Ancient Americas
This section will feature documentaries on the Ancient Americas. Documentaries on North, Central, and South America will be featured in this section. The focus of this section will show documentaries pre-Columbus contact.
The Mysteries of the Chinchorro Mummies - YouTube (49:45)
The Chinchorro Mummies mummies are the oldest in the world and they are found in Chile. They came from a people who believed they could conquer death. The first settlers lived on fishing. In 1993, there was a sensational find in Chile: the bodies of the earliest people. These bodies were well preserved and were the oldest mummies in the world. What can these bodies tell us about the Chinchorro people? How do these mummies compare with the Ancient Egyptians? *This documentary is highly recommended for a South American history class as well as an anthropology class.*
1491: The Story of North America Before Columbus Episode 1 (47:25) Episode 2 (46:56) Episode 3 (47:29) Episode 4 (47:15) Episode 5 (46:40) Episode 6 (48:40) Episode 7 (47:23)
The First Nations crossed oceans and settled on the North American Continent. The First Nations people navigated their world by the stars. They crossed mountains and rivers. They built a variety of trade networks. Their people built civilizations. In 1492 their lives changed with the arrival of Christopher Columbus. So what were the stories of the First Nations before Columbus? *Highly recommended for a high school classroom, certain episodes can also be used in the art classroom as well!*
America Unearthed: Ancient Mayans Secrets in Georgia – YouTube (43:37)
Did the Mayans settle in Georgia? Are their pyramids in Georgia? Scott Wolter: explorer and geologist, explores this intriguing question in the episode Ancient Mayan Secrets in Georgia. Manmade rock formations are discovered. Artifacts are found. Does this evidence point to the fact that the Mayans lived in Georgia? *Recommended for research purposes for high school students, middle school students, and independent study students.*
America Unearthed: The Ancient Voyagers of America - YouTube (40:43)
Scott Wolter continues his exploration into the hidden history of America. In today’s episode, he explores early voyages and the voyagers to America. He begins by learning about the Polynesian voyages. They were the first people who sailed to Hawaii and they may have made their way to the American mainland. So what is the proof of these early voyages? Wolter looks to find that proof of the earlier voyages. *Recommended for high school students, middle school students, and independent study students.*
Tiwanaku: The South American Stonehenge - YouTube (47:50)
Alexei Vranichi, a University of Pennsylvania researcher, is on an expedition to discover how the people who built Tiwanaku transported their stones across Lake Titicaca. He enlists the help of Paul Harmon who was a sailor and adventurer. How do these two men solve the mystery of how the stones traveled across Lake Titicaca? How does one transport stones to their present site? What does this experience tell us about the Tiwanaku people? Where did these giant blocks come from? *Highly recommended for both a history and science classroom.*
Aztecs - YouTube (45:49)
Tenochtitlan was the capital of the Aztec Empire. It would grow from humble roots in present-day Mexico. They would eventually build great temples dedicated to their gods. Tenochtitlan would grow into a grand city in the Ancient American world. Unfortunately, the ancient city is lost beneath the streets of Mexico City. However, what was the wider Aztec Empire like? What were its secrets? How did the Aztec Empire operate? *Not recommended for a history classroom.*
Revenge of Cortez - YouTube (49:12)
It was one of the greatest cities in Central America It rulers were the most famous in history. In 1519, Hernan Cortez arrived to Tenochtitlan. He was the man who would conquer the Aztec empire. After initial set backs, Cortez and his forces would manage to escape the great city. They would return with allies to attack Tenochtitlan again. This time, the Aztec capital would fall after a series of battles and sieges. *Recommended for a history class.*
Canyon Cannibals - YouTube (48:11)
The Anasazi, in the southwestern United States, were thought of as peaceful farmers. Their society was thought of as utopian by historians and archeologists. They observed the stars and grew maize. They were the earliest urban planners. However, they suddenly disappeared from the landscape leaving their buildings behind. Unfortunately, this has changed with new and startling research. This research suggests a far darker side to these people. What was discovered still shocks people today: Cannibalism. So did the Anasazi really practice cannibalism or were they victims? *Not recommended for a classroom setting.*
