sj_jaguar_33 Review of Lost Treasures of the Maya

Lost Treasures of the Maya (2018– )

Groundbreaking, yet somehow regressive

[6/10 · 6 March 2021]

For anyone interested in mythology, history or archaeology, the content of this series is a 10. WATCH IT! The undeniably awesome reveal allowed by the lidar tech is, redundantly, AWESOME! Unfortunately, that's a microcosm of this series. VERY repetitive. This is done, I think, on the premise that television requires a constant hook of excitement to reel the viewers in. Unfortunately, Nat Geo did not realize that their viewers would be watching this series in a streaming format, which means that most of us searched this series out by name. Instead of giving the host duties to a native expert or an archaeologist with two decades of experience like Francisco Estrada-Belli (who is the most compelling character in this series by far), they handed the job to the computer engineer, who watched national treasure and a few seasons of survivor in preparation to come to Guatemala. This sounds like a personal attack on the host; it is not. His contributions should be recognized and passed by. Instead, they are constantly harped on and, as other reviewers have said, sold as if this is an ad for lidar. The incredible discoveries made speak for themselves. There is absolutely no need for dramatic, sensational coverage.