In the 16th century, Elizabethan explorer Sir Walter Raleigh set sail in search of El Dorado, a legendary city full of gold and precious jewels.
400 years on, and with the site of El Dorado still undiscovered, a team of children from the UK are on their own expedition following in Raleigh's footsteps.
Sadly they have no greater success in locating the legendary city than Raleigh, but they do try their hand at gold panning.
Having seen Guyana for herself, Sammie, one of the Serious Explorers, thinks El Dorado was actually under Raleigh's nose the whole time.
This clip is from the series Seriously Raleigh.
Teacher Notes
This clip could be used as part of a wider study of other Tudor explorations.
Having viewed the clip, students could develop an empathy exercise based on Raleigh's hopes and fears for his expedition, in particular the consequences of reward or failure.
Curriculum Notes
This clip is suitable for teaching Geography at KS2 and KS3 Level in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and at 2nd and 3rd Level in Scotland.
More from Seriously Raleigh:
Expedition safety. video
The Serious Explorers must learn how to stay safe whilst retracing Raleigh's route to Guyana.
Expedition to Guyana - endangered animals in the rainforest. video
The explorers meet the region's most endangered animals, the caiman and the harpy eagle.
Expedition to Guyana - exploring Mount Roraima. video
The Serious Explorers have come to Mount Roraima to relive the legend of Raleigh.
Expedition to Guyana - life in the rainforest. video
The Serious Explorers take a look at the rainforest in Guyana, a place that has hardly changed since Raleigh’s day.
Expedition to Guyana - Mount Roraima (no narration) video
Extraordinary and stunning views of the imposing and magnificent Mount Roraima. Aerial views capture the magnificence of the mountain.
Expedition to Guyana - navigating an ocean journey. video
The Serious Explorers team are recreating Sir Walter Raleigh's ocean journey in search of El Dorado. They spend four days at sea learning about navigation tools.
Expedition to Guyana - planning an expedition. video
The Serious Explorers have taken almost a year to plan an expedition to recreate his journey. We see their planning process.
Expedition to Guyana - rivers and waterfalls (no narration) video
Views of the rivers running through the rainforest of Guyana and a glimpse into the ways in which the rivers support Guyana's rainforest communities.
Expedition to Guyana - spending a night in the rainforest. video
The Serious Explorers spend a night in the Guyana rainforest. The UK adventurers learn to make shelters and set animal traps.
Expedition to Guyana - the Makushi tribespeople. video
The explorers join in a traditional Makushi celebration and go hunting with the tribesmen, relying on their help.
Expedition to Guyana - transportation for local tribespeople. video
The Serious Explorers try using traditional canoes like the ones Raleigh’s team would have used over four hundred years ago.
