As the son of archaeologists, National Geographic Explorer David Stuart spent his childhood wandering ancient Maya ruins—and helped shape what we know about the civilization today.

For a long time, archaeologists believed that large buildings required large bosses. The idea was simple: only societies with strong hierarchies (kings, priests, and planners) could organize massive ...

The lush jungles of Mexico have revealed a hidden marvel: an ancient Maya city sprawling under centuries of dense growth. Discovered in the southeastern state of Campeche and dubbed "Valeriana," the ...