The Aztecs were Mesoamerica's mightiest empire.  But how did they get there?  Well, it all started in a place called Aztlan. 

Support the show

Support ArchaeoEd through Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/archaeoed

Mayan Calendar - see the 2026 Mayan Calendar at https://www.mayan-calendar.com

Bars and Dots, Maya date calculator software - https://www.barsanddots.com

Ed's day job is Director of Maya Exploration Center, a 501(c)3 non-profit
https://www.mayaexploration.org

Check out Ed's YouTube Channel, Archaeologist Ed Barnhart

https://www.youtube.com/@Ed_Barnhart

In the summer of 1999, Ed and crew were risking life and limb to map the western side of Palenque.  More snakes, more fantastic discoveries, and more crazy stories of life in Chiapas, Mexico.

Dr. Barnhart is the director of Maya Exploration Center, a 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to the study of ancient civilizations in the Americas and beyond.  MEC shares their knowledge with the general public through publications, public lectures, and educational travel programs. https://www.mayaexploration.org

Dr. Barnhart has four lecture series available through Great Courses – a total of 104, 30 minutes lectures on the ancient Americas.  You can view all the lectures on the Great Courses streaming platform, Great Courses Plus: 

https://www.thegreatcoursesplus.com/edwin-barnhart

 His newest Great Courses series on Olmec Civilization comes out in Spring of 2025.

 The ArchaeoEd Podcast is supported primarily through Patreon.  Consider supporting Ed’s independence as an archaeologist through:  https://www.patreon.com/archaeoEd

Maya Calendar Learning Resources

Dr. Barnhart has developed several tools to help people understand the Ancient Maya Calendar systems.  

 An annual wall calendar that shows both the Maya and Gregorian (Christian) dates for each day of the year.  The 2025 Mayan Calendar is available for purchase at: https://www.mayan-calendar.com

 Maya Calendar iPhone App by Edwin Barnhart.  It can calculate your Maya birthdate, giving you information about your personality and destiny according to modern Maya wisdom.  Find it on the Apple Appstore here:

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/maya-calendar/id305642777

 Bars and Dots is Maya calendar calculator program available at https://www.barsanddots.com . Created by Dr. Barnhart and software engineer Matt Neel, it’s the most sophisticated Maya calendar calculation tool ever created.  And it's FREE!

Untethered & Wanderwise: Female Travel Over 45

A travel podcast for women over 45 who want to explore this big beautiful world.

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Support the show

Support ArchaeoEd through Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/archaeoed


Ed's day job is Director of Maya Exploration Center, a 501(c)3 non-profit 
https://www.mayaexploration.org

Support the show

Support ArchaeoEd through Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/archaeoed

Mayan Calendar - see the 2026 Mayan Calendar at https://www.mayan-calendar.com

Bars and Dots, Maya date calculator software - https://www.barsanddots.com

Ed's day job is Director of Maya Exploration Center, a 501(c)3 non-profit
https://www.mayaexploration.org

Check out Ed's YouTube Channel, Archaeologist Ed Barnhart

https://www.youtube.com/@Ed_Barnhart

In May and June of 1999, Ed and his mapping crew were hard at work puzzling out western Palenque.  More deadly snakes, collapsed tombs, and 100's of ancient buildings were waiting for them in the jungle. Season 6 Episode 2, aired October 1, 2024.

 Evergreen Natural Pet
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Pawistive Cravings
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Dr. Barnhart is the director of Maya Exploration Center, a 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to the study of ancient civilizations in the Americas and beyond.  MEC shares their knowledge with the general public through publications, public lectures, and educational travel programs. https://www.mayaexploration.org

Dr. Barnhart has four lecture series available through Great Courses – a total of 104, 30 minutes lectures on the ancient Americas.  You can view all the lectures on the Great Courses streaming platform, Great Courses Plus: 

https://www.thegreatcoursesplus.com/edwin-barnhart

 His newest Great Courses series on Olmec Civilization comes out in Spring of 2025.

 The ArchaeoEd Podcast is supported primarily through Patreon.  Consider supporting Ed’s independence as an archaeologist through:  https://www.patreon.com/archaeoEd

Maya Calendar Learning Resources

Dr. Barnhart has developed several tools to help people understand the Ancient Maya Calendar systems.  

