🎯 All Moments (72)
Click any moment to jump to that point in the video
Calling for Billionaire Funding to Excavate the Labyrinth
Joe Rogan and Ben van Kerkwyk discuss the possibility of excavating the Labyrinth despite immense logistical challenges, calling for wealthy individuals like Jeff Bezos to fund the project, emphasizing the world-changing potential of uncovering this ancient wonder.
Flinders Petrie's Misconception of the Labyrinth
Ben van Kerkwyk explains how early 20th-century archaeologist Flinders Petrie, despite getting close, concluded the Labyrinth was 'all gone' after finding a massive slab, not realizing he hadn't dug deep enough to uncover the true structure beneath.
The Reliability of Corroborated Ancient Accounts
Ben van Kerkwyk explains that when multiple ancient accounts from different civilizations (Roman and Greek) spanning centuries describe the same place and core details, it constitutes highly reliable data for archaeology, indicating a 'grain of truth' in their astonishing reports.
Skepticism Towards Cuffray Scan Interpretations
Ben van Kerkwyk expresses his skepticism not about the Cuffray scan technology itself, but about the interpretations of its 3D results, questioning how vague scans are being depicted as specific structures like 'Tesla coils' or 'giant cubes with four tunnels' without clearer evidence.
The Mystery of How Ancient Subterranean Structures Were Lit
Joe Rogan and Ben van Kerkwyk discuss the enduring mystery of how vast subterranean ancient structures like the Labyrinth and Serapeum were illuminated, concluding that it wasn't with flame, leaving the true method unknown.
The Aswan Dam's Unintended Impact on the Labyrinth
Ben van Kerkwyk explains the counterintuitive effect of the Aswan High Dam: by eliminating the Nile's natural dry season, it led to a permanent increase in the water table, now threatening the Labyrinth and creating a complex, costly challenge for excavation.
Merlin Burrows' Military-Grade Subsurface Imaging Technology
Ben van Kerkwyk describes Merlin Burrows' advanced, ex-UK military technology, similar to synthetic aperture radar Doppler tomography, which uses high-frequency orbital imaging with seismic data to create 3D topographical maps of subsurface structures, originally used for tracking submarines.
The Problem with 'Everything is Symbolic' in Ancient Interpretations
Ben van Kerkwyk criticizes the mainstream archaeological tendency to interpret all ancient findings as symbolic or ceremonial, arguing that this approach dismisses the possibility of functional or technological aspects.
The Mystery of Tuning Forks on Ancient Egyptian Staffs
Ben van Kerkwyk points out a curious detail in ancient Egyptian depictions: every staff, especially those symbolizing 'power,' consistently features a 'tuning fork' on its bottom, prompting questions about its functional significance.
Ancient Descriptions of the Labyrinth's Immense Scale
Ben van Kerkwyk highlights ancient authors' astonishing descriptions of the Labyrinth, with Herodotus reporting 3,000 rooms and massive open courts, and Diodorus Siculus detailing 12 gigantic courts, each with 80 columns, emphasizing the sheer architectural ambition.
The Oklo Mine: Earth's Ancient Natural Nuclear Reactor
Joe Rogan and Ben van Kerkwyk discuss the astonishing Oklo Mine in Gabon, a natural nuclear reactor that was active 4 billion years ago and operated for 100,000 years, enriching uranium naturally.
Why Assume Only Primates Can Achieve Advanced Intelligence?
Joe Rogan and Ben van Kerkwyk challenge the anthropocentric view of intelligence, questioning why we assume only primates can reach high levels of sophistication, citing the intelligence of crows (evolutionarily close to dinosaurs) as a counter-example when considering reptilian alien species.
The Fermi Paradox and the Blink of an Eye in Cosmic Time
Ben van Kerkwyk discusses the vastness of space and time, explaining why advanced civilizations could rise and fall in what is, to us, a 'blink of an eye,' offering a perspective on the Fermi Paradox and the absence of clear alien contact.
