Unlock Humanity’s Hidden Legacy at Scottsdale Quest for Ancient Civilizations

David Hatcher Childress is an author, explorer, and publisher best known for his research into ancient civilizations, lost technologies, and unsolved historical mysteries. Born in France and raised in Colorado and Montana, he studied archaeology at the University of Montana before leaving formal education in the 1970s to travel the world in search of ancient knowledge and unexplained phenomena.

In 1984, he founded Adventures Unlimited Press, a publishing company specializing in alternative history, archaeology, and science. He is also the publisher of World Explorer Magazine and founder of the World Explorers Club, through which he leads tours and expeditions to archaeological sites around the globe.

Over his career, Childress has written or co-authored more than 25 books covering topics such as lost cities, ancient advanced technology, anti-gravity research, and possible extraterrestrial influences in human history. His work has taken him across six continents, from the temples of South America to the ruins of Asia and Africa.

He is widely recognized for his recurring appearances on the television series Ancient Aliens, where he shares insights from his travels and field investigations. Through his writing and media work, Childress inspires curiosity about the mysteries of the past and encourages readers to look beyond conventional history to rediscover humanity’s forgotten origins.

Randall Carlson is an independent scholar, educator, and researcher who explores Earth’s cataclysmic past, sacred geometry, ancient architecture, myth, and the ways cosmic events have shaped human civilization. He draws connections among geology, archaeology, mythology, astronomy, and symbolism to propose that dramatic natural events—such as rapid climate changes, great floods, and cosmic impacts—are central to understanding both our planet’s history and the origins of human culture.

Over many years, Carlson has built a following through lectures, video presentations, workshops, and collaborations that invite audiences to reconsider what science, myth, and symbolism reveal about the past. He is the founder of Sacred Geometry International and leads educational projects dedicated to reviving ancient wisdom and integrating it with modern scientific understanding.

Carlson continues to inspire curiosity about the interconnectedness of nature, the cosmos, and human consciousness, encouraging a deeper appreciation for the mysteries of our world and the profound patterns that shape it.

Graham Hancock is an internationally renowned bestselling author and journalist whose works explore the deep mysteries of human history, lost civilizations, and ancient knowledge. Known for his meticulous research paired with bold, thought-provoking hypotheses, Hancock has spent more than three decades investigating the archaeological and historical records that shape our understanding of the ancient world. His books—including Fingerprints of the Gods, Magicians of the Gods, and America Before—have sold millions of copies worldwide and sparked global discussion about the true origins of civilization.

A former correspondent for The Economist and The Guardian, Hancock’s investigative background brings a journalistic rigor to his explorations of archaeology, mythology, and earth changes. His work blends scientific evidence with cross-cultural analysis, revealing patterns and anomalies that challenge conventional timelines. He is also an acclaimed documentary presenter, appearing in numerous television specials and as the host of the popular Netflix series Ancient Apocalypse, which introduced his ideas to an even broader global audience.

Hancock is celebrated for his ability to communicate complex and controversial ideas with clarity, passion, and intellectual openness. His lectures attract audiences around the world, where he inspires curiosity about humanity’s forgotten past and the possibility that earlier civilizations were far more advanced than mainstream scholarship acknowledges. As a keynote voice at Quest for Ancient Civilizations, Hancock brings his unique perspective on the ancient world—one that invites deeper inquiry, critical thinking, and a reimagining of our shared human story.

Founder & CEO of 4biddenknowledge Inc.

Billy Carson (born September 4, 1971, Queens, New York) is a 6× bestselling author, producer, entrepreneur, and the visionary founder of 4biddenknowledge Inc., a multimedia company dedicated to bridging ancient wisdom, science, and modern consciousness. Raised in Miami, Florida, Carson’s early life instilled in him a drive to understand both the material and metaphysical aspects of reality.

He holds a Certificate of Science with an emphasis in Neuroscience from MIT and a Certificate in Ancient Civilizations from Harvard University. Combining this academic foundation with decades of independent research, he developed a unique body of work exploring quantum physics, consciousness, ancient technologies, and the origins of humanity.

As CEO of 4biddenknowledge TV, Carson built one of the fastest-growing conscious streaming networks in the world—featuring original documentaries, talk shows, and educational series. His shows and lectures focus on ancient civilizations, space science, spirituality, and financial empowerment. He is also the CEO of First Class Space Agency, which researches alternative propulsion and zero-point energy systems, demonstrating his long-term vision to merge ancient knowledge with future technologies.