 An annual wall calendar that shows both the Maya and Gregorian (Christian) dates for each day of the year.  The 2025 Mayan Calendar is available for purchase at: https://www.mayan-calendar.com

 Maya Calendar iPhone App by Edwin Barnhart.  It can calculate your Maya birthdate, giving you information about your personality and destiny according to modern Maya wisdom.  Find it on the Apple Appstore here:

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/maya-calendar/id305642777

 Bars and Dots is Maya calendar calculator program available at https://www.barsanddots.com . Created by Dr. Barnhart and software engineer Matt Neel, it’s the most sophisticated Maya calendar calculation tool ever created.  And it's FREE!

Support the show

Support ArchaeoEd through Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/archaeoed

For a 2025 Mayan Calendar wall calendar, log on to https://www.mayan-calendar.com

Bars and Dots, Maya date calculator software - https://www.barsanddots.com

Ed's day job is Director of Maya Exploration Center, a 501(c)3 non-profit 
https://www.mayaexploration.org

Support the show

Support ArchaeoEd through Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/archaeoed

Mayan Calendar - see the 2026 Mayan Calendar at https://www.mayan-calendar.com

Bars and Dots, Maya date calculator software - https://www.barsanddots.com

Ed's day job is Director of Maya Exploration Center, a 501(c)3 non-profit
https://www.mayaexploration.org

Check out Ed's YouTube Channel, Archaeologist Ed Barnhart

https://www.youtube.com/@Ed_Barnhart

The year was 1999.  Ed and his crew started year two of the Palenque Mapping Project.  Ed recounts the story - snakes, pyramids, tombs, and a visit from the President of Mexico!  Season 6, Episode 1 - aired September 1, 2024.


Evergreen Natural Pet
A great choice for your pet's CBD supplement needs
Go to www.evergreennaturalpet.com for more information and use code "MAYA" to get 10% off of your order today!

Pawistive Cravings
Go to www.pawsitivecravings.com for more information and use code "MAYA" to get 10% off of your order today!

Dr. Barnhart is the director of Maya Exploration Center, a 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to the study of ancient civilizations in the Americas and beyond.  MEC shares their knowledge with the general public through publications, public lectures, and educational travel programs. https://www.mayaexploration.org

Dr. Barnhart has four lecture series available through Great Courses – a total of 104, 30 minutes lectures on the ancient Americas.  You can view all the lectures on the Great Courses streaming platform, Great Courses Plus: 

https://www.thegreatcoursesplus.com/edwin-barnhart

 Dr. Barnhart’s Great Courses are also available through Audible:

https://www.audible.com/search?searchNarrator=Edwin+Barnhart

 His newest Great Courses series on Olmec Civilization comes out in Spring of 2025.

The ArchaeoEd Podcast is about the civilizations of the ancient Americas.  It’s just Ed, explaining what he’s learned in over 30 years as an archaeologist, an explorer, and a seeker of esoteric knowledge. https://www.archaeoed.com

  The ArchaeoEd Podcast is supported primarily through Patreon.  Consider supporting Ed’s independence as an archaeologist through:  https://www.patreon.com/archaeoEd

Maya Calendar Learning Resources

Dr. Barnhart has developed several tools to help people understand the Ancient Maya Calendar systems.  

An annual wall calendar that shows both the Maya and Gregorian (Christian) dates for each day of the year.  The 2025 Mayan Calendar is available for purchase at: https://www.mayan-calendar.com

Maya Calendar iPhone App by Edwin Barnhart.  It can calculate your Maya birthdate, giving you information about your personality and destiny according to modern Maya wisdom.  Find it on the Apple Appstore here:

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/maya-calendar/id305642777

Bars and Dots is Maya calendar calculator program available at https://www.barsanddots.com . Created by Dr. Barnhart and software engineer Matt Neel, it’s the most sophisticated Maya calendar calculation tool ever created.  And it's FREE!

