The story revolves around G.E. Kincaid, an explorer who claimed to have discovered a massive underground city within the Grand Canyon in 1908. The city, which Kincaid called the "Citadel," was allegedly filled with ancient artifacts, including Egyptian hieroglyphics, and was said to have been built by an advanced civilization. Kincaid's findings were met with skepticism, and the Smithsonian Institution denied any involvement in the discovery.
Years later, another team of explorers, led by Jerry and Kathy Wills, attempted to find the Citadel but were met with resistance from the authorities, who claimed that the area was off-limits due to safety concerns. Despite this, the Wills team claimed to have found evidence of the Citadel's existence, including artifacts and a possible entrance to the underground city.
The story raises questions about the Smithsonian's potential involvement in covering up the discovery and the possible existence of an advanced civilization in North America. The narrator also touches on the theme of censorship and the suppression of knowledge, suggesting that the government and other institutions may be hiding secrets about the past.
The story is based on two front-page articles from the Phoenix Gazette published in 1909, which described Kincaid's discovery. However, mainstream researchers have since deemed these articles to be a hoax. Despite this, the narrator suggests that there may be some truth to the story and that the Smithsonian may be covering up the discovery.
The episode also explores the idea of an advanced civilization existing in North America, citing examples of ancient mounds and artifacts that suggest a more complex culture than previously thought. The narrator also touches on the theme of the "lost city" and the idea that there may be hidden knowledge and secrets that are being suppressed by the government and other institutions.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. In 1908, President Teddy Roosevelt wanted to declare the Grand Canyon off limits to all timber and mining operations.
2. It took 11 years for Congress to designate the Grand Canyon a national park.
3. Explorer G.E. Kincaid took a boat down the Colorado River and through the Grand Canyon in 1908.
4. The Grand Canyon is rich in minerals like gold, silver, and copper.
5. Kincaid saw stains in the sediment formation about 2,000 feet up and tied off his boat to investigate.
6. He found steps carved in sandstone that wound their way up to a high shelf on the side of the canyon.
7. Kincaid followed the steps and found a cavern entrance that was clearly man-made.
8. Inside the cavern, he saw writing on the walls that was not English or Native American, but Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics.
9. Kincaid estimated that as many as 50,000 people could have lived in the underground complex.
10. He found granaries with shelves of glazed pottery, cooking areas, and a huge dining hall.
11. The rooms were full of ancient artifacts, including swords and shields made of copper, bronze, and a gray metal that scientists couldn't identify.
12. Kincaid found a large room that he described as an area for metal work, with tools of all descriptions made of copper.
13. He also found a crypt with shelf upon shelf and row upon row of mummies, dozens of them.
14. Kincaid sent a few artifacts to the Smithsonian along with his notes, and requested financial and logistical support to further explore the complex.
15. The Smithsonian agreed, and a team of scientists, researchers, and laborers arrived to excavate and explore the ancient underground city.
16. The team found that the cave system layout was symmetrical and deliberate, with tunnels leading to a central chamber.
17. In the chamber, they found a large statue of a figure that looked like Buddha.
18. The team also found stone tablets with hieroglyphics, including pictures of animals and gods.
19. The team was unable to determine who built the Citadel or when it was built.
20. The Smithsonian has been accused of covering up the discovery of the Citadel and suppressing information about it.
21. The Grand Canyon is home to many man-made caves, but only about 30 have been mapped and many of those have been sealed.
22. The government has designated the area around the cave as off-limits, citing safety concerns.
23. Despite the danger, some explorers have attempted to find the lost city, but have been met with resistance from the government.
24. The Hopi tribe has a legend about the ant people, who are said to have built the underground city.
25. The legend says that the ant people were humanoid creatures that were smaller than humans, with pale skin and large eyes.
26. The Hopi tribe also has a legend about the have mussoos, who are said to have lived in a vast underground city and traded with far-away people.
27. The have mussoos are described as humanoid in shape, with golden skin and large eyes, and are said to have possessed advanced technology.
28. The legend says that the have mussoos flew silver canoes in the sky and could maneuver like an eagle.
29. Many ancient cultures have a flood myth, which describes a global disaster that melted the ice caps and caused sea levels to rise.
30. The myths often talk about how after the waters receded, a god-like people came down from the sky and gave humans the gift of civilization.
31. The Smithsonian has been accused of suppressing archaeological discoveries and hiding evidence of advanced civilizations in North America.
32. The government has been accused of covering up the discovery of giant skeletons and other evidence of advanced civilizations.
33. The saying "skeletons in your closet" means having secrets that you don't want revealed, and in the case of the Smithsonian, it could be taken literally.
34. The government literally has evidence of an advanced race being in North America long before the native tribes arrived, but they don't want it revealed.
35. Mainstream science says this is nonsense, but the Hopi and other Grand Canyon tribes believe it.
36. The Hopi say that when the first people emerged from the Grand Canyon, they sent a message to the temple of son asking for a blessing of peace.
37. The messenger hasn't returned, but even today, in Hopi villages, tribal elders can be seen on rooftops gazing toward the setting sun, waiting for the messenger to come home.
38. When the messenger returns, the ancient land will be returned to the first people.