UnderGround

Michael Arbuthnot
  • 5.0 (10)
  • History
  • Updated Semimonthly

Hosted by archaeologist Michael Arbuthnot, UnderGround features independently minded archaeologists, anthropologists, historians, and science renegades on controversial topics and themes such as early complex cultures, unexpected finds, ancient migrations, diffusion, and ancient technology.

  1. Aug 21

    Ancient Asia In America: Dr. Alice Kehoe

    Did ancient China and other Old World civilizations reach America before Columbus? Pioneering archaeologist and anthropologist Alice Beck Kehoe, Ph.D., examines the controversial evidence for pre-Columbian culture contact, trans-Pacific voyages, and connections between the ancient Old World and New World.Kehoe reflects on her boundary-breaking career, including decades of work with Indigenous communities and her role as an early voice in Feminist Archaeology. She explains how academic gatekeeping and archaeology’s “fortress mentality” can determine which theories are seriously investigated—and why researchers who challenge accepted history often face professional resistance.The conversation explores ancient seafaring, possible contact between Asia and Mesoamerica, and theories involving the Olmec and Maya. Kehoe also considers the Newport Tower, Kensington Runestone, wheeled toys found in Mesoamerica, Old World animal imagery, and other archaeological mysteries that have fueled debate over who may have reached America before Columbus.The episode also examines Viking and Norse exploration, ancient China, cultural diffusion, and whether ideas and technologies could have traveled across the oceans in both directions. Rather than relying on one artifact as definitive proof, Kehoe argues that archaeology should remain open to cumulative evidence and the possibility of a more interconnected ancient world.Alice Beck Kehoe is the author of Traveling Prehistoric Seas: Critical Thinking on Ancient Transoceanic Voyages.Subscribe to UnderGround for more evidence-based archaeology and ancient mysteries that challenge conventional narratives!#Archaeology #BeforeColumbus #PreColumbian #AncientChina #Mesoamerica #AncientHistory

  2. Jun 23

    Lost City of the Monkey God: Steve Elkins

    Explorer, filmmaker, and adventurer Steve Elkins joins UnderGround to tell the extraordinary story behind the discovery of the legendary Lost City of the Monkey God deep within the remote jungles of Honduras.In this episode, Elkins discusses the legend of the White City (AKA, the Lost City of the Monkey God), the pioneering use of LiDAR technology to reveal hidden archaeological sites beneath dense rainforest canopy, the dangers of exploring the Mosquito Coast, encounters with deadly diseases and wildlife, and the archaeological discoveries that transformed our understanding of ancient civilizations in Central America.The conversation explores lost cities, jungle exploration, ancient Honduras, the Lost City of the Monkey God, LiDAR archaeology, unexplored ruins, the Explorers Club, prehistoric migrations, bone tools, trans-Pacific contact theories, scientific discovery, and the enduring human quest to uncover forgotten worlds.#lostcity #monkeygod #honduras #archaeology #exploration #lidar #whitecity #ancientcivilizations #discovery

  3. Jun 13

    Unraveling Monte Verde: Dr. Todd Surovell

    Archaeologist Todd Surovell, Ph.D., has dropped a bomb on the American archaeological establishment, arguing that Monte Verde in Chile may not be pre-Clovis after all and that the long-debated Clovis First model deserves a fresh look. Why do fully developed cultures appear so early in South America? Did the first Americans arrive earlier than Clovis or have archaeologists misinterpreted some of the most influential evidence ever discovered? In this episode of UnderGround, Dr. Surovell joins Michael Arbuthnot to discuss the peopling of the Americas, Clovis culture, Monte Verde, Paleoindian archaeology, archaeological gatekeeping, and the evidence behind one of archaeology's most contentious debates. Dr. Surovell explains why he has revisited Monte Verde, examines the challenges of dating ancient sites, and explores competing models for the colonization of the New World, paradigm shifts in science, and the future of Paleoamerican research. #archaeology #podcast #history #historydocumentary #historypodcast #iceage