Inca
Inca Island in the Sky - YouTube (44:23)
The Inca were the greatest civilization that South America produced, but what came before them? What inspired the Incas to build the empire? They crafted grand cities. The Inca were famous for their terracing. One of those cities was Manchu Pichu. What inspired the Inca to build these cities? Was there an earlier civilization? What evidence is there? Where do Albert Lin’s travels take him through Peru? *Recommended for both a history class and a technology class.*
Skeletons of the Inca Rebellion - YouTube (44:24)
In the shadow of Lima Peru lies a graveyard containing skeletons. Guillermo Cock, an expert in the Inca Empire was sent to the site to investigate any remains. He is joined by fellow archeologist Elena Goycochea. This site was going to be covered with a highway. A test trench was built and what was found astonished Guillermo. It would lead to a change in the understanding of Incan History. What was found at this site? Why would it lead to the rewriting of Incan history? *Highly recommended for both a history and science classroom.*
The Lost City of Gold - YouTube (50:15)
The Inca ruled South America for years. They were the people of the sun. They built grand cities. Eventually, they would be destroyed by the Spanish in their quest for gold. David Adams is on a search for a lost city of gold. These were cities that were never sacked by the Spanish. Perhaps hidden in these jungles is the legendary “Great Sun Disk of the Incas.” Will David Adams find this lost city, tune into this episode to find out. *Recommended for a high school and middle school history classroom.*
Maya History
Quest for the Lost City - YouTube (48:23)
A set of panels turned up in a private collection. They were created by the Mayans. These panels are a clue to a mystery. The city from where these panels came is lost in the Central American jungles. The quality of the panels hints that the city was huge. They call the site of this missing city Site Q. It is the most lost Mayan city. This is a documentary about the search for this lost city. *Recommended as a bonus documentary for middle school and high school classrooms.*
Breaking the Maya Code - YouTube (21:58)
In 1965, Russian linguist Yuri Knorosov cracked the Maya Code. It is about Copan, a Mayan site. It had been abandoned before the Spanish explorers came to Central America. When they stumbled onto the remains of Copan, they stumbled upon a mystery. What did the pictures on the ruins mean? What stories were hidden in these pictures? Cracking the Maya Code is an older documentary. *Recommended for a high school and middle school history classroom.*
Decoding the Baqtun - YouTube (1:21:20)
Elisabeth Thieriot embarks on a journey to dispel the myths of the Mayan Calendar in Decoding the Baqtun. On December 21, 2012, everyone believed that the end of the world was going to happen. This was the result of the belief in the Mayan calendar that predicted the end of the World. The Mayan prophecy stated that there was going to be an apocalypse. The events in the world at the time seemed to lean toward that prophecy. However, December 21, 2012, passed and life went on as normal. So, what is the story of the Mayan Calendar? *Not recommended for the history classroom.*
The Mayan Civilization - YouTube (50:14)
The Maya Civilization thrived for three thousand years in Central America. They were a people united by language and architecture but were independent. They were geniuses at mathematics. They carved a living out of the jungle. They built great cities and often found themselves at odds with each other. By 900 the cities were abandoned. Why did such a thriving civilization collapse? What can archeology tell us about the collapse of the Maya Civilization? *Recommended for a high school and middle school history classroom.*
Lost World of the Maya - YouTube (44:42)
The Central American jungles still have secrets to reveal. Using the latest in technology, historians and archeologists are learning more about the Maya. The Maya were a people who Maya built extraordinary monuments. They also built monumental cities and mastered astronomy and mathematics. Their exploits were legendary and they would inspire generations of explorers to go into the jungle. So what can technology do to expand the understanding of the Maya? *NOT recommended for a history or science class.*
Treasure Tombs of the Ancient Maya - Episode 1 (47:56) Episode 2 (47:57)