Diodorus Siculus on the Labyrinth's Phenomenal Craftsmanship
Ben van Kerkwyk shares Diodorus Siculus's awe-struck account of the Labyrinth's unparalleled craftsmanship, describing phenomenal work, sacred enclosures with 80-column temples, and roofs made of 'single stone carved with panels and richly adorned with excellent paintings'.
Are Humans Apex Predators? What That Means for Alien Contact
Ben van Kerkwyk presents a cynical view on potential alien interactions, arguing that human behavior as apex predators—dominating, killing, and taking what we want—suggests that highly evolved alien species might not be benevolent 'Space Daddies' but rather equally ruthless.
Why Investigating the Past is Crucial for Our Future
Ben van Kerkwyk explains that his investigation into ancient mysteries isn't just benign curiosity; it's a critical effort to challenge the linear view of human progress and replace it with a cyclical understanding of civilization's rise and fall, which he believes can profoundly impact our future decisions.
Climate Change as a Model for Shifting Human Behavior
Ben van Kerkwyk draws a parallel between the impact of the climate change movement on human behavior and the potential for ancient mysteries to similarly shift our collective mindset, influencing investment decisions and societal priorities.
Questionable Carbon Dating & Pyramid Refurbishments
Ben van Kerkwyk discusses how carbon dating of pyramid mortar suggests construction hundreds of years earlier than conventional timelines, and archaeologists conveniently explain this away with 'old wood' theories. He highlights that refurbishments over time complicate dating, suggesting pyramids may have had multiple construction phases.
The Tale of Two Industries: Primitive vs. Advanced Egyptian Artifacts
Ben van Kerkwyk introduces his 'Tale of Two Industries' theory, distinguishing between primitive, handmade Egyptian artifacts (with tools and depictions of their creation) and an advanced industry producing visibly sophisticated, hard stone artifacts with phenomenal precision that cannot be explained by known dynastic Egyptian tools or methods.
Tunneling to the Labyrinth's Water-Free Lower Levels
Ben van Kerkwyk highlights new data suggesting the Labyrinth's lowest levels, extending 300 feet underground, may be free of water, opening the possibility of tunneling directly to them to bypass the shallow groundwater issues and access the ancient structure.
Diving on the Megalithic Ruins of the Lighthouse of Alexandria
Ben van Kerkwyk recounts his experience diving in Alexandria, exploring the underwater ruins of the ancient Lighthouse, where he observed massive megalithic blocks and columns—a testament to the impressive scale of early construction.
The Extreme Challenge of Machining Hard, Heterogeneous Granite
Ben van Kerkwyk emphasizes the rarely discussed difficulty of working with hard, heterogeneous materials like granite, which changes hardness microscopically. He explains that achieving the perfectly polished and finished surfaces seen on ancient artifacts would cause modern tools to rip out chunks of quartz, indicating a highly refined, unknown ancient tool tip.
The 'Three-Eyed Atlas' Object: A New Interstellar Mystery
Ben van Kerkwyk discusses the 'Three-Eyed Atlas' object, a recently observed interstellar visitor that is larger and faster than previous ones, doesn't behave like a comet, and appears to be emitting light and metallic signatures, making it a new, intriguing anomaly.
Ancient Accounts of the Labyrinth
Ben van Kerkwyk explains that the Labyrinth, far from being an obscure discovery, was extensively documented by ancient authors like Herodotus and Diodorus Siculus, who described it as a structure surpassing even the pyramids in grandeur.
The Lapis Lazuli Anomaly: Exotic Materials in Pre-Dynastic Egypt
Ben van Kerkwyk discusses the mystery of exotic stones used in pre-dynastic artifacts, such as lapis lazuli, for which there are no known quarries in Egypt. He points out that the closest source for lapis is Afghanistan, highlighting the logistical challenges and implications for ancient trade or unknown sourcing.
Advanced Techniques Confirm the Labyrinth's Existence
Ben van Kerkwyk explains how the Matahar expedition utilized a suite of well-established, modern scientific techniques—including ground-penetrating radar, geomagnetism, and seismic tomography—to definitively locate and map the Labyrinth, revealing it as established technology, not emerging science.
