Digging for the Truth — Season 1, Episode 8: Passage to the Maya Underworld

Episode synopsis

The Maya of Central America were the greatest pyramid builders of the ancient world. The Egyptians built less than a 100 pyramids--the Maya built thousands. But what was the significance of these towering structures? Determined to solve the meaning of the Mayan pyramids, host and explorer Josh Bernstein sets out on a remarkable journey that takes him from the great Mayan cities of Southern Mexico to the hinterland of Guatemala. Josh explores ancient tombs, dives in flooded caverns, and shoots whitewater rapids. Finally, he reaches a secret place in the high jungle of Guatemala where a mountain, a cave, and a river converge. It's here, according to the Maya, that the world was born, and it's this mystical place upon which all Mayan pyramids are modeled.

About Digging for the Truth

Digging for the Truth was a History Channel television series. The first three seasons of the show focused on host Josh Bernstein, who journeyed on various explorations of historical icons and mysteries. Bernstein is the president and CEO of BOSS and has a degree in anthropology and psychology from Cornell University. The show airs every Monday night at 9:00 EST on the History Channel. The series premiered in January, 2005 and has since become the highest-rated series in the history of The History Channel, which was surprising given the previous show "Time Titans" from the production crew never made it past the pilot. The third season premiered on January 22, 2007, with a 2-hour special event on the quest for Atlantis. Bernstein announced on February 20, 2007, that he would be leaving The History Channel and Digging for the Truth, and would, as of April, join The Discovery Channel as an executive producer and host of a new prime-time series and specials. Hunter Ellis, host of Tactical to Practical and Man, Moment, Machine for The History Channel, then replaced Josh Bernstein as host.

More episodes from Season 1

• E1Who Built Egypt's Pyramids?
• E2Nefertiti: The Mummy Returns
• E3Pompeii Secrets Revealed
• E4Hunt for the Lost Ark
• E5The Holy Grail
• E6The Iceman Cometh
• E7Quest for King Solomon's Gold
• E9The Lost Tribe of Israel
• E10Secrets of the Nazca Lines
• E11The Search for El Dorado
• E12Giants of Easter Island
• E13Mystery of the Anasazi