The Mayan Civilization is still revealing its secrets. Its cities have been hidden in the jungle for decades. The jungle covering has obscured the true size of ancient Mayan Cities. As part of a two-year exploration and using the latest in technology the jungle is scanned to learn more about the Mayan civilization. A Mayan pyramid is also examined to look for a hidden tomb. Who were they? How did they live and die? *Recommended for a history class.*
The Children of the Sun: The Maya - YouTube (52:06)
The Mayans built gigantic cities more than 2000 years ago. These cities were built in the middle of the jungle of Central America. It was here that they would develop a system of writing, mathematics, and astronomy. The Mayan Calendar is considered both a wonder and a masterpiece. When did they settle in Central America? For long did they live in Central America? What drove them to build huge cities? Why did the Maya suddenly decline? What would have led to their decline? Will the mystery of the Mayan decline be revealed? *Recommended for a history class.*
Lost Kingdoms of South America
People of the Clouds - YouTube (54:03)
Dr. Jago Cooper explores the ancient kingdoms of South America. For the most part, the Inca dominate the history textbooks. Cooper explores other kingdoms that had an impact on South America. The first kingdom is the “People of the Clouds.” They are a mysterious civilization. He starts off his exploration in Lima to learn more about the People of the Clouds. He goes into the Andes to explore the remnants of the civilization. *Highly recommended for a history class and independent study students.*
The Stone at the Center - YouTube (54:01)
Dr. Jago Cooper is exploring a second lost civilization of South America in the Stone at the Center. They are from Bolivia and live in the Andes. They left behind a spectacular temple. This temple was the heart of this civilization. The temple stands at the height of 13,000 feet. This civilization lasted over 500 years even though the Andes provided a challenging environment. They should not have thrived, but they did. *Highly recommended for a history class.*
Lands of Gold - YouTube (53:09)
In the Land of Gold, Jago Cooper explores another lost kingdom of South America. Cooper explores both the Muisca and Tairona. Their gold carvings drew the Spanish conquistadors into their lands. Was the land of El Dorado hidden in Columbia? Both cultures were skilled in gold making. Cooper explores this myth and teaches about the Muisca and Tairona cultures. Columbia was on the way to the Inca Homeland. *Highly recommended for a history class.*
Kingdom of the Desert - YouTube (54:00)
The Lost Kingdoms of South America concludes with the Chimor of Peru. They came from the sea. The Chimor built one of the largest pre-Columbia cities in North America. Once they accomplished that, they seemed to have disappeared into the desert from which they emerged. Cooper examines one last culture to help put them in their place among the Incas. *Highly recommended for a history classroom and independent study students.*
Lost Kingdoms of Central America
Kingdom of the Jaguar - YouTube (59:02)
Dr. Jago Cooper explores the Lost Kingdoms of Central America. The first episode in this series is called Kingdom of the Jaguar. Cooper starts off his journey exploring a cave that the people believed was a tunnel to the underworld. This civilization rose out of the marshes of Southern Mexico. They built the first pyramids. They are known as the Olmec. They came before the Mayan People. *Highly recommended for a history class.*
The People Who Greeted Columbus - YouTube (59:02)
In Lost Kingdoms of Central America episode 2 “The People who Greeted Columbus,” Jago Cooper explores the Taino civilization. He explores their origins, their myths, and the people. This civilization was the one that greeted Columbus. It was where primitive life met progress. This episode is a reexamination of the cultures Columbus encountered. Please forgive the sound quality and issues throughout this video. *Recommended for use in the classroom.*
Between Oceans and Empires - VIDEO NO LONGER AVAILABLE
The Lost Kingdoms of Central America continues in Between Empires and Oceans. Dr. Jago Cooper starts off his journey in Costa Rica. Archeologists ignored the country for decades, unaware of a hidden civilization so close. They built cities and carved a living out of the landscape. When Columbus found this civilization the people were covered head to toe in gold. So why was this civilization ignored? *Highly recommended for a history class.*
The Land Where Time Began - YouTube (59:02)
The Lost Kingdoms of Central America concludes with the “Place Where Time Began.” Dr. Jago Cooper explores the Teotihuacan civilization. For hundreds of years, it was the biggest state in the world. They built huge pyramids. However, nobody knows the identity of this civilization. Dr. Cooper tries to find out more about this final mysterious civilization. *Highly recommended for a history class. Also recommended for independent study students.*
