How the proud Maya civilization built Chichen Itza’s impressive pyramids based on math and astronomy before it was abandoned to the jungle.

Rising from obscurity to the heights of power, a succession of Andean rulers subdued kingdoms, sculpted mountains, and forged a mighty empire.

Learn about the mystery behind the fame crystal skulls and the controversy surrounding their mysterious origins.

Read an interview with a real-life archaeologist to find out his favorite discovery and how he became an archaeologist.

Discover the tale of the once resplendent Khmer capital that practically vanished.

For centuries, people have tried in vain to locate and recover the Bible's most sacred objects. Among the most sought-after of these religious antiquities is the famed Ark of the Covenant.

Dr. Fredrik Hiebert, archaeologist and explorer, has traced ancient trade routes overland and across the seas for more than 20 years.

The Holy Grail has come to haunt stories ranging from Arthurian legend to Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade™.

Albert Yu-Min Lin’s explorations are groundbreaking, because they never break ground. He uses noninvasive computer based technologies to gather, synthesize, and visualize data without disturbing a blade of grass.

Meet more of National Geographic's Explorers and read about their groundbreaking discoveries direct from the field.

Explore each tomb and find out who is buried there. The artifacts hold many clues.

How much do you know about Mesoamerican Maya civilization? Put your history knowledge to the test in this quiz.