Support the show

Support ArchaeoEd through Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/archaeoed

Mayan Calendar - see the 2026 Mayan Calendar at https://www.mayan-calendar.com

Bars and Dots, Maya date calculator software - https://www.barsanddots.com

Ed's day job is Director of Maya Exploration Center, a 501(c)3 non-profit
https://www.mayaexploration.org

Check out Ed's YouTube Channel, Archaeologist Ed Barnhart

https://www.youtube.com/@Ed_Barnhart

The ancient city of Tiwanaku ruled the Southern Andes for 1000 years.  From the Pacific Ocean to the Amazon, their empire spread far and wide.   12,500 ft asl on the shores of Lake Titicaca, the city itself boasts the largest megaliths ever created in South America.

Support the show

Support ArchaeoEd through Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/archaeoed

Mayan Calendar - see the 2026 Mayan Calendar at https://www.mayan-calendar.com

Bars and Dots, Maya date calculator software - https://www.barsanddots.com

Ed's day job is Director of Maya Exploration Center, a 501(c)3 non-profit
https://www.mayaexploration.org

Check out Ed's YouTube Channel, Archaeologist Ed Barnhart

https://www.youtube.com/@Ed_Barnhart

In 1997, Ed was part of the excavations that discovered the tomb of Copan's first ruler - Yax K'uk' Mo'.  Join him as he tells the story in his usual humorous style.

Support the show

Support ArchaeoEd through Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/archaeoed

Mayan Calendar - see the 2026 Mayan Calendar at https://www.mayan-calendar.com

Bars and Dots, Maya date calculator software - https://www.barsanddots.com

Ed's day job is Director of Maya Exploration Center, a 501(c)3 non-profit
https://www.mayaexploration.org

Check out Ed's YouTube Channel, Archaeologist Ed Barnhart

https://www.youtube.com/@Ed_Barnhart

There were multiple militaristic civilizations in the ancient Americas.  In this episode, Ed talks about their rise to power and weapons of choice.  

Support the show

Support ArchaeoEd through Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/archaeoed

Mayan Calendar - see the 2026 Mayan Calendar at https://www.mayan-calendar.com

Bars and Dots, Maya date calculator software - https://www.barsanddots.com

Ed's day job is Director of Maya Exploration Center, a 501(c)3 non-profit
https://www.mayaexploration.org

Check out Ed's YouTube Channel, Archaeologist Ed Barnhart

https://www.youtube.com/@Ed_Barnhart

Linda Schele was the most influential Mayanist of her time - some would say of all time.  Ed had the good fortune to be counted among her graduate students.  In this episode, he'll tell you some stories from his time with her. 

Support the show

Support ArchaeoEd through Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/archaeoed

Mayan Calendar - see the 2026 Mayan Calendar at https://www.mayan-calendar.com

Bars and Dots, Maya date calculator software - https://www.barsanddots.com

Ed's day job is Director of Maya Exploration Center, a 501(c)3 non-profit
https://www.mayaexploration.org

Check out Ed's YouTube Channel, Archaeologist Ed Barnhart

https://www.youtube.com/@Ed_Barnhart

All over the ancient Americas, from Chile to Alaska, the Milky Way was seen as the path to the otherworld.  Join Ed as he explains his evidence for that assertion.   

Support the show

Support ArchaeoEd through Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/archaeoed

Mayan Calendar - see the 2026 Mayan Calendar at https://www.mayan-calendar.com

Bars and Dots, Maya date calculator software - https://www.barsanddots.com

Ed's day job is Director of Maya Exploration Center, a 501(c)3 non-profit
https://www.mayaexploration.org

Check out Ed's YouTube Channel, Archaeologist Ed Barnhart

https://www.youtube.com/@Ed_Barnhart

Teotihuacan was the most important city in all of ancient Mesoamerican history.  Despite almost 200 years of archaeology there, there's a whole lot we don't understand.  Join Ed for a discussion of what we know - and still don't know - about Teotihuacan.

Support the show

Support ArchaeoEd through Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/archaeoed

Mayan Calendar - see the 2026 Mayan Calendar at https://www.mayan-calendar.com

Bars and Dots, Maya date calculator software - https://www.barsanddots.com

Ed's day job is Director of Maya Exploration Center, a 501(c)3 non-profit
https://www.mayaexploration.org

Check out Ed's YouTube Channel, Archaeologist Ed Barnhart

https://www.youtube.com/@Ed_Barnhart