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The professional Exploration Teams of Advanced Diver Magazine (ADM) specialize in sub-aquatic artifact documentation, photography, and recovery. The Exploration Teams work closely with governmental agencies, educational institutions, archaeological groups, and private businesses to further the discovery of places of scientific or historical importance, and the recovery of items of singular interest or value.
ADM divers have conducted dozens of foreign expeditions, and have been involved with the numerous archaeological finds that have resulted. All these discoveries of human and scientific interest have been released to the proper officials for further excavation and recovery.
ADM has worked closely with several institutions and governmental agencies for the documentation and recovery of ancient artifacts, from 2000-year-old Mayan relics to 25,000 year-old remains of extinct animals, birds, and reptiles.
ADM has participated in multiple underwater cave expeditions with the goal of finding and collecting new species of life for scientific research.
During the past decade, ADM Exploration Teams have been involved with multiple shipwreck expeditions and recovery missions, such as the 1999 USS Monitor Project as well as several underwater survey and filming projects ranging from the Gulf of Mexico to the Great Lakes.
All members of the ADM team are trained to the highest levels of mixed gas diving certifications, using the latest in rebreather technology, and are highly experienced in working in extreme conditions, such as underwater caves, wrecks, limited visibility, etc.
Advanced Diver Magazine’s Exploration Teams are always ready to go in search of new locations that might have extraordinary potential for the discovery of the long forgotten or the never-before seen. ADM is continuously seeking opportunities to work with organizations or governments looking for professional underwater recoveries and/or photography. |
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Antillothrix bernensis, an extinct relict monkey from the Dominican Republic
The discovery and recovery of Antillothrix bernensis, an extinct relict monkey from the Dominican Republic.
Artifacts recovered for the Museum of Dominican Man..
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Screaming Skull
2001 ADM Discovery of the Well of Time
One of Mexico’s most significant underwater archaeological discoveries.
The Well of Time is one of ADM’s most significant underwater archaeological discoveries. The site contained 18 human skeletal remains of Mayan sacrifice, and dozens of ancient pottery relics. It was featured in a 2003 National Geographic special.
ADM informed Mexico’s Department of Archaeology of the discovery, and guided archaeologists to the site in 2001.
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2000 year-old Burial Incense Plate
2007 ADM Lake Atitlan Expedition, Guatemala
The discovery of several ancient Mayan pottery pieces, stone tools, and other artifacts were recovered from Guatemala’s Lake Atitlan by the ADM expedition team.
The artifacts were recovered and delivered to the Archaeological Department of Guatemala.
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1200 year-old Mayan pottery
2003 ADM Discovery of the Chamber of Blue Waters
The ADM discovery of the subterranean Chamber of Blue Waters revealed several ancient Mayan pieces of pottery.
Artifacts were photographed in situ and left undisturbed. The Mexican Archaeology Department was notified of the secret location.
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Extinct Bahamian Crocodile
2005 Sawmill Sink Archaeological Project
ADM worked with the Bahamian Department of Antiquities in a joint recovery from an inland cave system that contained a multitude of animal, bird, and reptile remains.
Artifacts were photographed in situ, and then brought to the surface for the Bahamian Department of Antiquities.
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Extinct Bahamian Land Tortoise
2005 Discovery and recovery from Abaco Island
The complete remains of a previously unknown, now extinct, species of land tortoise that inhabited the Bahamas over 10,000 years ago.
The remains were first photographed undisturbed, then recovered and delivered intact to the Bahamian Department of Archaeology.
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Ancient Maya Human Remains
2004 ADM Discovery of the Well of Sacred Waters
ADM’s discovery of the Well of Sacred Waters revealed multiple human remains, ancient pottery, and weapons from the Mexican Revolutionary War.
Artifacts were photographed in situ and left undisturbed. The Mexican Archaeology Department was notified of the secret location.
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Curt Bowen
Team Coordinator
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Jeff Toorish
Photographer
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Walter Pickel
Explorer
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Brett Hemphill
Explorer
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Jon Bojar
Explorer
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Erik Forman
Explorer
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Keith Ambrose
Explorer
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David Ulloa
Vidographer
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ADM Exploration Team Editorials
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| Crocodile Cave • Abaco Bahama |
Text by Brian Kakuk
Photography by Curt Bowen |
| The cave associated with this sink is an interesting mix of solutional passages, eroded speleothems, and unique, deep mud banks that show evidence of drying and cracking during ancient low sea levels, the latter item being found as deep as 170 feet in some parts of the system. |
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| Iglesia • Hidden Passages Expose Mayan History |
Text by Tracy Raz
Photography by Jeff Toorish and Curt Bowen |
| The Maya participated in human sacrifice and brutal games in which the loser (or, some would argue, the winner) would pay the ultimate price of death. During these religious events, the Maya offered special sacrifices into these cenotes in an effort to satisfy their gods. |
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| Mayans, Myths, and Monsters |
Text by Jeff Toorish
Photography by Curt Bowen and Jeff Toorish |
| As with so many deep lakes, Atitlan is home to an alleged monster. The myth goes something like this: During mid-day when the winds whip around the volcanoes and high mountains, the water of the lake becomes angry. The fabled lake monster, a serpent, lures boats to the center of the lake where it sucks them to the depths, never to be seen again. |
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| Mystical Faces Escape from Captive Places |
Text by Jeff Toorish
Photography by Curt Bowen and Jeff Toorish |
| There have long been rumors of an underwater city beneath the waves of the lake. One theory holds that an earthquake pushed an existing Mayan city into the lake; the other notion suggests a city built close to the lake was flooded when the waters rose tens of thousands of years ago. |
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| New Cave - Old Species • Dominican Republic Cave Exploration |
Text by Lindsey Pickel
Photography by Curt Bowen |
| We “power snorkeled” the sump in teams of two in order to maximize visibility. Like the other caves, we were met with bone-white limestone and perfect visibility, but that is where the similarities ended. Once we reached the cave’s dry passage, we were amazed by the pristine dry formations that stretched as far as you could see. |
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| Peten Itza • Discovery Beneath the Emerald Waters |
Text by Keith Ambrose
Photography by Curt Bowen |
| Searching the shoreline, we quickly discover specific locations where the locals still come to the water’s edge to wash, collect water, and fish. Since many of these cultures have changed very little over the last few thousand years, we figured that the paths they follow today are more than likely the same paths followed for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. |
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| Thats why they call it Exploration and not Discovery • Yucatan 2007 |
Text by Jeff Toorish
Photography by Curt Bowen and Jeff Toorish |
A strange sight for any passing cattle rancher, diver Matt Mandzieuk dresses in full side-mount and climbing equipment, makes his way through the Yucatan scrub jungle to be the first to explore the bottom of Cenote Cutzi.
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| Virgins, Violence, and Videotape |
Text by Jeff Toorish
Photography by Curt Bowen and Jeff Toorish |
| More than a dozen human remains are hidden beneath the waters of San Antonia Excucul (abbreviated to San Antonia). To enter, we must rappel through a narrow well shaft and drop about 40 feet to the water, after which it is a relatively straightforward dive. |
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| Yucatan 2010 Expedition "Get on Rope" |
Text by Jeff Toorish
Photography by Curt Bowen, Walter Pickel, and Jeff Toorish |
| At the bottom of the debris pile was what looked like an old teapot; but, upon further examination, Bowen realized it was far from a teapot. It was unique, pristine, and a very important find. |
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ADM EXPLORATION TEAM SPONSORS
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