Steve Elkins facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Steve Elkins
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Steve Elkins in Honduras, 2012
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| Born | March 27, 1951 |
| Occupation | Cinematographer/Explorer |
| Known for | LIDAR and Lost City project in Mosquitia |
Steve Elkins (born March 27, 1951) is an American filmmaker and explorer. He is famous for using special technology to find ancient ruins hidden deep in the jungle. His most well-known discovery is a legendary lost city in Honduras.
Contents
Early Adventures and Filmmaking
Steve Elkins started his career helping people learn about nature and the environment. He also worked as a researcher, studying how Earth's climate changed long ago. While in college, he even found and explored an ancient rock shelter!
In 1979, Steve moved to California. He soon decided to follow his passion for filmmaking. For over 30 years, he worked in TV and film. He won many awards for his work, including an Emmy Award in 1992. His love for science helped him film exciting programs all over the world.
In 1994, Steve visited the Mosquitia region of Honduras. He heard amazing stories about a lost city hidden in the jungle. This made him want to find out if these legends were true. This personal quest led him on a journey that lasted more than 23 years! Steve is also a member of the famous Explorers Club.
Discovering the Lost City
Using LIDAR Technology
Steve learned about a new technology called lidar. Lidar uses lasers from an airplane to create detailed maps of the ground, even through thick jungle trees. It's like having X-ray vision for the forest!
In 2012, Steve teamed up with Bill Benenson. They created a company to explore the Mosquitia jungle using lidar. They also wanted to make a documentary about their adventure. Their lidar scans found two very important ancient sites that no one knew about before. These sites were exactly where the lost city was rumored to be!
Their discovery was so important that Foreign Policy Magazine named Steve and Bill "Leading Global Thinkers." Their project was also featured in The New Yorker magazine.
Ground Expeditions and Discoveries
In 2015, Steve led a team of scientists on a trip into the jungle. Their goal was to explore the sites found by lidar. This team included experts in many fields, like archaeology and biology. The expedition made headlines around the world!
National Geographic magazine wrote an article about it called "Lure of the Lost City." There was also a TV show on National Geographic Explorer called "Legend of the Monkey God."
The government of Honduras worked with Steve on these missions. The project also helped show how much illegal deforestation (cutting down trees) was happening in the area. The President of Honduras even visited the site with Steve.
Author Douglas Preston joined the 2015 trip and wrote a book about the project called The Lost City of the Monkey God: A True Story. A children's book, Secrets of the Lost City by Sandra Markle, also tells the story of the expedition.
In 2021, Steve Elkins received a special award from The Explorers Club for his amazing work with the Lost City.
See also
- La Ciudad Blanca
