This National Geographic documentary explores the 'lost world' of the ancient Maya, revealing how new technologies like lidar are uncovering massive, previously unknown cities and challenging long-held beliefs about their civilization's origins and structure. Through archaeological discoveries at sites like Kiwi and 'Stairway to Heaven,' the film presents evidence of a sophisticated northern Maya society, a thriving middle class, and ingenious water management systems. It concludes by attributing the eventual collapse of this advanced civilization not to war, but to a series of intense droughts combined with political instability and rivalries fostered by a new religious-political cult, which prevented an organized response and return.