Dan Snow Explores Ancient Maya Secrets in Belize for Major History Hit Documentary and Podcast | News
History Hit, the podcast, SVOD and content platform network founded by Dan Snow, is heading deep into the jungles of Belize to uncover the story of one of the most significant Maya archaeological discoveries in decades and explore the extraordinary ancient sites that make Belize one of the world’s most fascinating archaeological destinations.
In July 2025, archaeologists working at Caracol announced the discovery of the burial chamber of one of the Maya civilisation’s greatest rulers, Te K’ab Chaak, the founder of the Caracol dynasty and the first ‘named person’ royal tomb uncovered at the site in more than 40 years. Inside they found remarkable treasures including jadeite ornaments, ritual pottery and a mosaic death mask, offering fresh insights into the power, sophistication and beliefs of the Classic Maya world.
Now, in partnership with Belize Tourism Board, Dan Snow and a History Hit production crew have travelled across Belize to explore the country’s rich Maya heritage. The team visited the ancient city of Lamanai and its iconic Mask Temple, ventured into remote cave systems once used for Maya rituals, and met with the archaeologists behind the landmark Caracol discovery to understand what this extraordinary find reveals about Maya civilisation.
The trip has formed the basis of a new History Hit network collection including:
One premium SVOD documentary – ‘Secrets of the Maya’ (working title). Release date 25th June 2026
Two YouTube films – ‘We Explored Abandoned Ancient Megacity’ (Tour of Caracol) & ‘Life as an Ancient Maya’ (working title). Release in July TBC.
A two-part narrative podcast mini-series – ‘The Rise of the Maya’ and ‘The Fall of the Maya’ on Dan Snow’s History Hit. Release Dates – 3rd & 6th August
Social-first content across History Hit channels throughout June – August
While millions of travellers flock to the famous Maya sites of Mexico and Guatemala, Belize remains one of Central America’s best-kept secrets, home to vast jungle-covered sites, sacred caves, ancient temples and living Maya traditions that remain largely unexplored by international audiences.
“People think they need to go to Mexico to experience the Maya world, but Belize is every bit as extraordinary and arguably even more adventurous,” said Dan Snow. “You travel down crocodile-inhabited rivers to reach hidden cities emerging from the jungle canopy, explore caves filled with evidence of ancient rituals and meet communities where Maya culture still thrives today. The recent discovery at Caracol is hugely exciting. Speaking to the archaeologists behind it offered a fascinating glimpse into how discoveries like this continue to reshape our understanding of the ancient Maya.”
Across the series, Dan traces the rise and fall of Maya civilisation, exploring its sophisticated cities, belief systems, environmental ingenuity and the unanswered questions surrounding both the collapse of the Classic Maya world and the later impact of Spanish conquest.
The productions will also spotlight Belize itself as a vibrant cultural crossroads shaped by indigenous civilisations, colonialism, migration and settlement, while showcasing the country’s growing focus on eco-tourism, conservation and archaeological preservation.
Key moments in the collection include:
Travelling by boat through crocodile-inhabited jungle waterways to the ancient city of Lamanai and its iconic Mask Temple
Meeting the archaeologists behind the internationally reported 2025 discovery of the royal tomb at Caracol
Joining local players for a game of the ancient Maya ball game Pok-Ta-Pok
Trekking through remote cave systems and discovering human remains and ritual artefacts linked to Maya ceremonies
Staying with a local Maya family to explore how Maya traditions continue today
The project also aligns with wider tourism and development initiatives in Belize, including the promotion of new Air Canada routes into the country and ongoing investment in eco-tourism and archaeological programmes designed to support sustainable growth while preserving Belize’s extraordinary historical heritage.
