The Andean region was home to a long line of fascinating civilisations. Each one had its own interesting culture and ingenious ways of overcoming their environments. This episode traces the social evolution of the area from the earliest cities to the first empires. Along the way we will encounter the mysterious Nazca lines, strange wind powered waterholes and the largest pre-Columbian structure in the Americas. ...
In November 1519 Cortez entered Mexico city. What would happen when these two alien civilisations met? The coming months would among the most decisive of the conquest, but they would also be the strangest. ...
Columbus' third voyage was less about exploration and more about the governance of his fledgling colony. Despite this he would reach the American mainland for the first time and venture further south than he had before. Meanwhile, things in the colony were not going well and things were slipping out of Columbus' control. ...