logo
episode-header-image
Sep 2024
3h 36m

#446 – Ed Barnhart: Maya, Aztec, Inca, a...

LEX FRIDMAN
About this episode

Ed Barnhart is an archaeologist and explorer specializing in ancient civilizations of the Americas. He is the Director of the Maya Exploration Center, host of the ArchaeoEd Podcast, and lecturer on the ancient history of North, Central, and South America. Ed is in part known for his groundbreaking work on ancient astronomy, mathematics, and calendar systems.
Thank you for listening ❤ Check out our sponsors: https://lexfridman.com/sponsors/ep446-sc
See below for timestamps, transcript, and to give feedback, submit questions, contact Lex, etc.

Transcript:
https://lexfridman.com/ed-barnhart-transcript

CONTACT LEX:
Feedback – give feedback to Lex: https://lexfridman.com/survey
AMA – submit questions, videos or call-in: https://lexfridman.com/ama
Hiring – join our team: https://lexfridman.com/hiring
Other – other ways to get in touch: https://lexfridman.com/contact

EPISODE LINKS:
Ed’s YouTube: https://youtube.com/@archaeoedpodcast
Ed’s Website: https://archaeoed.com/
Maya Exploration Center: https://mayaexploration.org
Ed’s Lectures on The Great Courses: https://thegreatcoursesplus.com/edwin-barnhart
Ed’s Lectures on Audible: https://adbl.co/4dBavTZ
2025 Mayan Calendar: https://mayan-calendar.com/

SPONSORS:
To support this podcast, check out our sponsors & get discounts:
MasterClass: Online classes from world-class experts.
Go to https://masterclass.com/lexpod
Shopify: Sell stuff online.
Go to https://shopify.com/lex
NetSuite: Business management software.
Go to http://netsuite.com/lex
AG1: All-in-one daily nutrition drinks.
Go to https://drinkag1.com/lex
Notion: Note-taking and team collaboration.
Go to https://notion.com/lex

OUTLINE:
(00:00) – Introduction
(08:59) – Lost civilizations
(16:04) – Hunter-gatherers
(19:36) – First humans in the Americas
(29:28) – South America
(34:57) – Pyramids
(42:01) – Religion
(55:05) – Shamanism
(57:02) – Ayahuasca
(1:03:15) – Lost City of Z
(1:08:09) – Graham Hancock
(1:15:11) – Uncontacted tribes
(1:21:12) – Maya civilization
(1:37:00) – Mayan calendar
(1:52:17) – Flood myths
(2:20:46) – Aztecs
(2:38:12) – Inca Empire
(2:56:13) – Early humans in North America
(3:02:10) – Columbus
(3:06:46) – Vikings
(3:10:55) – Aliens
(3:15:23) – Earth in 10,000 years
(3:31:33) – Hope for the future

PODCAST LINKS:
– Podcast Website: https://lexfridman.com/podcast
– Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2lwqZIr
– Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8
– RSS: https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/
– Podcast Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrAXtmErZgOdP_8GztsuKi9nrraNbKKp4
– Clips Channel: https://www.youtube.com/lexclips

