Cities of the Sky

Harvard professor of Religion David Carrasco speaks on religion in general and Teotihuacan in particular. He finds common elements that address the creation of the world, otherworldly powers, and peoples relationship to those powers.

Choctaw scholar Ian Thompson reflects on the ancient American tradition of earthen mounds and mound cultures. They are an underrepresented major feature of people who have lived in the Americas for over ten-thousand years.

Choctaw scholar Ian Thompson reflects on the bitter chapter of history commonly called the Trail of Tears. From a deeply personal perspective he recounts one of US history’s most notorious injustices against Native peoples who were actually allies of the US.

Archaeologist Timothy Pauketet and his team work to uncover remains of a celestial calendar at Cahokia.

Harvard Archaeologist and Quechua shaman demonstrate historical and contemporary spiritual importance of Incan Huacas.

Cahokia researchers uses new LiDAR technology to map the layout of this ancient city.

Art historian Mary Miller uncovers why this magnificent structure is built at an angle to the rest of the city.

Archaeologists investigate Cahokian human sacrifice.

Discover the cosmological secrets behind America’s ancient cities. Scientists explore some of the world’s largest pyramids and 3D-scan a lost city of monumental mounds on the Mississippi River; native elders reveal ancient powers of the sky.