The Hunt for El Dorado: Unveiling the Lost City

Join us as we journey back in time to explore the elusive golden city of El Dorado. From the Muisca people's origin of the myths to Columbus' discovery of gold, we trace the history of the many expeditions launched to uncover the truth. Follow Sir Walter Raleigh as he sets off on a quest to find the capital city of Manoa on the shores of Lake Parime. Discover the truth behind Alexander Von Humboldt's conclusion about the elusive El Dorado.

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[JamesFromTexas]

I just watched a TIFO episode from 3 years ago and Simon was raving on about how a 30 minute video was "super long." How far you've come, man!

[achristiananarchist]

Growing up in New Mexico, there was a rather funny version of the El Dorado story that I used to hear from some Pueblo people that may not be true but is rather entertaining. The story is that some conquistador or another was in the NM area looking for El Dorado, but the local people weren't sure what he was talking about when he asked about "gold", so he had his translator describe it. "It's yellow, it shines in the light, and it is tremendously valuable." So then they suddenly realized what he was asking, and took him to the village that grew all their corn.

[BruceBoyde]

An hour long Decoding the Unknown? This Monday just got so goddamn much better.

[Sam-eyns]

Dr. Heckenberger was my archaeology professor at the University of Florida! He was awesome. He considers himself an ethno-archaeologist which means he works with the indigenous tribes and excavates with their cooperation. Such a fascinating tribe!! I think he has helped them with the Brazilian government too.

[RIlianP]

When I was a kid, the Mysterious cities of gold cartoon was my favorite thing to watch on the TV, to this day when I hear El Dorado the opening song earworms its way into my head.

[Dzonnyg]

I'm starting to notice this channel has seemingly become my favourite of yours, interesting topics, some biography stuff, some geography stuff, a lot of history and you have that sweet spot perfect reasonable approach

[kylegerhart]

We love you Simon! We’re all so lucky to have you 😊 Can’t believe how many years of my life you’ve narrated!

[raycollins]

Simon, my wife is Colombian. Her great-grandfather grew up in Guatavita but later moved to San Bernardo de Cundinamarca where my wife, her grandparents and her parents were born. On New Year’s Day 2014 we decided to visit Guatavita to see where her ancestors came from. The Muisca who run the site now gave us the same history you read. The notch in the side of the mountain is still quite obvious and I got better photos of it that day than the ones you showed (much better lighting on Jan 1, 2014). If I can find a way to upload one I’d be happy to share it.

[TheAntiburglar]

One of the primary reasons for the lack of wheel use throughout the Amazon is basically that the terrain just really sucks and wheels don't work very well in the dense jungle.

This is the perfect opportunity for me to suggest covering the fabled Treasure of the Llanganatis. According to the legend, some of the gold for Atahualpa's ransom (as mentioned in the video) never made it to Pizarro, but instead was hidden in the Llanganates mountain range in my homeland of Ecuador. It remains lost to this day, as were (if I remember correctly) the lives of a few who went looking for it. Death, betrayal, mystery, more death, and Conquistadors being dicks: it sounds like a case for Decoding the Unknown!

[MCsCreations]

The most incredible part of this history is that LOTS of people believed this place actually existed. Many died searching for it.
Fascinating indeed.

[whom]

I only discovered this channel a week ago. It is already one of my favorite channels on all of youtube. It'll take me a while to go through the whole back catalog but looking forward to it. Keep up the good work.

[ClellBiggs]

Sam is the hero of LotR. You don't know the name because like a real hero he doesn't need recognition nor does he know how incredible his deeds truly were.

[jon]

Mythology is the cultural version of the fisherman's story where the fish is larger with each retelling of the story.

[BardovBacchus]

Gaily bedight, A gallant knight, In sunshine and in shadow, Had journeyed long, Singing a song, In search of Eldorado. But he grew old- This knight so bold- And o'er his heart a shadow Fell as he found No spot of ground That looked like Eldorado. And, as his strength Failed him at length, He met a pilgrim shadow- "Shadow, " said he, "Where can it be- This land of Eldorado?" "Over the Mountains Of the Moon, Down the Valley of the Shadow, Ride, boldly ride, " The shade replied- "If you seek for Eldorado!" - Edgar Allan Poe

[seanentzel]

I just found my old Gameboy advance going thru my boxes Simon. Found pokemon red as well and started a playthrough. Already got my Charmander evolved to Charmeleon

[anna]

Excellent script, Ilze. Thank you. And thank you Simon, for the reading, I really enjoyed this one.

[fmlghm]

Bro when Simon just yelled where is Harry Potter's castle it caught me off guard and I just died laughing in the middle of my job my coworkers were looking at me like I'm insane

[Lily-necp]

Just started the video, and so happy see another hour + video. Fact boy doing the holy work of keeping people distracted from their problems 🙌

[ViolentAurora]

Crazy how when you actually listen to the people living in an area, who have been living in that area for a long time, you find things out. Wow.