The Lost City of Monkey: A True Story

Chris Fisher (behind), the expedition’s chief archeologist, and the author explore the unnamed river flowing through the valley of T1 below the ruins.” Photo credit: Credit to Dave Yoder/ National Geographic Magazine

Theodore Morde traveling up to the Patuca River by motorized pitman, or dugout canoe, Mosquitia, Honduras, 1940.” Photo credit: no credit

Chris Fisher exploring the ruins using a Trimble GPS. This photograph was taken at the main central plaza of the lost city, surrounded by mounds and an earthen pyramid. The incredible thickness of the jungle obscured everything.” Photo credit: Douglas Preston

A fer-de-lance, one of the world’s deadliest snakes, entered the camp the first night and had to be killed. Its fangs were over an inch long. The head was tied to a tree in camp by an expedition leader to impress on everyone the high risk of snakes.” Photo credit: Douglas Preston

Sam Glassmire’s hand-drawn map showing the location of the “Lost City” he discovered on an expedition in 1960.” Photo credit: Bonita Brody Stewart

Doug Preston (Image: Mark Adams)