Michael Wood visits Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico in Central America to study the history. Subscribe to Our History: https://bit.ly/3v5mKBG

The continuing legacy of the Maya and the Aztec civilisations, societies which developed independently of the Old World. Loo in the 16th and 17th century, and which continue to survive despite the spread of consumer values from North America. Also suggests common patterns in human development by comparing Mayan and Inca use of symbol, ritual and writing with that of ancient Old World civilisations. The programme is filmed at Chichicastenango in the highlands of Quiche Maya in Guatemala; the Olmec settlement of La (1000 B.C.); the Mayan sites of Copan in Honduras (5th - 9th century A.D.), Tikal, and Flores in North Guatemala; Teotihuacan in the Valley of Mexico, the first true urban civilisation in Central America which appeared in the first millenium A.D. and where the Maya believed that creation began; Mexico City, the largest city on earth, and site of the great 14th century Aztec city of Tenochtitlan; the former capital of Antigua, built by the Spanish after their conquest of Guatemala; and the present day capital of Guatemala City, where many Indians now live in poverty. Also visits the annual Mayan festival of Wahxakib Batz (Eight Monkey) which (through translator) Mayan shaman, Andres Xiloj.

This film was first broadcast: 1992

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