Up next
Today
#478 – Scott Horton: The Case Against War and the Military Industrial Complex
Scott Horton is the director of the Libertarian Institute, editorial director of Antiwar.com, host of The Scott Horton Show, co-host of Provoked, and for the past three decades a staunch critic of U.S. military interventionism. Thank you for listening ❤ Check out our sponsors: ht ... Show More
10h 35m
Aug 13
#477 – Keyu Jin: China’s Economy, Tariffs, Trade, Trump, Communism & Capitalism
Keyu Jin is an economist specializing in China's economy, international macroeconomics, global trade imbalances, and financial policy. She is the author of The New China Playbook: Beyond Socialism and Capitalism. Thank you for listening ❤ Check out our sponsors: https://lexfridma ... Show More
1h 57m
Aug 1
#476 – Jack Weatherford: Genghis Khan and the Mongol Empire
Jack Weatherford is an anthropologist and historian specializing in Genghis Khan and the Mongol Empire. Thank you for listening ❤ Check out our sponsors: https://lexfridman.com/sponsors/ep476-sc See below for timestamps, transcript, and to give feedback, submit questions, contact ... Show More
4h 39m
Recommended Episodes
Jul 2024
The Maya Collapse
Just over 1,000 years ago, the ancient Maya world in Mesoamerica was turned upside down. Prominent cities like Tikal, Palenque, Copan and Calakmul, their great stone art and architecture left to be gradually reclaimed by the jungle. It's a time of decline known as the Maya Collap ... Show More
43m 16s
Aug 7
The Olmec: Mother of Mesoamerican Civilisations
Iconic monumental stone heads, the intriguing Lord of Las Limas, the enigmatic 'were-jaguar' figures, so much survives from the ancient Olmec civilisation.Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr. Jillian Mollenhauer to unravel the Olmec's sophisticated artistry, the symbolic significance ... Show More
1h 8m
Oct 2024
"Mapping the World Long Before Us" - Graham Hancock on Atlantis, Pyramids and Lost Civilizations | PBD Podcast | Ep. 490
Patrick Bet-David and Graham Hancock dive into the mysteries of ancient civilizations, exploring advanced knowledge, hidden chambers in the Great Pyramid, and the controversial idea of a forgotten Ice Age-era seafaring culture. Hancock shares his bold theories on lost history. — ... Show More
1h 36m
Mar 2025
Ancient Astronauts and Modern Discoveries: Insights from Jason Martell & Billy Carson.
WATCH THE FULL EPISODE FOR FREE @ www.4BK.tv 🔭 Delve into the fascinating world of ancient technologies and their modern applications in this insightful video presentation. ⚙️ Throughout history, civilizations have developed remarkable innovations that continue to influence cont ... Show More
1h 2m
Aug 2024
Mesopotamia
In this episode of History 102, join WhatIfAltHists creator Rudyard Lynch and Erik Torenberg as they explore the intricate history of Mesopotamia. This episode dives into the origins, advancements, and eventual decline of one of the world's earliest civilizations, covering everyt ... Show More
1h 7m
Apr 2025
339: Ancient Mysteries Solved? Shroud of Turin, Pyramid’s True Purpose & the Emerald Tablet of Thoth
Support our Sponsors!: FUM: https://tryfum.com/milehigher Stitchfix: https://stitchfix.com/milehigher Graham Hancock Episode: https://youtu.be/opAdW8bvYHI Intro 0:00 A Very Brief History of Relics 4:55 A Hidden City Under the Pyramids? 10:42 The Crazy Tech Used to Find Secrets 17 ... Show More
1h 24m
Oct 2024
H’ad Astra Historia Ep. 106: Astronomy Oral History Project Part 2
Dr. Jarita Holbrook continues with her story of the AAS’ Astronomy Oral History Project.   Dr. Holbrook (Harvard Smithsonian Ctr. for Astrophysics, Univ. of Edinburgh, Univ of the Western Cape) continues with her story of the AAS’ Astronomy Oral History Project. You’ll learn abou ... Show More
20m 50s
Nov 2024
Chichen Itza
Nestled in the heart of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, the ancient city of Chichén Itza stands as a majestic testament to the architectural ingenuity and cultural richness of the ancient Maya civilization. It’s long been regarded as a shining example of Maya influence, yet today, ma ... Show More
59m 20s
Jan 2025
The Maya
In 1511, a Spanish lifeboat makes land on the Yucatán coast in modern-day Mexico. Thirteen days ago, the crew's caravel was wrecked on a reef. But their adventure is far from over. Now, they are about to become some of the first Europeans to make contact with the Maya. Custodians ... Show More
55m 12s
Sep 2024
Awesome Astronomy - Life Giving & Life Taking Comets
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxY-HCCmZV0 Paul Hill and Dr. Jenifer “Dr. Dust” Millard host.  Damien Phillips, John Wildridge and Dustin Ruoff produce. From AstroCamp,  Jan 27, 2023. In this Astronomy 101 video we take a look at Comets! From the medieval portends of doom to the ... Show More
18m 13s