Ep 13. Mystery of the Anasazi

Digging for the Truth season 1 episode 13, titled "Mystery of the Anasazi," follows host Josh Bernstein as he travels to the American Southwest to explore the ancient civilization of the Anasazi. This episode takes viewers deep into the heart of the mesa country, where the Anasazi people built their homes and left behind clues to their culture and society.

The Anasazi, also known as the "Ancient Ones," were a prehistoric Native American tribe that lived in the Four Corners region of the United States from around AD 1 to 1300. They are known for their intricate masonry and cliff dwellings, which are still visible today. However, their sudden disappearance from the region has puzzled historians and archaeologists for centuries.

In this episode, Bernstein sets out to uncover the truth behind the Anasazi's disappearance and unravel the mysteries of their religion, culture, and society. He begins by visiting the Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado, where the Anasazi built some of their most famous cliff dwellings. Here, Bernstein speaks with park rangers and archaeologists to learn about the Anasazi's daily life, their beliefs, and their social structure.

Next, Bernstein heads to Chaco Canyon, New Mexico, the site of some of the largest Anasazi ruins in the Southwest. Here, he explores the famous Great Kiva, a circular pit house used for religious rituals. Bernstein speaks with archaeologists who have spent their careers studying the Anasazi and trying to unravel the mysteries of their civilization.

As Bernstein continues his journey, he encounters a number of intriguing artifacts and structures that shed light on the Anasazi's culture and beliefs. He visits a rock art site where the Anasazi left behind petroglyphs, some of which are still visible after hundreds of years. He also investigates the Kiva of the Long House, a massive structure that may have been used for astronomical observations.

Throughout the episode, Bernstein pieces together the puzzle of the Anasazi's disappearance. He examines the possibility that they were forced to leave the region due to a severe drought, as well as other theories that suggest they were absorbed into other Native American tribes or died off due to disease.

In the end, viewers are left with a greater understanding of this fascinating civilization and the impact they had on the Southwest. Through Bernstein's travels and interviews with experts, it becomes clear that the Anasazi were a complex society with a rich cultural heritage that has endured to this day.