I interview Alexei Vranich, Ph.D. in Archaeology. Alexei recently made a break-through on a 20 year project, piecing together the remains of a 1,500 year old temple plan in Bolivia. Let's just say this project was a big deal, and many news outlets like National Geographic were very interested. 

Alexei is also fascinated by the role awe plays in the ancient cultures he studies. Namely, Alexei suggests that awe is a means of social cohesion that is caused by a common experience of each person transcending the ego-mind. We talk about the importance of bringing awe into the modern world and the alarming symptoms caused by its absence. Also covered is the festival of burning man and the question of whether extraterrestrials were involved in the construction of ancient civilizations (no, says Alexei). 

Thank you for checking the fascinating work that Alexei is doing, and for contemplating what awe means in the human experience. 


Alexei Vranich
"Archaeologist and Anthropologist with an interest in technology, religion, design and owning as little as possible.
Alexei Vranich received his Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania and has been working in South America since 1995. He has extensive research experience around the world in such places as Spain, Italy, India, Peru, and Bulgaria, and Costa Rica. He has bridged the divide between academic and popular archaeology through appearances on television and on the radio and in magazines such as National Geographic, The Sciences, and Archaeology Magazine, in addition to a variety of national and international newspapers" (Huffington Post).

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/the-archaeology-of-awe_b_8235652?ec_carp=4263027384287614830

https://www.dralexei.com/

Daniel K White