Overview

• Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) has filed a lawsuit against Full Circle Media, accusing the company of violating permit terms by monetizing footage of archaeological sites.
• INAH confirmed MrBeast’s filming was authorized but stated key scenes, including drone flights, helicopter descents, and overnight stays, were fabricated in post-production.
• The video, which has amassed over 60 million views, also features a contemporary replica mask misrepresented as an authentic artifact, according to INAH.
• President Claudia Sheinbaum and Culture Secretary Claudia Curiel de Icaza are investigating the conditions under which filming permissions were granted and considering sanctions.
• Despite criticism, officials acknowledged the video’s potential to engage younger audiences in learning about Mexico’s ancestral cultures.