 
In Search of History - Lost City of the Incas (History Channel)
Average Rating: 4.0 Total Reviews: 1
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 On: 2007-01-18
Ive visited Machu Picchu, and I suppose I was looking to re-live some happy vacation memories, but I found the footage a bit disappointing. Basically, we have one angle looking down on the city, but no reverse angle to see where the camera person stood, and these views are equally magnificent. There was no mention of the Gateway to the Sun, nor the trail leading to it from the city. I realize there were time constraints, but I would have preferred seeing this as opposed to time spent on Cusco (or Cuzco depending on your nationality).
That being said, I think they did a good job of touching on Inca history. Not enough information to do a paper on their civilization, but to the average viewer, enough insight to introduce an often glossed over culture.
Certainly worth the time to watch it, but if youre looking for a comprehensive study on either Machu Picchu or the Inca, this isnt it.
 On: 2006-09-18
This was really about Machu Picchu more than about the Incas themselves. I am in awe that centuries ago, people could build something so amazing from an architectural perspective. I am pleased that the ancient Egyptians werent the only great builders. Still, this work left me frustrated.
I wanted to learn more about the Incas themselves. When they showed modern Incas performing ancient ceremonies, I was most interested. I loved learning that they blended their religion with Catholicism, rather than religion absolutely dying out. Thus, Santeria and candomble arent the only syncretic religions in Latin America. The work shows drawings, from both indigenous and Spanish artists, depicting the invasionary times of the 1500s. Why not show more of that? Does the Inca language still survive? The disc never says. The disc implies that some Yale professor found Machu Picchu within the last 100 years, almost like a newer Leonard Woolf. I wonder if modern Incas knew about it, but just didnt tell anyone.
Sometimes this disc stretches things out unnecessarily. For example, the narrator says, "The Incas scarified children. Did they use Machu Picchu for that? Probably not, since no bodies have been found there." Hello! Just say, "It probably wasnt a place of human sacrifice because no bodies have been found there."
This disc only showed American professors as interviewees. It should have show Peruvians, whether of Spanish or indigenous descent, speaking too. I heard that the day of the Western anthropologist is gone: plenty of countries have their own experts who can excavate and curate. This disc doesnt address that at all, though. For those wanting to teach young children, they could show this non-fictional work alongside Disneys "Emperors New Groove."
On: 2006-09-17
This was really about Machu Picchu more than about the Incas themselves. I am in awe that centuries ago, people could build something so amazing from an architectural perspective. I am pleased that the ancient Egyptians werent the only great builders. Still, this work left me frustrated.
I wanted to learn more about the Incas themselves. When they showed modern Incas performing ancient ceremonies, I was most interested. I loved learning that they blended their religion with Catholicism, rather than religion absolutely dying out. Thus, Santeria and candomble arent the only syncretic religions in Latin America. The work shows drawings, from both indigenous and Spanish artists, depicting the invasionary times of the 1500s. Why not show more of that? Does the Inca language still survive? The disc never says. The disc implies that some Yale professor found Machu Picchu within the last 100 years, almost like a newer Leonard Woolf. I wonder if modern Incas knew about it, but just didnt tell anyone.
Sometimes this disc stretches things out unnecessarily. For example, the narrator says, "The Incas scarified children. Did they use Machu Picchu for that? Probably not, since no bodies have been found there." Hello! Just say, "It probably wasnt a place of human sacrifice because no bodies have been found there."
This disc only showed American professors as interviewees. It should have show Peruvians, whether of Spanish or indigenous descent, speaking too. I heard that the day of the Western anthropologist is gone: plenty of countries have their own experts who can excavate and curate. This disc doesnt address that at all, though. For those wanting to teach young children, they could show this non-fictional work alongside Disneys "Emperors New Groove."
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