Carson authored several acclaimed works, including The Compendium of the Emerald Tablets, Woke Doesn’t Mean Broke, The Epic of Humanity, and Fractal Holographic Universe. His writings examine the intersection of consciousness, frequency, and universal law—translating esoteric concepts into practical insights for personal transformation and wealth building.

A frequent media guest and keynote speaker, Carson has been featured in Rolling Stone, TIME, Forbes, Entrepreneur, and Bloomberg. He contributes regularly to Entrepreneur Magazine and BizJournals.com, where he shares thought leadership on business innovation, mindset, and digital media.

In 2022, he received the Stellar Citizens Award for his positive contributions to global awareness and education. Through his 4biddenknowledge Academy, Carson mentors thousands of students worldwide in subjects such as metaphysics, financial literacy, artificial intelligence, and self-mastery.

Towering at 6′4″, Carson is known for his calm, charismatic presence and his mission to “unite science and spirituality.” His guiding principle—CT × A = M™ (Conscious Thought × Action = Manifestation)—encapsulates his life’s work: empowering humanity to awaken, evolve, and reclaim its ancient wisdom in the modern age.

Gary Buechler, better known online as Nerdrotic, is an American content creator, cultural commentator, and passionate advocate for fandom. After spending a decade running The Comic Outpost, a San Francisco comic shop, he transitioned into full-time independent media.

On YouTube and beyond, Gary offers incisive, outspoken commentary on popular culture, diving into entertainment industry dynamics, fandom criticism, and narrative trends. He is the host of several recurring shows, including Friday Night Tights, The Real BBC, and The Nerdrotic Nooner, which regularly feature guest voices from across geek media.

In 2025, he published his memoir Waiting for Nerdrotic: From Prison to YouTube, recounting his personal struggles and unconventional path to building a voice in independent media. Married since 2003 and father to one child, Gary blends personal transparency with sharp commentary in everything he creates.

Hugh Newman is a world explorer, megalithomaniac and author of Earth Grids: The Secret Pattern of Gaia’s Sacred Sites(2008); co-author of Giants On Record: America’s Hidden History, Secrets in the Mounds and the Smithsonian Files with Jim Vieira (2015), Stone Circles (2017), and contributed to Megalith: Studies In Stone (2018). He is published in three ‘Ancient Origins’ e-books.

He has been a regular guest on History Channel’s Ancient Aliens and Search for the Lost Giants and has been on the BBC, Sky TV, Bosnian TV and is currently involved in Road 2 Ruins (US) and Ancient Tomorrow(US) documentary projects. He is a video producer who publishes regular films of his worldwide explorations at www.youtube.com/MegalithomaniaUK. He has articles published in Atlantis Rising (US), New Dawn (Australia), Nexus (UK/AUS), Mindscape (UK), Heretic (UK), World Explorers Magazine (US), The Circular (UK), The Leyhunter (UK) and on websites such as www.ancient-origins.net and www.grahamhancock.com.

As well as organising the annual Megalithomania conferences and tours, he co-organises the Origins Conference in London with Andrew Collins and has spoken at events in the UK, Malta, France, Peru, Egypt, Bosnia, Cambodia, Java and North America. He currently lives in Wiltshire, England.

William Henry is a best-selling author, investigative mythologist, art historian, and TV presenter who has a unique ability to incorporate historical, religious, spiritual, scientific, and archaeological knowledge into his presentations. He is internationally recognized as the Consulting Producer of the History Channel's global hit, Ancient Aliens. Mr. Henry has also miraculously found the time to author 18 books intended to harmoniously guide humanity's rapidly expanding consciousness to the next level.

William Henry is a best-selling author, investigative mythologist, art historian, and TV presenter who has a unique ability to incorporate historical, religious, spiritual, scientific, and archaeological knowledge into his presentations. Mr. Henry has the all-important ability to provide the layperson with an in-depth understanding of ancient knowledge and how to apply it here and now. By bringing to life the ancient stories of ascension through art and Gnostic texts, he teaches the secrets of soul transfiguration, or metamorphosis, that connect people across cultures, time, and space.