The Labyrinth's Massive Underground Structure
Ben van Kerkwyk describes the true scale and composition of the Labyrinth, revealing a maze-like structure of granite walls meters thick, extending 100 meters vertically by 150 meters across, far larger than initially scanned and previously thought 'destroyed'.
Pliny the Elder's Dating: Labyrinth Predates Pyramids by 1000 Years
Ben van Kerkwyk reveals Pliny the Elder's ancient tradition that the Labyrinth was constructed 3,600 years ago (3600 BC), which, if accurate, would place its construction over a thousand years before the conventional dating of the pyramids, challenging established timelines.
Zahi Hawass's Dilemma: Cost vs. Criticism in Labyrinth Excavation
Ben van Kerkwyk speculates on the political reasons behind the Labyrinth's cover-up, suggesting Zahi Hawass faced a dilemma: either spend millions on a decade-long remediation project with uncertain tourism gains or brush the discovery under the table to avoid international criticism and maintain agricultural priorities.
Debunking the 'Pounding Stones' Theory for Massive Blocks
Ben van Kerkwyk meticulously debunks the mainstream 'pounding stones' theory for quarrying, citing studies on its inefficiency and the logistical impossibility of using it for massive structures like the unfinished obelisk. He suggests the dollarite balls found were likely used as primitive ball bearings for support during cutting.
Zahi Hawass's 'National Project' Explanation Debunked
Joe Rogan and Ben van Kerkwyk critique Zahi Hawass's simplistic 'national project' explanation for the impossible feats of ancient Egyptian engineering, highlighting its failure to address the extreme precision and complex logistics involved.
The Mystery of Oumuamua's Unpredicted Acceleration
Ben van Kerkwyk delves into the most baffling aspect of the interstellar object Oumuamua: its mysterious acceleration after turning around the sun, a phenomenon that defied standard models of physics and orbital dynamics.
New Evidence Suggests Humans Could Be 900,000 Years Old
Ben van Kerkwyk discusses a teeth morphology study that challenges the conventional timeline for human evolution. By finding that dental evolution is much slower than previously assumed, the study suggests anatomically modern humans may have been present on Earth for as long as 800,000 to 900,000 years.
From Tech to Ancient Mysteries: How Graham Hancock Started My Journey
Ben van Kerkwyk recounts his personal journey into ancient mysteries, crediting Graham Hancock's first appearance on the JRE podcast for inspiring him to leave his tech career and fall down the 'pyramid-shaped hole,' dedicating himself to exploring the most fascinating period of history.
The Cover-Up of the Labyrinth's Discovery
Ben van Kerkwyk reveals that the Matahar expedition in 2008, which confirmed the Labyrinth's existence, had its findings covered up and suppressed. Expedition members were even threatened with national security sanctions if they released the information.
Zahi Hawass Denies Scan Pyramids Discoveries
Ben van Kerkwyk recounts how Zahi Hawass, former head of Egyptian antiquities, publicly dismissed groundbreaking discoveries by the Scan Pyramids project using muon detectors, only to later claim credit for the findings himself, highlighting a pattern of information control.
The Labyrinth: Millennium's Biggest Archaeological Discovery?
Ben van Kerkwyk argues that the Labyrinth is the biggest archaeological discovery of the millennium, surpassing the pyramids, and suggests its cover-up was a political decision due to the immense cost and logistical challenges of excavation amid rising groundwater and agricultural needs.
Archaeologist Jailed for Labyrinth Discovery
Ben van Kerkwyk recounts how the leader of a Kora University expedition, which also confirmed the Labyrinth's existence using ground-penetrating radar, was allegedly jailed and lost his job, with the information about this suppression only emerging years later.
Pre-Dynastic Vases: Precision Beyond Human Sight
Ben van Kerkwyk explains how modern scanning technology reveals that pre-dynastic Egyptian vases exhibit levels of precision (circularity, flatness, centering) comparable to today's aerospace industry, with tolerances sometimes lower than the thickness of a human hair, indicating advanced machining capabilities not visible to the naked eye.
