Mark Olly was born in 1962 in Warrington, England, and educated at Appleton Hall County Grammar School, Warrington College of Art & Design, the University of Liverpool Institute of Extension Studies field archaeology unit, various business schools, and El-Shaddai College of Advanced Ministry UK Manchester, where he obtained a Certificate of Ministry and Diploma of Biblical Studies.
For over 22 years, he worked as a professional DJ, musician, and in music management, founding Angelharp Music, Unicorn Entertainments Agency Ltd., and Legendthink Ltd, before moving on to pursue a solo career as a writer, archaeologist, and television presenter. This career has so far taken him to all parts of the UK, France, Egypt, Norway, Italy, Bulgaria, Cyprus, and the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico searching for the ancient and the mysterious.