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On air dates
NHK Special Secret Civilizations Ancient Inca and Maya
- Episode 1
The Underlying Truth about Incas: Andes - Life with Mummies - Sun 1 July 2007, 9:00 pm - 9:59 pm GTV
(Rebroadcast)
Wed 11 July 2007, 0:10 am - 1:09 am,
<Kanto Region only> 0:40 am -1:39 am GTV - Episode 2
The Incan Empire: Machu Picchu - Road to the Sky - Sun 8 July 2007, 9:00 pm - 9:59 pm GTV
(Rebroadcast)
Wed 18 July 2007, 0:30 am - 1:29 am GTV
Note: The on air time has been changed from the original schedule at 0:10 am - Episode 3
Maya: 2000 Years of Royal Dynasties Deep in the Jungle - Sun 15 July 2007, 9:00 pm - 9:59 pm GTV
Note: The on air schedule of episode 3 has been changed from July 16.
(Rebroadcast)
Thu 19 July 2007, 0:20 am - 1:19 am GTV - Incan, and Mayan Worlds As Seen From The Sky Journey to the Eternal Civilizations
- Mon 30 July 2007, 10:15 pm - 10:50 pm GTV
Note: The on air time has been changed from the original schedule at 10:10 pm
The Incas built up a huge empire in the steep mountains of the Andes, while the Mayas flourished in the vast jungle. The Incan and the Mayan civilizations that developed on their own in Central and South America are full of legends and mysteries. Their descendants have kept their unique traditional ways of life and unbroken cultural heritages, which are interestingly distinctive to other cultures.
Pre-Columbian civilizations are contrary to the long accepted view about the development of civilizations that "any great civilizations developed in valleys of great rivers". Surprisingly, they had neither ironware nor wheels that are considered fundamental elements of advanced ancient civilizations. The Incas even had no written language.
However, the Incas and the Mayas actually established prosperous civilizations, by making use of the natural features of their lands. Their "peculiar" but sophisticated ways to live harmoniously with the nature should suggest the significance of "diversity".
The NHK Special series, Secret Civilizations explores mysterious and exotic worlds of pre-Columbian civilizations, focusing on the latest excavations and the traditional lives of people in Central and South America. With cutting-edge 3D computer graphics as well as with creative use of 2D animations, the series reveals unknown facts about the Incas and the Mayas who successfully built shining civilizations unique from others. What can we learn from the Incas and the Mayas? The series treats viewers to an enjoyable and eye-opening three-hour experience.
Theme Song: Chitose Hajime
HV Series Secret Civilizations Incan, Mayan, and Aztec Worlds
- Prologue
Incan, Mayan, and Aztec Worlds As Seen From The Sky Journey to the Eternal Civilizations - Mon 11 June 2007, 10:00 pm - 10:50 pm BShi
- Episode 1
Mayan and Aztec Civilizations: Royal Dynasties Deep in the Jungle and Empire on the Lake - Tue 12 June 2007, 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm BShi
- Episode 2
The Incan Empire: Machu Picchu - Road to the Sky - Wed 13 June 2007, 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm BShi
- Episode 3
The Underlying Truth about Incas: Andes - Life with Mummies - Thu 14 June 2007, 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm BShi
Steeped in romanticism, Incan, Mayan, and Aztec cultures - pre-Columbian civilizations colored by mythical, legendary places like El Dorado, and the awe-inspiring, enigmatic ancient ruins of Machu Picchu, and colossal pyramids towering in the jungle - have always aroused interest. Today, these civilizations retain their tremendous allure but, curiously, we know little of the respective peoples, ways of life and cultures, deeply shrouded in mystery. Pre-Columbian civilizations developed separately from the rest of the world.
Consequently, they spawned unique cultures with dramatic distinctions to European and Asian cultures.
The Incas flourished in high mountains, while the Mayans thrived in the jungle and the Aztecs on an island in a lake. Breaking a long accepted stereotype about the development of civilizations that "any great civilizations developed on fertile plains on the banks of great rivers", they all constructed brilliant civilizations in the said unfavorable natural environments. Remarkably, in spite of any difficulties, they used the natural features of their land to establish rich, sophisticated civilizations. Their ability to devise amazingly innovative ways to live harmoniously with nature tells us that human civilizations can grow in many, varied ways. It is very important to look at these "peculiar" civilizations and their unique ways, to gain a deeper understanding of the significance of diversity.
Secret Civilizations - Incan, Mayan, and Aztec Worlds is a four-hour series comprising one prologue and three episodes. The first hour is an epic travelogue full of stunning aerial shots taken by a special gyrostabilizer system. The following three episodes unlock the secrets behind the rise, prosperity, and the fall of the Incan, Mayan, and Aztec civilizations. The series explores the Pre-Columbian Mesoamerica colored by a lot of mysteries and myths, looking at latest research results while incorporating entertaining elements. Secret Civilizations - an intellectual adventure back to the curious worlds of the ancient Incas, the Mayas, and the Aztecs.