The Mystery of Ancient Vase Handles and 5-Axis Machining
Ben van Kerkwyk highlights the 'smoking gun' of ancient Egyptian granite vases with handles: their perfect precision and symmetry, even between the handles, suggest they weren't made on a lathe. He proposes they required a single pass with a 5-axis CNC mill, technology far beyond what is attributed to ancient civilizations.
The Smoking Gun: Pre-Dynastic Vases and the Mystery of Impossible Craftsmanship
Ben van Kerkwyk details the incredible precision of pre-dynastic hard stone vases, some as thin as 2mm or 1/40th of an inch, and highlights why they are a 'smoking gun' for advanced ancient technology. He contrasts this with the primitive tools and capabilities of the Naqada culture they are found alongside, posing a significant challenge to mainstream archaeological narratives.
Did a Cataclysmic Flood Wash Out the Sahara Desert?
Joe Rogan and Ben van Kerkwyk observe a map of the Sahara, noting its 'washed out' appearance, as if a massive amount of water flowed over it. Ben supports this with evidence from Flinders Petrie, who found water lines and flint points on cliffs indicative of giant floods through the Nile Valley and across the Sahara, suggesting a past cataclysmic event.
The Valley Temples Were Built for a Mile-Wide Ancient Nile Branch, Not Dynastic Egypt
Ben van Kerkwyk reveals new geological research from 2024 indicating that all Egyptian valley temples (including the one near the Sphinx) are precisely located along the path of the ancient Aramat branch of the Nile. This mile-wide waterway existed during the African Humid Period, which ended thousands of years before Dynastic Egypt, suggesting these structures were built for a water source that no longer existed in their supposed construction era, challenging conventional dating.
The Academic Silence: Why Mainstream Archaeology Ignores Inconvenient Science
Ben van Kerkwyk explains that peer-reviewed scientific studies, like the one on the Aramat branch of the Nile, are often ignored by archaeologists and historians. He states that scientists will present data but stop short of inferring what it means for history, leaving 'rogue scholars and idiots like me on YouTube' to connect the dots, exposing a systemic issue of academic gatekeeping.
Academic Ego & Smear Tactics: Debunking 'White Supremacist' Accusations in Ancient History
Joe Rogan and Ben van Kerkwyk critique the arrogance and gatekeeping within academia, particularly how independent researchers are dismissed and called 'racists' or 'white supremacists.' Joe argues that this accusation is illogical, as any human civilization in ancient Egypt would have been African, exposing the tactics used to silence dissenting views and protect established narratives.
Christopher Dunn's Quote: Why Trust an Archaeologist on an Ancient Chair?
Ben van Kerkwyk shares a quote from Christopher Dunn: 'You wouldn't trust an archaeologist to design the chair you're sitting on, but if it's an ancient chair, he's going to claim he's the expert on it.' This moment highlights the critique of academic archaeologists claiming sole expertise over ancient artifacts, dismissing crucial insights from fields like engineering.
The Impossible 1:60 Penetration Rate: Ancient Drills 500x Faster Than Modern Tech?
Ben van Kerkwyk explains the astonishing '1 in 60 penetration rate' found in ancient tubular drill cores, notably Petrie's core number seven. This means for every 60 inches of horizontal travel, the drill dropped 1 inch vertically—a rate 500 times greater than modern diamond-tipped hole saws, posing an engineering mystery that defies known ancient capabilities and even surpasses modern methods.
Challenging the Myth of Linear Progress: Why Ancient Egypt Went Backwards
Ben van Kerkwyk argues against the assumption of linear historical progression, pointing to ancient sites in Mexico and Greece where 'shitty construction' sits next to advanced works. He highlights ancient Egypt as the best example, where the oldest structures (like the Great Pyramid) are the most impressive, and later constructions regress to 'mud-brick pyramids.' This 'backward' technological progression challenges the idea that ancient civilizations were always less advanced than their successors.
Ancient Egyptians: A 40,000-Year Legacy from Gods & Semi-Divine Beings
Ben van Kerkwyk reveals that the ancient Egyptians themselves claimed to be a 'legacy culture,' tracing their history back 40,000 years. Their own records speak of different eras, including the 'Shems Suhor' (followers of Horus), a 12,000-year period of mythical, semi-divine beings, and even 'Zeppi,' when the gods themselves walked the Earth. This internal narrative from the Egyptians themselves aligns with theories of lost civilizations and inherited advanced knowledge.
