Unearthing the Lost City Beneath the Plains
How archaeologists traced a forgotten settlement, and uncovered a story still unfolding.
For centuries, the true scale of Etzanoa remained hidden beneath the Kansas prairie. In recent years, archaeologists, tribal partners, and local researchers have worked together to rediscover the Great Settlement through new methods, historic accounts, and surprising clues unearthed from the land.
Their work is still underway, but the rediscovery of Etzanoa has already reshaped our understanding of Indigenous history on the Plains.
A New Look at an Ancient City
Modern research — driven by updated translations, historical maps, and careful excavation — helped pinpoint Arkansas City as the heart of the Great Settlement. What emerged was a picture of a vast, thriving community far larger than early scholars ever imagined.
The videos below explore this groundbreaking process and the discoveries that continue to bring Etzanoa back into view.
Rediscovering Etzanoa
A cinematic look at the archaeological work that led to the rediscovery of Etzanoa, featuring insights from researchers and historians.
Video by Matt Gush
The Search for the Lost City
A deeper exploration of the evidence, mapping, and scientific methods that helped locate and identify the Great Settlement.
Video by Matt Gush