Ep 11. The Search for El Dorado

In season 1 episode 11 of Digging for the Truth, titled "The Search for El Dorado," host Josh Bernstein embarks on a journey to uncover the legendary lost city of gold known as El Dorado.

The episode begins with a brief introduction to the myth of El Dorado - a city said to be made entirely of gold, located somewhere in the vast wilderness of South America. Despite countless attempts by explorers over the centuries, many of whom lost their lives in the process, the location of El Dorado has never been definitively identified.

Josh sets out to retrace some of the most notable failed attempts to find El Dorado, starting with the expedition of Sir Walter Raleigh in the late 16th century. He travels to Raleigh's landing site in what is now Venezuela, where Raleigh and his men first encountered the various indigenous tribes of the region. Josh speaks with local historians and anthropologists to learn more about the customs and beliefs of these tribes, which were often based around the worship of gold.

From here, Josh heads deeper into the jungle in search of clues to the location of El Dorado. He meets with a remote tribe that still practices gold panning, hoping to learn more about the techniques and tools that might have been used by the people of El Dorado. Josh also seeks out an abandoned mine that was said to contain massive amounts of gold, though it was never fully excavated due to the danger of inhaling toxic fumes.

As Josh delves further into the history of El Dorado, he discovers that much of the myth was perpetuated by European explorers looking to justify their conquest and exploitation of the Americas. He speaks with experts who explain how the idea of El Dorado was used both to justify the enslavement of native peoples and to bolster the egos of the European monarchs who financed these expeditions.

Despite these revelations, Josh's search for El Dorado is not entirely fruitless. He uncovers evidence of a network of gold mines that were in operation in the Andes Mountains during the height of the Inca empire, suggesting that the people of South America had a much more sophisticated understanding of mining and metallurgy than previously believed. He also uncovers stories of other lost cities and hidden treasures that may be hiding in the jungle, fueling his desire to continue his search for the truth.

Overall, "The Search for El Dorado" is a fascinating look at the history and cultural significance of one of the most enduring myths of the new world. Despite the lack of concrete evidence regarding the location of El Dorado, Josh's journey sheds light on the people and cultures of South America, and the ways in which they were exploited by European colonizers. Whether you're a history buff or simply interested in a good adventure story, this episode is sure to captivate and inspire.