An Interview with Archeologist, Explorer, and TLS Parent Dr. Ed Barnhart hosted by Gary Gutierrez of The Lesson Studio.
Gary: Ed, thank you so much for joining us. We’re excited to feature you in our Community Spotlight Series. You’re not only a TLS parent, but also a world-renowned archeologist and explorer. How did you first get into archeology?
Ed: Honestly, I think it was always in me. Even as a kid, I was exploring the woods behind my house, dreaming about lost worlds. I didn’t know much about archeology back then, but in high school I started reading about ancient cities in South America. And yes, I’ll admit it — Indiana Jones had a huge influence on me. That sense of adventure definitely inspired me to pursue this path.
Gary: I think Indiana Jones inspired a lot of us. Once you had that spark, how did you actually get started in the field?
Ed: I signed up for a field school in Copán, Honduras while I was a student at the University of Colorado. My dad thought I was crazy since I’d never even left the country, but it was an incredible experience. I spent a month in a Maya city, met amazing professors, and came back determined to study under Linda Schele, the woman who broke the code of Maya hieroglyphics.
That led me to Texas, where opportunities opened up — including the discovery of a lost Maya city when I was just 25.
Gary: A lost city. That’s unbelievable. Can you tell us more about that discovery?
Ed: It still amazes me. I looked at topographic maps and thought like the Maya — where would they build? I saw mountains forming a triangle with rivers and valleys, and thought, “That’s perfect.” Two years later, after a lot of hiking and hacking through jungle, we found it. Over a thousand buildings, pyramids, a ball court, plazas, palaces. A full-blown city that had been hidden for centuries.
Gary: What are some projects you’re working on now?
Ed: Two field projects are at the top of my list. One is completing a new map of Easter Island, which I’m creating in collaboration with the indigenous community there. The other is an archaeoastronomy project in Southeast Asia, studying how ancient Khmer temples aligned with the stars. Beyond that, my big goal is to write a textbook called Before the Americas — something that gives high school students a real sense of the ancient history of this continent.
Too often, our history books start with the Pilgrims, but there’s so much more that came before.
Gary: Where can people find your work if they want to learn more?
Ed: I’ve started a YouTube channel called Archaeologist Ed Barnhart — I’ve posted about 20 videos so far. I also have a podcast called ArchaeoEd, which you can find on all the major platforms. And I’ve done over a hundred lectures with The Great Courses, including a new series on Olmec civilization.
Gary: That’s fantastic. We’ll share links so people can check those out. Shifting gears a little — what advice would you give to someone who’s interested in archeology, maybe even one of our students who dreams of exploring?
Ed: First, know that archeology isn’t about fame or fortune. If you want to be rich, this isn’t the path. But if you want a life full of adventure and discovery, it’s incredibly rewarding. For kids, there are summer field schools to get early experience. For adults, there are volunteer opportunities all over the world through groups like the Archaeological Institute of America and Earthwatch. You don’t need to change careers to participate — you can join a dig for a few weeks, contribute, and learn. It’s open to everyone.
Gary: That’s wonderful advice. And of course, part of how we know you is through your daughter Alice, who’s been a star student at The Lesson Studio. What has her experience been like here?
Ed: It’s been amazing. Alice came to TLS originally for voice lessons, but you quickly gave her opportunities to join a band, perform live, and really grow. There’s such a difference between singing in a room and actually being part of a group. The way you put kids on stage, in public venues, is incredible. Her confidence has grown so much, and we’re so grateful for the experiences she’s had.
Gary: That means so much. She’s a true talent, and we’re excited to see her performing this season. Before we wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to add?
Ed: Just that I believe archeology is about connection — about showing how similar we are as people across cultures, and music is part of that. Music is universal. We’ve even seen evidence of ancient “rock instruments” in petroglyph sites. Archeologists might have missed it, but musicians spotted it. That intersection of music and archeology is so powerful.
Gary: I love that. Thank you, Ed, for sharing your story with us. We’re grateful to have you and your family in the TLS community, and excited to follow your work.
Ed: Thank you, Gary. I appreciate the chance to share, and I’m looking forward to what’s ahead.
Want to Learn More or Connect with Ed?
You can explore Ed Barnhart’s work and follow along with his discoveries here:
🎥 YouTube: Archaeologist Ed Barnhart
🎙 Podcast: ArchaeoEd — available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other major platforms.
📚 Courses: The Great Courses lecture series, including his newest on Olmec civilization.
🌐 Website: mayaexploration.org — Maya Exploration Center, with educational resources and updates.
🗺 Ancient Explorations: ancientexploration.com — Ed’s private LLC offering annual public education tours, iPhone apps, and now home to his ArchaeoEd projects.
📅 Mayan Calendar, LLC: mayan-calendar.com — publisher of the annual Maya wall calendar with original photos and glyphs for modern dates, created and curated by Ed.