhart believes there is still far more to discover than we currently know
If you love archaeology, ancient mysteries, lost civilizations, hidden history, and the unanswered questions of our past, this is an episode you won't want to miss.
Connect with Dr. Edwin Barnhart
Maya Exploration Center: Maya Exploration Center
ArchaeoEd Podcast: ArchaeoEd Podcast
Patreon: Patreon - ArchaeoEd
YouTube: Archaeologist Ed Barnhart YouTube Channel
Great Courses: Great Courses with Edwin Barnhart
Audible Courses: Audible - Edwin Barnhart Courses
Maya Calendar: Mayan Calendar Website
Maya Calendar App: Maya Calendar App Store
Bars & Dots Maya Calendar Tool: Bars and Dots Calculator
Support Dr. Barnhart's nonprofit research and educational programs through the Maya Exploration Center and Patreon
