Not only were the islands amazing, but it was really fun to learn about the mythical little people of Hawaii. I had never heard of them before and I've been to Hawaii at least a half dozen times growing up with my father as a pilot for Northwest Airlines. It was a great experience to film an episode with my family included and what better place to do it?
For me, the most memorable part of shooting this episode was spending time on the sacred island of Kahoolawe with Native Islanders who educated us on the sacredness of it to their people. Some have already written asking why we didn't show the actual Navigator's Chair or play a song on the sacred stone. While she demonstrated the sounds to us (and they were amazing), at the request of the Natives we did not air those scenes. They consider this place very sacred, going back thousands of years. It was an honor to even have been allowed there. How tragic that our government used it as a bombing target and land assault training area for over half a century.
It's still unclear exactly who the Menehune people of Hawaii actually were. There is no question they played an important role in Hawaiian history and lore. Regardless, the Menehune enabled us all to learn more about them, Native Hawaiian culture, and to see first-hand that incredible geological wonder of cross-cutting basalt dikes in the form of the giant "X."
The Committee Films crew arrive at the Navigator's Chair on Kahoolawe.
The Committee Films crew on the way to shoot a scene at the Navigator's Chair on Kahoolawe.
Scott and Son Grant share a laugh after riding a wave on Maui.
Jim Morgan ponders his mortality with a skeleton at the Uof Hawaii.
Scott, the show is great but a lot of people are starting to get sick of the "acting". I hope you guys get renewed for a third season.
ReplyDeleteKen,
ReplyDeleteSince I am not an actor, should I take your comment as a compliment? Not really sure what you mean, but I suggest you focus on the parts of the show you enjoy.
Take no offence Scott you're show is still groundbreaking and you're doing a great job. It just seems to be the same criticism on the shows facebook page and other social media. Harry Hubbard and Alan Butler are clearly not actors and it reflects in the final product of the show. You're Hawaiin "vacation" and stumbling onto the lost tribe was clearly staged. Between the hawain episode and the Denver airport the show has slipped a little from last year. The great lakes copper heist was probably the best hour of television I've ever seen yet the mainstream media wont talk about all this stuff. I do understand that with any kind of television production you do have to have a little acting to keep the audience from falling asleep. It was also good to see Russell Burrows portrayed in the proper light for once. Keep up the good work Scott.
ReplyDeleteKen,
ReplyDeleteI'm not an actor either as is pretty obvious. Harry and Alan were both relevant and certainly in Alan's case, a very credible expert. The Hawaii episode gave us a chance to investigate a real legend that allowed us to learn more about Hawaiian Native culture. That episode had really good ratings even going up against football playoffs so it resonated with a lot of people.
I agree that controversial pre-Columbian artifacts and sites are my favorite, but the other topics we're looking are also interesting. You are also right about us trying to balance a solid scientific investigation with entertainment. I'm thrilled to be able as much of the taboo history out to the world; it's time it came out. For me, the tradeoff is more than worth it.
A little acting seems ok to me as long as it doesn't take away from the subject matter. Hell, my favorite parts were the reenactments in your first documentary "Holly Grail in America". Even if Unearthed wasn't about getting to the bottom of anything and just about making people aware of the artifacts and places in question...I would still watch. The main thing is boosting awareness about these American mysteries so that the average person can do their own research. That's half the fun...hearing about it, tracking it down, researching it and seeing it for yourself, or at least for me, anyway.
ReplyDeleteYou are someone who gets it Josh. We are making television and that involves entertainment. However, our show is the first to discuss these "taboo" subjects to this level of detail on a mainstream network. Is it as far as I'd like to go? No, but I'm thrilled to get the information out to as many people as we do.
ReplyDeleteThat we have such vocal critics is a compliment. If they truly thought it was all crap, they wouldn't complain would they?
By that logic the Nazis were doing something right weren't they?
DeleteI wouldn't use my name either if I uttered such nonsense. If you're going to speak up, have the fortitude to identify yourself.
DeleteBad logic is bad logic Mr Wolter. Vindication by the amount of critics you have is a sure sign of denialism. What do you make of David Ickes theory that all world leaders are reptiles in disguise?
DeleteYou have no basis for you "logic" statement which something I know a little bit about since it is the foundation of forensic work. On the contrary, the criticism you refer to is nothing more collective complaining about realities they don't believe in. Criticism without a factual basis does not constitute evidence and therefor refutes nothing.