The Chinchorro Mummies mummies are the oldest in the world and they are found in Chile. They came from a people who believed they could conquer death. The first settlers lived on fishing. In 1993, there was a sensational find in Chile: the bodies of the earliest people. These bodies were well preserved and were the oldest mummies in the world. What can these bodies tell us about the Chinchorro people? How do these mummies compare with the Ancient Egyptians? *This documentary is highly recommended for a South American history class as well as an anthropology class.*
1491: The Story of North America Before Columbus Episode 1 (47:25) Episode 2 (46:56) Episode 3 (47:29) Episode 4 (47:15) Episode 5 (46:40) Episode 6 (48:40) Episode 7 (47:23)
The First Nations crossed oceans and settled on the North American Continent. The First Nations people navigated their world by the stars. They crossed mountains and rivers. They built a variety of trade networks. Their people built civilizations. In 1492 their lives changed with the arrival of Christopher Columbus. So what were the stories of the First Nations before Columbus? *Highly recommended for a high school classroom, certain episodes can also be used in the art classroom as well!*
America Unearthed: Ancient Mayans Secrets in Georgia – YouTube (43:37)
Did the Mayans settle in Georgia? Are their pyramids in Georgia? Scott Wolter: explorer and geologist, explores this intriguing question in the episode Ancient Mayan Secrets in Georgia. Manmade rock formations are discovered. Artifacts are found. Does this evidence point to the fact that the Mayans lived in Georgia? *Recommended for research purposes for high school students, middle school students, and independent study students.*
America Unearthed: The Ancient Voyagers of America - YouTube (40:43)
Scott Wolter continues his exploration into the hidden history of America. In today’s episode, he explores early voyages and the voyagers to America. He begins by learning about the Polynesian voyages. They were the first people who sailed to Hawaii and they may have made their way to the American mainland. So what is the proof of these early voyages? Wolter looks to find that proof of the earlier voyages. *Recommended for high school students, middle school students, and independent study students.*
Tiwanaku: The South American Stonehenge - YouTube (47:50)
Alexei Vranichi, a University of Pennsylvania researcher, is on an expedition to discover how the people who built Tiwanaku transported their stones across Lake Titicaca. He enlists the help of Paul Harmon who was a sailor and adventurer. How do these two men solve the mystery of how the stones traveled across Lake Titicaca? How does one transport stones to their present site? What does this experience tell us about the Tiwanaku people? Where did these giant blocks come from? *Highly recommended for both a history and science classroom.*
Aztecs - YouTube (45:49)
Tenochtitlan was the capital of the Aztec Empire. It would grow from humble roots in present-day Mexico. They would eventually build great temples dedicated to their gods. Tenochtitlan would grow into a grand city in the Ancient American world. Unfortunately, the ancient city is lost beneath the streets of Mexico City. However, what was the wider Aztec Empire like? What were its secrets? How did the Aztec Empire operate? *Not recommended for a history classroom.*
Revenge of Cortez - YouTube (49:12)
It was one of the greatest cities in Central America It rulers were the most famous in history. In 1519, Hernan Cortez arrived to Tenochtitlan. He was the man who would conquer the Aztec empire. After initial set backs, Cortez and his forces would manage to escape the great city. They would return with allies to attack Tenochtitlan again. This time, the Aztec capital would fall after a series of battles and sieges. *Recommended for a history class.*
Canyon Cannibals - YouTube (48:11)
The Anasazi, in the southwestern United States, were thought of as peaceful farmers. Their society was thought of as utopian by historians and archeologists. They observed the stars and grew maize. They were the earliest urban planners. However, they suddenly disappeared from the landscape leaving their buildings behind. Unfortunately, this has changed with new and startling research. This research suggests a far darker side to these people. What was discovered still shocks people today: Cannibalism. So did the Anasazi really practice cannibalism or were they victims? *Not recommended for a classroom setting.*
Inca
Inca Island in the Sky - YouTube (44:23)