  4. Apr 21

    Titanic's Fatal Flaw: Parks Stephenson

    After five expeditions to the wreck of the RMS Titanic, maritime historian and naval expert Parks Stephenson presents a compelling and controversial perspective on how the ship truly met its end in the North Atlantic. Drawing on firsthand observations from the wreck site and decades of research into the legendary White Star ocean liner, Stephenson sheds new light on Titanic's structural flaws and reexamines the proceeding redesign and hull modifications. The discussion also covers the work of filmmaker James Cameron, who brought renewed global attention to the tragedy and its enduring legacy. Was it simply an iceberg collision, or did deeper structural failures and design decisions ultimately seal the ship’s fate on the ocean floor? This conversation explores Titanic history, wreck analysis, deep ocean expeditions, maritime engineering, ship design, iceberg collision theory, and the final hours of the ill fated voyage. #Titanic #RMSTitanic #TitanicSinking #TitanicDisaster #History #Shipwreck #Archaeology #DeepSeaExploration #HistoryDocumentary #HistoryPodcast

  5. Mar 18

    Killing Kennewick Man: Dr. James Chatters

    Archaeologist and paleontologist James Chatters discusses the discovery of Kennewick Man -- also known as the Ancient One -- one of the most famous and controversial ancient human skeletons ever found in North America. Discovered along the Columbia River near Kennewick, Washington, the 9,000-year-old remains sparked intense debate about the earliest peoples of the Americas, Paleoindian archaeology, and the scientific study of ancient human remains. In this episode, Dr. Chatters explains how Kennewick Man reshaped discussions about early human migration, ancient DNA research, skeletal morphology, and the peopling of the Americas. The conversation explores Ice Age archaeology, the origins of the first Americans, and what discoveries like Kennewick Man reveal about prehistoric North America and humanity’s deep past. #KennewickMan #AncientAmericans #Archaeology #PeoplingOfTheAmericas #AncientHistory #FirstAmericans

  6. Feb 23

    South America Before Clovis: Dr. Astolfo Araujo

    Archaeologist Dr. Astolfo Araujo, leading expert in South American Paleoindian archaeology, describes the baffling prehistory of ancient Brazil and presents evidence humans roamed South America more than 18,000 years ago. Focusing on ancient Brazil and eastern South America, Dr. Araujo examines Paleoindian sites, Pleistocene archaeology, early hunter-gatherers, pre-Clovis lithic technology, geoarchaeology, and early human migration. This episode explores South American prehistory, stone tools, settlement patterns, and the debate over when the first humans reached the New World. #ArchaeologyPodcast #FirstAmericans #IceAge #AncientCivilizations #LostHistory #HumanOrigins #AncientAmerica #PreClovis #BeforeClovis #IceAgeHumans #AncientMigration #DeepHistory #ArchaeologyDiscovery #AncientMysteries #SouthAmericaHistory Intro and outro music by Ross Bugden ‪@RossBugden‬

  7. Jan 2

    America's Ancient Bonebreakers: Dr. Steven Holen

    What is the earliest archaeological evidence of people in North America — and how does the discovery of an ancient bone bed reshape our understanding of when humans first arrived? Archaeologist Dr. Steve Holen lays out the case for the 130,000-year-old Cerruti Mastodon site and how it fits into the emerging American Paleolithic. #archaeology #ancienthistory #ancientmystery #ancientamerica #losthistory #prehistoric #paleolithic Intro and outro music by Ross Bugden ‪@RossBugden‬

  8. 11/15/2025

    Finding Amelia Earhart: Dr. Rick Pettigrew

    Archaeologist and filmmaker Dr. Rick Pettigrew explores one of aviation’s greatest mysteries: the disappearance of famed pilot Amelia Earhart and her navigator Fred Noonan. Could Earhart's missing Lockheed Electra 10E finally have been found? Using cutting-edge satellite imagery, Dr. Pettigrew’s bold plan for a new expedition to Nikumaroro Island in the South Pacific aims to uncover the truth once and for all.Intro and outro music by Ross Bugden, YouTube:‪ @RossBugden‬#archaeology #history #losthistory #mystery #aviationhistory #aviationnews #ameliaearhart #missing #lockeedelctra10E #exploretheunknown #pilotlife #womeninaviation

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

Hosted by archaeologist Michael Arbuthnot, UnderGround features independently minded archaeologists, anthropologists, historians, and science renegades on controversial topics and themes such as early complex cultures, unexpected finds, ancient migrations, diffusion, and ancient technology.

Information

  • Creator
    Michael Arbuthnot
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Michael Arbuthnot
  • Show Website
    UnderGround

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