DeleteOnce again, if you have a serious question I'm happy to answer it.
There will always be narrow minded academics that make it their lifes work to try to discredit anything outside the mainstream view. This blog is a great idea Scott, I'm sorry to say that the official H2 online page and even the official facebook page, seems to get bumped down in google search results because of Jason Colavito's hate-blog. Hopefully, people see your pages and take notice. Does the show have any plans to visit Cahokia?
ReplyDeleteWell, if he does, you can bet he's going to "unearth" that the mounds were built by lily white Viking explorers. Scott Wolter is completely unaware of how racist he is, as most white Americans are. No clue. And even if it's a minor flaw on his part, it's much more serious when white supremacists use his fractured logic as fuel for their hatred. Jason Colavito is just pointing out something that is air apparent to non-european Americans. Know your place- I am Native and you are considered colonizers to us, no matter how many rune stones you dig up to legitimize your presence here. Don't even bother bringing up Kenewick man. That too, is flimsy argument for genocide and the evil situation we endure today.
DeleteMr. Anonymous,
DeleteIs there a reason you can't provide a name or are you afraid to after posting these silly comments? Racist? Have you been watching the show? If so, I'm sure you were disappointed about what we learned about Cahokia. Few people are more aware of Native sensibilities than me. I have many close friends in several tribes across this continent who support my research because as they've said to me many times, "We just want to know the truth." Isn't that what you want too?
I use the term "genocide" in my lectures and my new book to describe what our “Christian” nation did to the people who were already here. This point is obvious and if you were paying attention to the shows or read this blog you would probably have chosen a different way to express yourself.
I think you'll learn more about my views through a serious and respectful discussion of the facts (which include both Norse and Templar runic inscriptions) by participating on this blog as opposed to that other non-serious blog site.
BTW: buckle up for Kennewick Man because he's coming!
Your shows are "respectful" dialogue enough, undoing any lecture or book. Welcome to pop culture and the attention span of most of your fans, and I am obviously not one of them. My name is Christian Atkinson, Sicangu Lakota, Rosebud Sioux Tribe. I am not afraid to tell you my mind on the subject ever, and don't you ever assume you are fighting the good fight. White privilege isn't the same as racism... it's it's clueless, defensive kin- something I regard with pity, though I think you'll find much stronger opinions on the subject beyond your sympathetic group of friends. If you invested any real reflection on the topic, my reaction would hardly be a surprise, Scott. Perhaps you should stick to Geology.
DeleteI honetly don't know what point you are trying to make here. Are you upset that I try to give Native's a voice in this discussion? If you had elders that taught about your history you'd know that many cultures from across the oceans came to this continent and shared knowledge with the people who were already here.
DeleteYour anger comes through loud and clear and I'm sorry about that, but I'm confused on what subject you think I'm clueless about? Care to enlighten me? All I'm hearing is anger; what nerve have we touched?
You are a scientist. I understand why this is mystifying for you, and why you are a results kind of person. I'm giving this to you because it's true, not because you are worth it at the end.. My family background is very traditional. I know the old stories. In our world, the timelines you find ancient are a flash in the pan for us. You'd better thank my elders for a reality check because at this point, we Lakota know the long history of ourselves and very well the future in some ways. You have zero influence on us Natives on that score, but thanks for the concern. This is not race based on our end. On your end, if you seriously dismiss the evil that has multiplied thanks to your Eurocentric views of North America, you are a doe in the forest. You conjecture, we suffer. Fuck your sorrow about our anger. You are in no place to lecture us about pain. And I honestly believe you don't get our point. If you want to know about your theories, we could tell you so many things. We are used to being told to sit down and shut up, if not die off and the rest of you move on. We don't need obvious fantasy (to us). Ask us a question and you get a response. Don't assume we are on your side because, after 40 years of my life dealing with archaeologists, your theories are as useful to us as your intentions. You want to know the truth? Ask an elder. if you think for one iota I am talking about Native purity, again, you are so off target. Whatever question you're looking for has been at the expense of us by virtue of your half cut audience. I am not having it, Scott. You ask with respect and accept the answer or you have ZERO idea what respect is in the first place. BTW, Kennewick man is respected by us. I have yet to see the same from your camp.