The Inca were the greatest civilization that South America produced, but what came before them? What inspired the Incas to build the empire? They crafted grand cities. The Inca were famous for their terracing. One of those cities was Manchu Pichu. What inspired the Inca to build these cities? Was there an earlier civilization? What evidence is there? Where do Albert Lin’s travels take him through Peru? *Recommended for both a history class and a technology class.*
Skeletons of the Inca Rebellion - YouTube (44:24)
In the shadow of Lima Peru lies a graveyard containing skeletons. Guillermo Cock, an expert in the Inca Empire was sent to the site to investigate any remains. He is joined by fellow archeologist Elena Goycochea. This site was going to be covered with a highway. A test trench was built and what was found astonished Guillermo. It would lead to a change in the understanding of Incan History. What was found at this site? Why would it lead to the rewriting of Incan history? *Highly recommended for both a history and science classroom.*
The Lost City of Gold - YouTube (50:15)
The Inca ruled South America for years. They were the people of the sun. They built grand cities. Eventually, they would be destroyed by the Spanish in their quest for gold. David Adams is on a search for a lost city of gold. These were cities that were never sacked by the Spanish. Perhaps hidden in these jungles is the legendary “Great Sun Disk of the Incas.” Will David Adams find this lost city, tune into this episode to find out. *Recommended for a high school and middle school history classroom.*
Maya History
Quest for the Lost City - YouTube (48:23)
A set of panels turned up in a private collection. They were created by the Mayans. These panels are a clue to a mystery. The city from where these panels came is lost in the Central American jungles. The quality of the panels hints that the city was huge. They call the site of this missing city Site Q. It is the most lost Mayan city. This is a documentary about the search for this lost city. *Recommended as a bonus documentary for middle school and high school classrooms.*
Breaking the Maya Code - YouTube (21:58)
In 1965, Russian linguist Yuri Knorosov cracked the Maya Code. It is about Copan, a Mayan site. It had been abandoned before the Spanish explorers came to Central America. When they stumbled onto the remains of Copan, they stumbled upon a mystery. What did the pictures on the ruins mean? What stories were hidden in these pictures? Cracking the Maya Code is an older documentary. *Recommended for a high school and middle school history classroom.*
Decoding the Baqtun - YouTube (1:21:20)
Elisabeth Thieriot embarks on a journey to dispel the myths of the Mayan Calendar in Decoding the Baqtun. On December 21, 2012, everyone believed that the end of the world was going to happen. This was the result of the belief in the Mayan calendar that predicted the end of the World. The Mayan prophecy stated that there was going to be an apocalypse. The events in the world at the time seemed to lean toward that prophecy. However, December 21, 2012, passed and life went on as normal. So, what is the story of the Mayan Calendar? *Not recommended for the history classroom.*
The Mayan Civilization - YouTube (50:14)
The Maya Civilization thrived for three thousand years in Central America. They were a people united by language and architecture but were independent. They were geniuses at mathematics. They carved a living out of the jungle. They built great cities and often found themselves at odds with each other. By 900 the cities were abandoned. Why did such a thriving civilization collapse? What can archeology tell us about the collapse of the Maya Civilization? *Recommended for a high school and middle school history classroom.*
Lost World of the Maya - YouTube (44:42)
The Central American jungles still have secrets to reveal. Using the latest in technology, historians and archeologists are learning more about the Maya. The Maya were a people who Maya built extraordinary monuments. They also built monumental cities and mastered astronomy and mathematics. Their exploits were legendary and they would inspire generations of explorers to go into the jungle. So what can technology do to expand the understanding of the Maya? *NOT recommended for a history or science class.*
Treasure Tombs of the Ancient Maya - Episode 1 (47:56) Episode 2 (47:57)
The Mayan Civilization is still revealing its secrets. Its cities have been hidden in the jungle for decades. The jungle covering has obscured the true size of ancient Mayan Cities. As part of a two-year exploration and using the latest in technology the jungle is scanned to learn more about the Mayan civilization. A Mayan pyramid is also examined to look for a hidden tomb. Who were they? How did they live and die? *Recommended for a history class.*
