First published 1978
Frederick Catherwood adjusts his surveying equipment as he and explorer John Lloyd Stephens push deeper into the Central American jungle. The two men have traveled far from civilization, following rumors of ancient stone cities hidden beneath centuries of vegetation. When they finally break through the canopy and discover towering pyramids and elaborate temples, they realize they have found the remains of an entire lost civilization. The Mayan ruins stretch before them, magnificent and mysterious. Catherwood sketches frantically while Stephens takes notes, both men driven by the magnitude of their find. As they document temple after temple, they must navigate not only the physical dangers of the wilderness but also the weight of being the first outsiders to witness these forgotten monuments. Their partnership deepens as they work to preserve what they have discovered, knowing that their documentation may be the only way these ancient wonders will survive for future generations.
Genres: historical-fiction, 20th-century, adventure, archaeology, 19th-century
Vibes: atmospheric, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: discovery, found-family
Setting: Central America, Mayan Ruins
Period: 19th Century
242 pages · Hardcover · Ty Crowell Co