DeleteMy only comment is I don't appreciate your assumption that I am in anyone's camp except the truth. You are obviously a proud person as well you should be, but if you really understood who I was and what my intentions were you likely wouldn't be so hostile.
DeleteIn any case, thanks for sharing your views and maybe someday we'll get a chance to talk eyeball to eyeball. You probably know that the eyes are the window to the soul; you will learn who I really am then.
Ken,
ReplyDeleteThe old “academic guard” will eventually go away and younger, more open-minded scholars who can see, and acknowledge the obvious will take their place; it's already happening.
The hate-blogger actually helps the show by creating controversy. I don't read his stuff because it serves no constructive purpose. He doesn't acknowledge sound factual evidence, presents misleading information along with outright lies, and his followers resort to angry name-calling. I've been told that I've been called a pathological liar, mentally unstable, and a racist. Why would anyone bother to engage such nonsense? One thing I know for sure, he and his followers are watching the show and that's a good thing!
As far as Cahokia; keep watching!
@Scott
DeleteMy apologies for questioning what you have said, but I'm under the impression that most of what you do is research to find out the truth in things you have been told. You never seem willing to just let an artifact be described as a rune stone, for example, without actually seeing it for yourself. This is what I consider proper scientific technique.
In your comments above, however you state that "I don't read his stuff" and "I've been told that I've been called a pathological liar, mentally unstable, and a racist."
How is it that you are willing to accept such incredible insults without checking the original material.? If you had read the blog, you'd see that it says specifically that you are NOT a racist.
P.S. Is there any chance that you'll do a program about the Sun Dagger" petroglyph at Chaco Canyon? Astroarcheology fascinates me.
Liz,
DeleteLet me clarify; I have not read that blog site since early last year when the first couple of shows aired. I was perfectly willing to answer questions and be involved with people writing in. However, it didn't take long to realize it was nothing more than a debunking site and not a serious discussion of evidence. I was indeed called those names, including a racist.
The “racist” card is an age-old technique used by those who oppose pre-Columbian contact, to try and put their opponents on the defensive. I don't accept those insults and haven't read the blog for almost a year. I do occasionally hear about what gets posted by people who write to me, but I'm only interested in a honest and civil discussion about these topics.
Behavior like this by many academics is one of the big reasons we have this mess about our history in the first place.
As far as Chaco Canyon goes; stay tuned...
Scott,
ReplyDeleteI was always under the impression that our founding fathers were uniformly monotheistic. Do you have any source for the assertion that they worshipped goddesses (as opposed to using them as convenient symbols)?
Thank you for the information.
Harry,
ReplyDeleteThey did and still do believe in a single deity that has dualistic aspects that keep things in balance. The emphasis on the feminine in Washington D.C. by our Founding Fathers was their attempt to tip things back into balance after experiencing the oppression and tyranny of the patriarchal monarchies and Roman Church of Europe. We still have strong patriarchal values in this country that still requires tweaking hence the continued emphasis on the Goddess. She has many forms and it all around us to remind us to keep things in balance.
That's my take anyway...
Thank you for your reply. I love to read history, but I must confess that I have not seen anything on goddess worship in America. Did you consult any sources in addition to Alan Butler before reaching that conclusion? Or is this a new idea not previously known to historians, as far as you are aware?
DeleteThanks for any further information.
P.S. I meant to include this line of inquiry in the comments on "Secret Blueprint of America," but I apparently overshot the appropriate link when I asked my first question. I decided to post this one here, so that your readers would see both sets of questions and answers together.
There are many sources out there about Goddess Veneration dating back to pre-historic times. Look up Marija Gimbutas.
DeleteI think this is relatively new about the Goddess Veneration in Washington D.C. There is more coming on the show about this topic in a future episode. So let's wait until then to discuss further.
Mirija Gimbutas, who died in 1994, called her work archaeomythology. She had much to say about the transition from the matristic Neolithic to the patriarchal Bronze age culture both based in Europe. How that might be related to Goddess worship in Washington, D.C., would seem to require a great stretch, but I have no doubt you can manage that, Scott.
DeleteThe ancient veneration of females essentially relates to their ability to give life. The emphasis of the sacred feminine in D.C. is largely due to the attempt to bring things back into balance. The Founding Fathers had experienced the patriarchal oppression of the Roman Church and monarchies of Europe, and the New Republic was going to be based on liberty, freedom and balance. Hence, the emphasis on the female symbolism.