The Children of the Sun: The Maya - YouTube (52:06)
The Mayans built gigantic cities more than 2000 years ago. These cities were built in the middle of the jungle of Central America. It was here that they would develop a system of writing, mathematics, and astronomy. The Mayan Calendar is considered both a wonder and a masterpiece. When did they settle in Central America? For long did they live in Central America? What drove them to build huge cities? Why did the Maya suddenly decline? What would have led to their decline? Will the mystery of the Mayan decline be revealed? *Recommended for a history class.*
Lost Kingdoms of South America
People of the Clouds - YouTube (54:03)
Dr. Jago Cooper explores the ancient kingdoms of South America. For the most part, the Inca dominate the history textbooks. Cooper explores other kingdoms that had an impact on South America. The first kingdom is the “People of the Clouds.” They are a mysterious civilization. He starts off his exploration in Lima to learn more about the People of the Clouds. He goes into the Andes to explore the remnants of the civilization. *Highly recommended for a history class and independent study students.*
The Stone at the Center - YouTube (54:01)
Dr. Jago Cooper is exploring a second lost civilization of South America in the Stone at the Center. They are from Bolivia and live in the Andes. They left behind a spectacular temple. This temple was the heart of this civilization. The temple stands at the height of 13,000 feet. This civilization lasted over 500 years even though the Andes provided a challenging environment. They should not have thrived, but they did. *Highly recommended for a history class.*
Lands of Gold - YouTube (53:09)
In the Land of Gold, Jago Cooper explores another lost kingdom of South America. Cooper explores both the Muisca and Tairona. Their gold carvings drew the Spanish conquistadors into their lands. Was the land of El Dorado hidden in Columbia? Both cultures were skilled in gold making. Cooper explores this myth and teaches about the Muisca and Tairona cultures. Columbia was on the way to the Inca Homeland. *Highly recommended for a history class.*
Kingdom of the Desert - YouTube (54:00)
The Lost Kingdoms of South America concludes with the Chimor of Peru. They came from the sea. The Chimor built one of the largest pre-Columbia cities in North America. Once they accomplished that, they seemed to have disappeared into the desert from which they emerged. Cooper examines one last culture to help put them in their place among the Incas. *Highly recommended for a history classroom and independent study students.*
Lost Kingdoms of Central America
Kingdom of the Jaguar - YouTube (59:02)
Dr. Jago Cooper explores the Lost Kingdoms of Central America. The first episode in this series is called Kingdom of the Jaguar. Cooper starts off his journey exploring a cave that the people believed was a tunnel to the underworld. This civilization rose out of the marshes of Southern Mexico. They built the first pyramids. They are known as the Olmec. They came before the Mayan People. *Highly recommended for a history class.*
The People Who Greeted Columbus - YouTube (59:02)
In Lost Kingdoms of Central America episode 2 “The People who Greeted Columbus,” Jago Cooper explores the Taino civilization. He explores their origins, their myths, and the people. This civilization was the one that greeted Columbus. It was where primitive life met progress. This episode is a reexamination of the cultures Columbus encountered. Please forgive the sound quality and issues throughout this video. *Recommended for use in the classroom.*
Between Oceans and Empires - VIDEO NO LONGER AVAILABLE
The Lost Kingdoms of Central America continues in Between Empires and Oceans. Dr. Jago Cooper starts off his journey in Costa Rica. Archeologists ignored the country for decades, unaware of a hidden civilization so close. They built cities and carved a living out of the landscape. When Columbus found this civilization the people were covered head to toe in gold. So why was this civilization ignored? *Highly recommended for a history class.*
The Land Where Time Began - YouTube (59:02)
The Lost Kingdoms of Central America concludes with the “Place Where Time Began.” Dr. Jago Cooper explores the Teotihuacan civilization. For hundreds of years, it was the biggest state in the world. They built huge pyramids. However, nobody knows the identity of this civilization. Dr. Cooper tries to find out more about this final mysterious civilization. *Highly recommended for a history class. Also recommended for independent study students.*
List Updated on June 23, 2024
