David P. Hatch

David Hatcher Childress is an American author and the proprietor of Adventures Unlimited Press, a publishing house established in 1984. His company specializes in books covering subjects such as ancient mysteries, unexplained phenomena, pseudohistory, and historical revisionism. Childress's own writings frequently delve into pseudoarchaeological and pseudoscientific themes, including UFOs, secret societies, suppressed technology, cryptozoology, and conspiracy theories. Lacking formal degrees, he has referred to himself as a "rogue archaeologist."

Born in France to American parents and raised in the United States, Childress pursued archaeology at the University of Montana but departed before graduating to travel extensively. His journeys through Asia and Africa led him to discover Richard Kieninger's work, influencing his move to Kieninger's community in Illinois. Childress documented his explorations from the 1970s to the 1990s in his "Lost Cities and Ancient Mysteries" book series. In addition to his writing, he founded the World Explorers Club, which organizes tours and publishes a magazine.

David Hatcher Childress founded Adventures Unlimited Press in 1984, a publishing venture that has released nearly 200 books, many translated into other languages. The press focuses on topics often considered fringe, including ancient civilizations, cryptozoology, and unconventional technologies. Childress himself has authored over a dozen books, drawing inspiration from figures like Erich von Däniken and Thor Heyerdahl. His personal research and writing concentrate on pseudoarchaeological and pseudoscientific subjects. He is known for exploring concepts such as lost continents, ancient mysteries, and suppressed knowledge, often presenting theories that challenge mainstream academic consensus. His work aims to bring attention to alternative interpretations of history and archaeology.

Childress's work has drawn criticism from academics. For instance, Professor Patrick D. Nunn has pointed out Childress's advocacy for pseudoscientific ideas, such as the lost continent of Mu and the levitation-assisted construction of Pacific megaliths. Nunn suggests that the vagueness surrounding the disappearance of Mu allows theorists like Childress to present convincing narratives to audiences lacking extensive knowledge of Pacific geology and cultures. Historical archaeologist Charles E. Orser has also critiqued Childress's writings, specifically regarding his interpretations of sites like Tiahuanaco in Bolivia. Orser notes that Childress has proposed an "Atlantean League" as the builders of such sites, attributing their construction to mythical seafarers with specific physical characteristics, which Orser argues is not supported by historical sources like Plato.

“rogue archaeologist”