DeleteBelieve it or not, I was tickled to see more about the Menehunes. I actually did know about them and I've never been to Hawaii in my life. But a friend of mine wrote a children's book about them so I was excited to see you do a show about them. :-) I love your show even though I realize no conclusions are always reached. It's a gold mine for curious minds and hopefully will create a lot more awareness.
ReplyDeleteKarla,
ReplyDeleteIt's true we don't always reach a conclusion because we simply don't have enough factual evidence to do so. However, we have reached definitive conclusions about a number of things, both genuine (Kensington Rune Stone, Tucson Lead Artifacts, the Bat Creek Stone) and not (Burrows Cave Isis Stone, Texas Rock Wall not being manmade, and the Independence Stone).
These three "Crown Jewels" completely re-write the book of the pre-Columbian history of North America; and there's a lot more to come.
This year's show is just silly so far. I'm sorry but every subject has been so conclusively defined by science (not "history") as to be way beyond even entertainment to dredge up at this late date. I'm only surprised that you didn't see a "hooked x" on the face of the Hawaiian rock face. Thought I did. ......
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry you feel that way Mike; maybe our show isn't for you?
ReplyDeleteScott,
ReplyDeleteLast summer I took my family to vacation in Newport RI...one day after my daily run on the cliff walk (try that...I'm a lifelong runner and it was very tough), cooled off by walking up to the Newport Tower. Met Jim Egan, nice guy..complete gentleman and he had very nice things to say about you even if you two have different theories on the origin of the tower.
Cheers,
Mike
Mike,
ReplyDeleteJim and I are friends and love to tease each other about who built the Newport Tower. Even though we strongly disagree, we can do it without name-calling or allowing things to get personal. Jim is a very good guy and an enthusiastic ambassador for people visited that amazing structure.
We do agree it’s not a colonial windmill and in many ways we're not as far apart as even Jim might think. It all makes for good fun and people end up learning a lot listening to both theories.
Scott,
ReplyDeleteWhat are your thoughts around Oak Island? I watched the In Search of episode when I was a kid and have read up on it. By now so many digs, use of explosives and so on...not sure any new findings can occur with so much previous work..I thought of this during watching the new Oak Island show, they found metal and so on in the holes but who knows from when. Do you think we will ever get resolution (was the original "hole" just a sink hole or not)? I can't believe if there was a treasure it could not have been found by now...then again the network picking up your show has this Oak Island show..so perhaps you better not answer..ha ha
Mike
Mike,
ReplyDeleteWhatever was buried at Oak Island in the past was surely moved inland centuries ago. If left by the Templars, they wouldn't be so silly as to leave it there knowing the Europeans were coming.
Scott, I love your show. I find it enlightening. I love history and I am fascinated by the things I didn't know but are right in front of me. (Figuratively of courseq) I live in Richmond VA and there is so much history here, I look around now differently thinking, "What is the real story behind all this civil war history. Landmarks, battlefields, artifacts". I love finding out that things are not what they seem or there is more too them. Just like you proved Merriweather Lewis 's blood was not on his Mason' s clothing. , who knows what is really the truth of the Civil War. Keep up the great work.
ReplyDeleteCheryl,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sending a note; ironically, we may be doing a follow-up to the Meriwether Lewis murder episode. Wish I could share more, but stay tuned!
Believe you said the great wall of Texas had carbon dating from before the time of recognized humanity and magnetic directions kept the same. My questions would be of your awareness of Gobekle Tepe (12000 BC?) and the Coral castle? People of ancient cultures had unbelievable devotion so I would believe they knew of the rocks magnetic direction and cut/kept them as they found them? Electro-magnetism is awesome, and a possible answer for the latter. Just my belief to continue to question things.
ReplyDeleteI am aware of Gobekie Tepe and how incredibly old it is. However, even if ancient cultures were able to determine the paleomagnetism of rocks used in construction, I can't think of what purpose it would serve to align them all in the same direction. It would create a huge amount of additional work but to what end?
DeleteSouth American structures believed to be present before the incan civilization, would have had much more difficult work. A number of individuals not only of ancient cultures but presently today believe in a electromagnetic grid world wide. Possibilitys are endless " to what end". I personally enjoy your show. But would you have any thoughts on the coral castle in Florida
DeleteI've spend very little time looking into the Coral Castle in Florida. I'm certainly aware of it and many people have commented on how incredible the structure is.
