Who was explorer Percy Fawcett? Why did he believe the “City of Z” existed? How did he disappear?
The Lost City of Z by David Grann recounts the true story of British explorer Percy Fawcett. Fawcett’s disappearance still captivates audiences today and has led to the creation of many theories.
Continue reading for an overview of Percy Fawcett’s story, as told in The City of Z.
Fawcett’s Youth
The Lost City of Z by David Grann begins with a look at Fawcett’s early life. Percy Harrison Fawcett grew up in a wealthy but troubled Victorian family. His father, Captain Edward Boyd Fawcett, struggled with alcoholism, which led to the loss of the family fortune and contributed to his untimely death. Percy’s mother, Myra Elizabeth, was known for her harsh treatment of her children. These early experiences shaped Percy into a reserved individual. Family conflicts, particularly surrounding his early romance with Nina Agnes Paterson, further complicated his personal life.
Despite the challenges, Fawcett’s charisma attracted many followers, especially women. His marriage to Nina had a significant impact on his life. They eventually had two sons together, Jack and Brian. Their son Jack excelled athletically and adhered to Percy’s strict standards, while their other son Brian often felt neglected due to Percy’s frequent absences. Financial difficulties affected the children’s educational opportunities and increased their reliance on Nina.
Early Expeditions
Fawcett’s time at the Royal Military Academy in Woolwich instilled in him a resilient approach to exploration. The rigorous training fostered the tenacity and determination that would prove invaluable during his future expeditions. The institution’s emphasis on promoting Western ideals, such as capitalism and Christianity, also influenced his perspective.
Fawcett’s early expeditions in Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) and Bolivia cemented his reputation as an accomplished explorer. In Ceylon, he searched for a legendary treasure, reflecting his fascination with archaeology and ancient civilizations. Although unsuccessful in locating the treasure, Fawcett relished the adventure, further fueling his passion for exploration.
Fawcett’s remarkable skills were particularly evident in the Amazon rainforest. He meticulously planned his 1906 expedition to Bolivia with his deputy Arthur John Chivers, ensuring they had all the necessary supplies and equipment. Despite facing harsh conditions, including extreme weather, limited resources, and dangerous wildlife, Fawcett’s exceptional endurance and navigational abilities allowed him to survive and return with valuable knowledge and detailed maps.
Through his interactions with indigenous tribes like the Guarayos and Maxubis, Fawcett began to question prevailing assumptions about the Amazon. He discovered sophisticated knowledge, cultural richness, and advanced agricultural practices that challenged the dominant views of Amazonian tribes at the time. This realization prompted further anthropological research and recognition of the region’s hidden complexities and historical significance, ultimately leading Fawcett to leave the boundary commission and pursue the possibility of ancient civilizations hidden in the vast South American rainforest.
The City of Z Theory
Percy Fawcett became increasingly convinced that traces of an advanced, ancient civilization lay hidden within the dense Amazon rainforest. He developed his theory about the mythical “City of Z” by drawing upon historical accounts from early conquistadors, his own observations, and his studies of indigenous communities.
Fawcett’s experiences in Sri Lanka, where he witnessed the remains of ancient temples and cities, reinforced his belief that advanced civilizations could emerge and later be consumed by the encroaching jungle. He hypothesized that affluent societies might have also vanished in the Amazon’s dense vegetation.
As Fawcett discovered scattered evidence throughout the Amazon, such as ceramic fragments and raised pathways, his conviction grew stronger. These findings suggested that pre-Columbian civilizations possessed advanced organizational and engineering capabilities, leading Fawcett to theorize about a lost society he called “Z.”
Fawcett’s hypothesis challenged the prevailing notion that the Amazon was incapable of supporting large, complex societies. Motivated by accounts from explorers who described densely populated areas and advanced agricultural methods, Fawcett sought to dispel the misconception that the Amazon could not sustain intricate civilizations.
Pursuit of Z
In his pursuit of the City of Z, Fawcett encountered numerous obstacles, including difficulty in securing financial support and academic endorsement for his ambitious expeditions. The scientific community’s skepticism often hindered his efforts to obtain funding, although he did receive recognition in the form of a gold medal from the Royal Geographical Society, acknowledging his theories.
Fawcett turned to the United States, attracted by its abundant capitalist resources, to secure financial backing for his expedition. His campaign found some success, garnering support from organizations like the Geographical Society and an institution dedicated to preserving Indigenous American heritage.
The expeditions of Fawcett into the Amazon also captured the interest of many others, including wealthy businessman and explorer Alexander Hamilton Rice. Rice’s well-funded expeditions, equipped with advanced technology like airplanes and radios, intensified the competitive atmosphere and highlighted the stark contrast in resources compared to Fawcett’s more modest means.
Despite the numerous challenges he faced, Fawcett remained determined. He persisted in his efforts to map the unexplored regions of the Amazon and never wavered in his belief that an ancient, advanced society, which he called Z, once existed there.
Fawcett’s unwavering dedication and persistent efforts, along with the emergence of new evidence over time suggesting significant human influence on the Amazonian landscape, reinforced the idea that the jungle could have once been home to large, complex societies. Although his theories and expeditions were not fully substantiated during his lifetime, they eventually paved the way for new perspectives on the Amazon region’s historical potential to support a sophisticated civilization.
The Disappearance
The disappearance of Colonel Percy Fawcett, his son Jack, and Raleigh Rimell during their 1925 Amazon expedition has captivated global attention, spawning various legends and theories, and prompted numerous expeditions to find them.
Fawcett, accompanied by Jack and their long-time friend Raleigh Rimell, embarked on a dangerous journey into the Amazon’s uncharted regions, determined to find the legendary city he called “Z.” He kept their route secret, making it extremely challenging to trace their path once they vanished.
Fawcett’s final communications from the wilderness exuded optimism, suggesting he might be on the verge of the breakthrough he had long sought. He acknowledged the risks involved and had requested additional supplies to ensure his team’s safe return if they survived the challenges ahead.
After Fawcett’s disappearance, numerous expeditions were launched to uncover his fate, but all ended in failure or tragedy. Commander George M. Dyott led the first major expedition in 1928, followed by a range of scientific and adventurous endeavors. Sadly, many missions were unsuccessful, and some rescuers also disappeared or met fatal outcomes.
Fawcett’s disappearance sparked widespread fascination, leading to various myths and speculations. The mystery and its haunting stories not only captured global media attention but also inspired diverse artistic works, including radio plays, films, and literary accounts. Theories about Fawcett’s fate ranged from being killed by indigenous tribes to voluntarily abandoning modern civilization. His wife, Nina Fawcett, and her family maintained hope and often turned to spiritualism in their quest for answers.
The enduring enigma of Fawcett’s disappearance was fueled by reported sightings, cryptic clues, and mysterious messages over the years. Alleged discoveries of items thought to be linked to Fawcett, such as a navigational tool and a distinct piece of jewelry, along with claims of his lasting mysterious allure, have sustained public interest. Nina Fawcett’s tireless efforts led her to persistently search for signs that her family was still alive.
Fawcett’s descendants persevered in their search, refusing to accept that he had perished. Driven by hope and dedication, relatives sought to preserve his legacy through illustrations, stories, and public appeals. The mystery surrounding Fawcett, which intertwines the excitement of an exploration narrative with the complexities of family dynamics, remains unsolved to this day.