Michael Button is a dynamic independent investigator, content creator, and researcher dedicated to exploring the hidden patterns and mysteries of ancient history. With a focus on overlooked civilizations, dramatic sea-level changes and obscured archaeological sites, he blends narrative curiosity with investigative drive to bring fresh questions to the surface.

Through his online platform, Michael publishes video essays and field-investigations examining topics like submerged landscapes, megalithic architecture and anomalous artifacts. He engages a growing audience of history fans, amplifying the idea that some of our planet’s most profound stories remain untold.

Driven by a belief that the past holds keys to understanding the present — and perhaps even the future — Michael encourages viewers to look beyond conventional textbooks and join him in the search for what lies beneath the surface of human origins.

Dan Richards is a British writer and journalist specializing in travel, memoir, and the culture of remote places. Born in Wales in 1982 and raised in Bristol, he studied English literature and philosophy before embarking on a career that blends storytelling and exploration. He is co-author of Holloway with Robert Macfarlane and Stanley Donwood, which became a Sunday Times bestseller. Dan’s subsequent books include The Beechwood Airship Interviews, Climbing Days (which retraces the mountaineering footsteps of his great-great-aunt Dorothy Pilley and great-great-uncle I. A. Richards), and Outpost: A Journey to the Wild Ends of the Earth. His writing – for publications such as The Guardian, Monocle, and The Economist – examines how people respond to isolation, adventure, and the “spaces at the edges” of the familiar. Based in the Pacific Northwest, he continues to travel widely and write about the landscapes that reflect our relationship with nature and self.

American research Jj Ainsworth will share her research on ancient symbolism from all around the world, and reveal many surprises and connections between ancient cultures. Her research shows evidence that the oldest petroglyphs in North America were a type of symbol language used not only in America, but in ancient Ireland, and Paraguay as well. These sites are all also connected with the ancient lore of giants.

Jj Ainsworth is a researcher and explorer based in the US, who is an expert on ancient symbolism and connections between sites worldwide. She has featured on numerous radio shows, has published articles on www.ancient-origins.com, and co-hosts tours around the world.

Filmmaker Oana R. Ghiocel invites you on a cinematic and fascinating journey into humanity’s forgotten sky. Her upcoming feature documentary and docuseries, Quest for Ancient Stones and Skies — narration envisioned by Pamela Anderson as The Voice of the Ancient World Reawakened and shaped by a BAFTA-winning, Oscar-nominated Consulting Editor — reveal groundbreaking discoveries across the Transylvanian Alps, Peru, and Egypt. Featuring world-renowned experts Anthony Aveni, Giulio Magli, Robert Schoch, David Carballo, and Andrés Ruzo, this keynote premieres new astronomical findings from the Carpathian Sphinx Complex, rare solstice hierophanies, and the earliest known ritual observatories — predating Stonehenge and Göbekli Tepe. It also includes the first-ever reconstruction of the night sky as it appeared 50,000 years ago — the sky of the Neanderthals. A cinematic and fascinating journey into the forgotten sky that once guided humankind.

Will Brown is an explorer, researcher, and author behind the YouTube channel IncredHistory. Originally a history teacher, he now produces cinematic history-videos that dig into overlooked sites, maps, and forgotten narratives. He is the author of Enigmatic North America and curates a brand of content described as “Cinematic History Videos | Explorer/Author” across social media. Based out of the USA, Will combines field investigation, storytelling and visual media to invite a fresh look at history’s hidden layers.

Michael Collins is the founder, host, and executive producer of Wandering Wolf Productions, a media company dedicated to exploring the world’s most awe-inspiring ancient sites and uncovering hidden truths. After leaving a career in sales, Michael took a life-changing trip to Peru, where he encountered the massive megalithic stones of Sacsayhuamán and felt a profound shift in his path. That moment launched his journey into independent exploration, filmmaking, and immersive travel.

With little more than a camera and a deep desire to uncover the extraordinary, he has traveled to hundreds of ancient locations across the globe, documenting monolithic architecture, mysterious ruins, and indigenous wisdom that challenge conventional narratives. His mission is to ignite curiosity and invite others to step beyond passive viewing into active exploration of the planet’s hidden past.

Based in Austin, Texas, Michael now leads tours, produces documentaries, and curates immersive experiences focused on megalithic wonders, sacred geometry, and humanity’s forgotten history. His work blends adventure, research, storytelling, and cinematography to bring ancient mysteries to life.