DeleteMaybe we'll take a look!
Thank you, the stories I have heard of the construction also include Electro-magnetism. I believe a man was able to create gravity reversal using a small pyramid structure under an electromagnetic current. Not sure of the validity, however there are many things the present cultures of today are just learning what ancient cultures not only knew but practiced. Am looking forward to a new episode. Once again thank you for answering questions others may find very foolish.
DeleteScott- enjoying the show but you let me down, Why not stay a couple of days and check out Rock Lake thoroughly? seems a huge waste to get the subs there and only look around for a few hours. very disappointed.
ReplyDeletedidn't realize I was Anonymous - that was my question about Rock Lake, Scott. Please don't fall into the reality show trap of "investigating" for a day or less. I would think it would be cost effective to stay a couple of days once you paid to get there. it would also help you with the bloggers who are taking shots. love the show, thanks
ReplyDeleteMike,
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more that we should have taken more time to search the lake and have made those feelings known in that regard. Having said that; my hunch is weeks of searching would likely not produce a different outcome.
Lakes in glacial country like ours have lots of rocks and this lake doesn't look like the water level was much lower in the past if at all. Pretty tough to build pyramids underwater.
Hey Scott- thanks for answering. can I just say that I understand the time constraints and the need to reenact scenes for the sake of telling the story- I suggest that you talk about it on the show, and perhaps skip something if you cant get the time to do it thoroughly. it might go a long way towards getting the haters to shut up.
ReplyDeletelike I said I love the show and am fascinated with the idea of considering other possibilities for what we've assumed in the past. keep it up and try to ignore the
ignorant. more than anything I am put off by the personal and poisonous tone being vented toward you. skepticism is one thing, personal attacks are childish and unwarranted.
The haters are simply fearful knowing their precious paradigms are crumbling. It scares the crap out of them so they lash out. The "concensus of opinion" method of writing history is a thing of the past. The truth is slowly rising to the surface with the facts as it always does.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure the "haters" are scared to death of your serious Menehune research.
DeleteHey! Don't be making fun of the Menehune pal. Probably one of your favorite episodes...
ReplyDeleteI'm not making fun of the MENEHUNE.....
DeleteI know you were making fun of me; obviously my response was sarcasm.
ReplyDeleteBut then you knew that right?
Hey Scott, I live in Hawai'i and appreciate the fact that you include Hawaiians in your show.
ReplyDeleteHave you ever heard of the lost continent of Lemuria? In a nutshell, the Menehune have been thought to be the ancient original residents of the Pacific, with roots stemming from Melanesia and even Okinawa. Lemuria is rumored to be a continent in the Pacific that sank many years ago, leaving just the mountaintops as islandsHawaiians Pacific. The peoples of this land were called the Mu people, later known to the Native Hawaiians as the Menehune.
The Menehune weren't necessarily small, they were more "normal" sized in comparison to the 7-foot tall Polynesians that migrated here. The Polynesians couldn't understand their language, thus my theory is that they spoke either a Melanesian or even Okinawan dialect.
There's even a large heiau type structure in the ocean off the coast of Okinawa, rumored to have been built by the Mu people.
Look up Lemuria and the Mu people for further info. Contact me if you want to as well!
Aloha!
Aloha Rerb,
ReplyDeleteI heard about the Mu people when we were filming, but we didn't have time to include that discussion in this episode. Like many other places in the world, when you talk to the Natives you'll find out there is much more to their history, and it is much older than people realize.
Season 4 maybe?
Hi Scott. Please tell me your email address.
Deleteswolter@amengtest.com
DeleteScott, you may be interested to know that the Choctaw Nation (of which I am a member) also has legends of very small people in our midst very long ago when we were still in Mississippi, before most of us were removed to Oklahoma.
ReplyDeleteI wonder how common these stories are among traditional people. I'm thinking leprechauns, maybe.
https://www.firstpeople.us/FP-Html-Legends/TheLittlePeople-Choctaw.html
Many Native American tribes have stories about little people, and giants. I believe these legends are based in a least some truth. More work needs to be done!
DeleteMy husband is extremely interested in the carvings on rocks Viking history. He feels that he has some very good examples that he would love for you to look at, due to you being one of the few that shows the same interest in the history on rocks as he does. Would you be interested in him sharing and discussing his finds?
ReplyDelete