The Channel 4 documentary,
Quest for the Lost City, described the epic quest for a lost
city of the Maya, an ancient civilisation that thrived in Central America
before being conquered by Europeans in the early 16th century.
Archaeologists have
called the lost city 'Site Q' from the Spanish word 'qué?',
which means 'which?' They have been searching for it in remote Guatemalan
jungles since the 1970s.
In Quest for
the Lost City, archaeologist Dr Neil Brodie, Maya expert Simone
Clifford-Jaeger and jungle guide Bernie Mittelstaedt braved rains, mosquitoes
and snakes to find the scientific evidence that they hope will finally
solve the mystery.
The film also raised
the issue of the wholesale looting of ancient treasures. The lust of
private art collectors in the rich countries of the West to possess
ancient Maya art has led to the despoliation of ancient ruins and the
irretrievable loss of vital archaeological evidence from this lost civilisation.
This website provides
a synopsis of the programme, information on the Maya, a brief account
of treasure looting in Central America, a selection of other 'lost'
cities and the means by which viewers can take their interest further,
including travelling to Guatemala.
