Mexican Government Agency Affirms MrBeast's 'Ancient Temple Challenge' Complied with Regulations, Yet Certain Aspects Lacked Authenticity
YouTube phenomenon Mr. Beast, whose real name is James Donaldson, released a video titled "I Survived 100 Hours in an Ancient Temple" on May 10. The video, part of Mr. Beast's globetrotting endurance series, was shared on his channel, which boasts over 394 million subscribers. The video has amassed over 55 million views in just four days.
However, Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) has raised concerns over the video's authenticity. In a statement published on May 12, the INAH confirmed that Donaldson's visits to several Mayan archaeological zones, including Chichén Itzá, Calakmul, and Balamcanche, were legal and conducted with the approval of the federal Ministry of Tourism, Campeche, and Yucatán government. The shoots were completed in areas open to the public, without obstructing access for other visitors.
INAH also addressed several inaccuracies in the final cut. Contrary to the video's portrayal, no drones were flown inside El Castillo at Chichén Itzá, no one descended from a helicopter, and no one spent the night inside an archaeological site. The institute demonstrated its vigilance in ensuring safety and preservation protocols during the production process.
One of the more dramatic scenes in the video depicts Donaldson being given an ancient funerary mask. He comically questions why the mask is not in a museum and jests that a YouTuber should not be handling such an artifact. However, the INAH clarified that the mask presented was a reproduction, not an original artifact. No authentic artifacts were mishandled or removed during the shoot.
Despite these inaccuracies, the INAH maintains a conciliatory tone, recognizing that content like Donaldson's may encourage younger viewers to explore Mexico's cultural heritage. This can be rewarding, provided the content is accurately contextualized historically.
Sources:[1] National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) statement, May 12[2] Various media outlets reporting on the controversy surrounding Mr. Beast's video "I Survived 100 Hours in an Ancient Temple"
The Modern art of YouTube, as exhibited by Mr. Beast's video "I Survived 100 Hours in an Ancient Temple," has sparked debates about authenticity and context. Despite the controversy, the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) acknowledges the potential of such content to stimulate interest in Mexico's archaeological sites and rich history, emphasizing the importance of accurate contextualization. In the museum of social-media entertainment, the general news has reported on the INAH's explanations regarding the video's inaccuracies, including the use of a reproduction funerary mask in one of its scenes.
