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The Legends of El Dorado: City of Gold (Full Episode) | Lost Cities with Albert Lin

National Geographic・25 minutes read

The Legend of El Dorado traces back to tales of gold-covered kings and cities in Colombia, with modern technology like LiDAR revealing the advanced engineering and water management systems of the Tyrona people. Archaeologists uncover intricate Tyrona gold jewelry and map out ancient cities with plans to scan the entire valley for more hidden structures.

Insights

  • Albert Lynn leverages modern technology like LiDAR to unveil hidden Tyrona civilizations in Colombia, showcasing advanced engineering and water management systems.
  • The impact of Spanish conquest on the Tyrona population, detailed by anthropologists like Eduardo MAA, highlights the devastating consequences of diseases and greed, while descendants like the Kogi reveal the lasting effects of gold lust on their culture.

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Recent questions

  • What is the Legend of El Dorado?

    The Legend of El Dorado originated in the jungles of Colombia, with tales of a king covered in gold dust and cities covered in gold. It symbolizes the mythical city of gold that explorers sought in South America during the colonial era.

  • How do archaeologists study ancient civilizations?

    Archaeologists like Santiago Heraldo spend decades excavating and studying ancient sites, revealing advanced engineering and water management systems. They use technologies like LiDAR to create 3D models of cities, uncovering hidden structures and pathways.

  • What is the significance of Tyrona gold jewelry?

    Tyrona gold jewelry was made from an alloy of gold, copper, and silver, with a thin gold layer on the exterior created through chemical processes. The intricate and detailed designs showcase the craftsmanship and artistic skills of the Tyrona people.

  • How do Tyrona cities withstand heavy rainfall?

    The Tyrona cities were designed as water management systems to withstand heavy rainfall in the region, preserving the structures for centuries. Advanced engineering techniques were used to ensure the durability and longevity of the cities.

  • What impact did Spanish conquest have on the Tyrona population?

    The devastating impact of Spanish conquest on the Tyrona population included diseases and greed that decimated their numbers. Descendants of the Tyrona, like the Kogi people, share their origin story and the cultural impact of gold lust on their community.

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Summary

00:00

Uncovering Colombia's Lost Tyrona Cities with LiDAR

  • Legend of El Dorado originated in the jungles of Colombia, with tales of a king covered in gold dust and cities covered in gold.
  • Albert Lynn uses 21st-century technology to explore the ancient world, uncovering hidden civilizations with lasers and military assistance.
  • The Lost City of Ciudad Perdida in Colombia's Sierra Nevada was built by the Tyrona people around 600 AD, housing thousands of inhabitants.
  • Archaeologists like Santiago Heraldo have spent decades excavating and studying the Tyrona sites, revealing their advanced engineering and water management systems.
  • Tyrona gold jewelry, intricate and detailed, was made from an alloy of gold, copper, and silver, with a thin gold layer on the exterior created through chemical processes.
  • Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology is used to scan the Tyrona sites, creating 3D models that show the intricate pathways and design of the ancient cities.
  • The Tyrona cities were designed as water management systems to withstand the heavy rainfall in the region, preserving the structures for centuries.
  • LiDAR scans of Ciudad Perdida prove the technology's effectiveness, leading to plans to scan the entire valley to uncover more hidden Tyrona cities.
  • Aerial LiDAR scanning is conducted over the Sierra Nevada range, with a helicopter-mounted scanner capturing billions of data points to reveal hidden structures beneath the jungle canopy.
  • The discovery of a mapstone at the entrance to Ciudad Perdida hints at intricate pathways and hubs within the Tyrona cities, resembling neural networks and guiding the LiDAR scanning efforts.

21:32

Mystery of Tyrona civilization and lost city

  • Central areas and radiating paths are observed, but their exact mapping or representation is unknown.
  • A picture is taken and overlaid with a ground scan to match and scale the Central Area and Terrace.
  • The Central Area and Terrace do not align at the current scale, suggesting a need for reduction to fit.
  • A staircase of 1200 Stone steps leading to the sea is discovered at CAD prida, hinting at further exploration.
  • Anthropologist Eduardo MAA explains the trade and life of the tyrona along the seashore.
  • The devastating impact of Spanish conquest on the tyrona population through diseases and greed is detailed.
  • Descendants of the tyrona, the kogi, share their origin story and the impact of gold lust on their culture.
  • The lar scanner is used to create accurate models of the kogi Huts at CAD PR, offering a glimpse into the past.
  • A lost city is potentially discovered in the mountains, prompting a challenging expedition with the Colombian military.
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