Scientists Almost Paid with Their Lives While Exploring the “Lost City of the Monkey God” Hidden Deep in the Jungle.
An international team of explorers and archaeologists faced a deadly disease as they set foot in a dense jungle covering nearly 52,000 km2 between Honduras and Nicaragua in search of the “Lost City of the Monkey God”, also known as the “White City”, CBS reported on January 8. (Image: Grand Central Publishing).
According to legend, in the 16th century, the residents abandoned the city believing it was cursed. In reality, their city was invaded by Europeans, leading to disease and slavery. After hundreds of years, explorers hoped to uncover the ruins of the former city and the artifacts left behind by its fleeing inhabitants. Due to the city’s location deep in the jungle, the search required immense perseverance. It is also one of the last places on Earth yet to be explored by scientists. (Image: National Geographic).
Author Douglas Preston, explorer Steve Elkins, and documentary producer Bill Benenson used advanced technology to locate the mysterious city. They operated a laser imaging device mounted on an old Cessna Skymaster aircraft to scan hundreds of kilometers of jungle over several days, penetrating the dense canopy to map the ground below. The information was then converted into a 3D model on a computer, helping researchers identify rectangular structures. (Image: Smithsonian Institute).
However, to pinpoint the exact location of the city, the research team had to trek through the jungle after three years of planning. Not only did they have to navigate dense vegetation and rugged terrain, but they also faced the risk of disease, injury, or even death from wildlife. (Image: CBS News).
A venomous snake slithered into their camp at midnight. Andrew Wood, a former soldier and jungle combat expert, swiftly killed the creature. “He stabbed it, but the snake’s body exploded at that moment, spraying venom everywhere,” Elkins recalled.
The research team found the city, but thick foliage obstructed their view of the foundation of a massive pyramid. They discovered carvings that helped confirm this was the city of the Monkey God. “Someone shouted that there were strange stones over here. We turned around, and the first thing I saw was the head of a jaguar with bared fangs carved on a stone protruding from the ground,” Elkins reminisced. (Image: National Geographic).
After the research team left the jungle, they discovered that some members had contracted a deadly disease caused by Leishmaniasis, a parasite transmitted through sandflies. “The parasite invades the mucous membranes of the nose and mouth and consumes them. Your nose and lips will fall off. Your entire face will become a deep, painful pit,” Preston explained. (Image: CBS).
Elkins and Benenson did not get sick, but about half of the team required treatment for the disease. Side effects from the anti-parasitic medication included vomiting, cramps, and neurological effects. (Image: CBS).
The threat from the disease, along with dangers associated with the jungle, prevents the research team from returning to the ruins any time soon. (Image: National Geographic).