The Stargate Hieroglyphs of Dendera Temple
Ben van Kerkwyk explains how specific hieroglyphs in the Dendera zodiac room translate literally to 'Stargate' and relate to constellations, challenging conventional interpretations of ancient Egyptian knowledge.
From Plasma TVs to Sacred Black Rocks: How Technology Becomes Ritual
Joe Rogan and Ben van Kerkwyk explore a fascinating analogy: if civilization fell, future humans might ritualize modern technology like plasma TVs, turning them into 'shiny black rocks' with mystical powers, illustrating how advanced tech could become ancient symbolism.
Was There a Physical 'Dendera Light Bulb' Made of Gold?
Ben van Kerkwyk shares an intriguing interpretation from Egyptian experts: carvings in a Dendera crypt describe a physical, mostly gold device, similar to the 'Dendera light bulb,' that once existed in that very crypt, spanning a human wingspan.
The Dark Forest Theory: Why We Should Be Quiet in Space
Ben van Kerkwyk explains the 'Dark Forest Theory' from 'The Three-Body Problem,' a philosophical concept suggesting that in a galaxy full of unknown predators, the safest strategy for any civilization is to remain silent and, if discovered, eliminate the threat.
Humans are 'Screaming Babies' in the Cosmic Dark Forest
Applying the Dark Forest Theory, Ben van Kerkwyk provocatively suggests that humans, by broadcasting signals into space, are like 'babies in a cot screaming around a roaring fire' in a dangerous forest, hoping for benevolent 'Space Daddy' aliens.
A Beer Bottle Found at the Bottom of the Mariana Trench
Joe Rogan and Ben van Kerkwyk discuss the shocking discovery of a beer bottle at the deepest point of the ocean, the Mariana Trench, highlighting the pervasive reach of human pollution and prompting questions about its recent appearance.
The Physics of the Titan Sub Implosion: Faster Than Pain
Ben van Kerkwyk details the horrifying physics of the Titan submersible's implosion, explaining that it happened in just 20 milliseconds, a timeframe significantly faster than the 150 milliseconds it takes for the human brain to register pain.
How OceanGate Skirted Regulations and the Tragedy of Father and Son
Ben van Kerkwyk discusses the tragic implosion of the Titan submersible, highlighting how OceanGate reportedly circumvented safety regulations by designating passengers as 'expedition team members' and the heartbreaking detail of a father and son on board.
The Giza Erosion Anomaly: Why Older Structures Have Bigger Stones
Ben van Kerkwyk highlights a crucial anomaly at Giza: the observation that 'the older you go, the bigger the stones are,' and details significant erosion on structures like the Sphinx enclosure and pyramid temples, which contrasts sharply with supposedly contemporary, less eroded buildings.
Geological Studies Date Giza Erosion to 60,000-122,000 Years Ago
Ben van Kerkwyk presents scientific evidence from limestone weathering studies, including government and cemetery data, indicating that the 2 feet of erosion seen on hard numalytic limestone blocks at Giza would require 60,000 to 122,000 years of weathering, far predating conventional timelines.
The Unanswered Question of Giza's Erosion Discrepancy
Ben van Kerkwyk highlights the lack of a conventional explanation for the stark difference in erosion between megalithic, granite-cased structures at Giza (like the Sphinx Temple) and supposedly contemporary, smaller, less eroded buildings nearby, suggesting a fundamental challenge to mainstream archaeology.
The Robert Schoch Argument: Why Giza's Erosion Means It's Older
Ben van Kerkwyk expands on Robert Schoch's water erosion argument for the Sphinx, applying it to other Giza structures. He challenges the mainstream by presenting a direct comparative question: if two structures of the same stone and elevation are dated similarly, why is one severely eroded and the other not? The logical conclusion, he states, is that 'one's older.'
