Josh Gates Just Discovered Something HORRIFYING During Expedition Unknown Recordings
Josh Gates Just Discovered Something HORRIFYING During Expedition Unknown Recordings
Expedition Unknown: The Lost City of Sak Balam
Introduction: The Quest for the White Jaguar
Josh Gates, host of Expedition Unknown, embarks on an extraordinary adventure to uncover a long-lost Mayan city in the dense jungles of southern Mexico. Armed with his trademark curiosity, a shovel, and a deep passion for mystery, Josh faces an investigation that could change the course of history.
Josh Gates:
“Look at this… oh my word… wow! We’ve got stones here. Look at this! This is not natural. What could it be?”
The White Jaguar: A Tale of Mayan Legends
In the heart of Mexico’s jungles, beneath the relentless sun, lies the legendary lost city of Sak Balam—meaning “White Jaguar.” According to Mayan mythology, the white jaguars descended from the sky, destined to devour all of humankind.
Josh Gates and his team are drawn into the story of a city once sought by Spanish conquistadors, who, for centuries, chased after its treasures and its secrets.
The Lost City of Sak Balam
The Mayans were once an advanced and powerful civilization, known for their mastery of astronomy, mathematics, and intricate art. But when the Spanish arrived in the 16th century, the once-great city-states were destroyed, leaving only remnants of their existence.
In the wake of their downfall, the last free Mayans fled to Sak Balam, hiding deep in the jungle and evading the Spanish for over a century. When the Spanish finally discovered the city in 1695, it was quickly seized, its people defeated, and its splendor buried by time.
The Search Begins: Merging Old Maps with New Technology
Fast forward to 2019, and archaeologists are on a mission to uncover this hidden city. Using a combination of centuries-old maps and cutting-edge technology—like LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging)—they begin their search for the elusive ruins.
Dr. Brent Woodfi, a seasoned archaeologist, and Josh Gates join forces, pouring over ancient documents and maps that provide the key to unlocking Sak Balam’s location.
Dr. Brent Woodfi:
“We’ve got old colonial maps, descriptions from the Spanish, and LiDAR to see beneath the dense canopy. This could be it…”
In the Footsteps of Conquistadors: The Lacandon Jungle
Josh and Brent’s search leads them to the Lacandon Jungle, a vast wilderness that spans 4.5 million acres across Mexico and Guatemala. The landscape is treacherous, and the jungles are filled with danger—both from the environment and from criminal activity.
As they enter the jungle, Josh and his crew follow in the footsteps of the Spanish conquistadors, who once navigated the same treacherous paths to reach the hidden city.
Josh Gates:
“After all this time… it’s hard to imagine that something so incredible could still be out here, waiting to be found.”
The Key to the City: A Map and a Clue
While scouring old documents, Josh and Brent come across an invaluable find: a map made by a Spanish friar named Diego Derivas. This map, held in Spain’s Archive of the Indies, outlines the journey from Sak Balam to a town on Lake Izabal in Guatemala.
Brent and his colleague, Yosui, use the map and LiDAR data to narrow down their search area, focusing on a remote part of the jungle in Mexico’s Chiapas region.
Yosui (Archaeologist from Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology):
“This map is more than just a guide… it’s a lifeline to uncovering the forgotten city.”
The Discovery: Ruins and Tombs in the Jungle
The team pushes forward, eventually receiving a tip from a local park ranger who believes he’s found signs of human-made ruins deep in the jungle. The ranger, Ephraim Guzmán, leads Josh and Brent through thick terrain to an area where they find the first evidence of something truly remarkable.
Josh Gates:
“Look at this… this looks like a tomb. It’s stone-lined. This could be the beginning of something huge.”
What follows is a thrilling journey through dense forest, where the team uncovers a Mayan tomb, filled with ceremonial objects—potentially marking the final resting place of a noble or priest. Among the finds are obsidian blades, a precious commodity that suggests the area played a significant role in the Postclassic period of Mayan civilization.
A Closer Look: Examining the Artifacts
As Josh and the team continue their excavation, they begin unearthing more artifacts: finely-carved limestone tiles, pots, and obsidian blades—each discovery offering a crucial clue to the ancient Mayans who once lived there.
The team begins to feel a growing certainty that they may have found the location of Sak Balam.
Dr. Brent Woodfi:
“These objects are unmistakable. They point to a Postclassic period—exactly what we’d expect to find in a place like Sak Balam.”
LiDAR Scans Reveal Hidden Structures
To further validate their discoveries, the team employs LiDAR technology—an aerial laser scanning tool that penetrates thick jungle foliage to reveal hidden structures beneath the surface.
As the LiDAR scans continue, the results are nothing short of astonishing. Large, rectangular structures emerge from the dense vegetation. Some of these structures appear to be large mounds, likely used for communal housing, while others show signs of lookouts and defensive positions—hinting at the strategic importance of the city.
Josh Gates:
“Look at this! This is it! This could very well be the city of the White Jaguar—the final stronghold of the Mayan people.”
The Moment of Truth: A Lost City Revealed
The excavation site reveals more and more evidence of a bustling society—vast terraces, pyramids, and ceremonial platforms. As Josh and his team continue their work, they uncover a massive structure that might just be the city’s main temple or ceremonial center.
Dr. Brent Woodfi:
“We’re standing on something historic right now. This could be the heart of Sak Balam, the city that the Mayans fought so fiercely to protect.”
A New Chapter in Mayan History
As the archaeologists continue their work, it becomes clear that the discovery of Sak Balam is one of the most significant findings in modern archaeology. Not only does it provide new insights into the final days of the Mayan civilization, but it also reveals the extraordinary resilience of the Mayan people in their fight for survival.
Josh Gates and his team have uncovered a forgotten metropolis, hidden for centuries beneath the thick jungles of southern Mexico. The White Jaguar, once a symbol of doom in Mayan myth, has finally revealed itself—and with it, a new chapter in the story of one of the world’s greatest civilizations.
Conclusion: The Legacy of the Maya
In the end, the legacy of the Mayan people lives on in the ruins of Sak Balam. The city’s astonishing architecture, its stunning artifacts, and its incredible history speak to the strength, ingenuity, and resilience of a people who, despite centuries of invasion and destruction, have never been truly erased from the Earth.
Josh Gates:
“Just like the White Jaguar, the Maya civilization has left an indelible mark on this land, and now… we’ve uncovered their secrets.”
Thank you for joining us on this incredible journey. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share for more adventures with Josh Gates and the Expedition Unknown team.