Pre-Dynastic Art and Advanced Quarrying: Debunking Pounding Stones
Ben van Kerkwyk presents evidence from the Aswan quarry, where pre-dynastic red ochre paintings coexist with 'scoop marks' from massive block extractions. He argues this implies advanced quarrying occurred *before* the primitive culture depicted, challenging the mainstream 'pounding stone' theory as inadequate for such feats.
Thunderstone vs. Egyptian Sleds: The Absurdity of Mainstream Explanations
Ben van Kerkwyk contrasts the 18th-century movement of the 1500-ton Thunderstone (requiring advanced technology like capstans, pulleys, iron rails, and warships) with the purported ancient Egyptian method of 'wooden sleds' and 'no force multipliers,' exposing the inadequacy of mainstream explanations for moving thousand-ton loads.
The Labyrinth's Metallic Object and its Scientific Confirmation
Ben van Kerkwyk details the recent discovery of a 40-meter metallic object deep within the Labyrinth in Egypt, explaining how new data from legitimate companies using established military technology confirmed its presence and metallic composition.
Searching the Sahara for Untouched Lost Civilizations
Ben van Kerkwyk proposes the Sahara Desert as a prime target for discovering untouched ancient civilizations. He theorizes that if a civilization flourished during the African Humid Period when the Sahara was a savannah, its remnants might lie buried beneath the sand, uninherited and reused unlike sites in the Nile Valley.
Atlantica: Discovery of a Megalithic Underwater City off Spain
Ben van Kerkwyk reveals that Michael Donan, using advanced scanning technology, has potentially found 'Atlantis' or at least a significant megalithic underwater city off the coast of Spain, with a documentary 'Atlantica' set to explore these findings.
The Impossible Pre-Dynastic Vases: A Technological Anomaly
Ben van Kerkwyk discusses John Anthony West's fascination with pre-dynastic Egyptian vases, highlighting their impossible precision and the mystery of how they were manufactured through tiny necks, challenging conventional understanding of ancient capabilities.
Single-Piece Granite Columns with Lathe Centering Points
Ben van Kerkwyk describes the astonishing single-piece granite columns found in ancient Egypt, noting their immense size, complex tapered and flared shapes, and the presence of 'lathe centering points,' suggesting advanced machining technology.
The Impossible Up-River Transport of a 1500-Ton Statue
Ben van Kerkwyk details the logistical nightmare of a 1500-ton standing statue at Karnak, made of extremely hard composite quartzite from 600 miles north. The challenge lies in transporting such a massive block *up* the Nile River against its natural flow, a feat that defies conventional explanation.
Tim Acres' 'Tic-Tac' Object & Dendera's Literal Stargate Glyphs
Ben van Kerkwyk discusses Tim Acres' description of a 40-meter 'metallic, tic-tac shaped' object found beneath the Labyrinth, whose material signature is 'unlike anything I've seen in my entire career,' with speculative theories of it being a portal or Stargate. Ben then claims that the ancient Egyptians themselves depicted stargates, with literal translations of 'Stargate' found on temple walls at Dendera, showing constellations with gates, pushing the boundaries of ancient mysteries into speculative high-tech territory.
SEM Reveals NO Copper, But Traces of Titanium in Ancient Stone Vessels
Dr. Max Zamalov, a nuclear physicist, used scanning electron microscopes (SEM) to analyze ancient hard stone vessel fragments. The shocking discovery: zero traces of copper, directly refuting the orthodox 'copper tube and sand' explanation. Even more astonishingly, they found traces of titanium and titanium alloys, a metal not used outside labs until the 1930s and requiring advanced smelting, suggesting a technology far beyond what's attributed to ancient Egyptians.
Radioactive Vases & Nuclear Machining: Evidence of Advanced Ancient Physics?
Ben van Kerkwyk reveals Dr. Max Zamalov's astonishing discovery: precision ancient vases are radioactive, containing two to three times the thorium decay products of regular rock samples. One quartz piece also showed a notable cesium 137 signature. This leads to the 'nuclear machining' hypothesis—a theory that ancient civilizations might have used radioactive materials on tools to 'carve stone with ease, kind of like a lightsaber,' leaving a radioactive signature and explaining impossible penetration rates.