The lost kingdoms of South America

This fascinating documentary series was first shown in January 2013 on BBC4 and is presented by the engaging Dr. Jago Cooper, who looks at some of South America’s forgotten civilizations and the legacy of once mighty empires that they spread over large areas at the height of their success.

Although the episodes are no longer available to watch on BBC Iplayer if you missed them the first time around, you can head to the British Museum, which has put together a special exhibition to showcase exhibits from each of the ancient cultures featured in the series. These programs offer an amazing insight into some of the sites and civilizations that few have heard of, such as the Chimú, Tiwanaku, Chachapoyan and Muisca cultures, often predating or contemporary with the more well-known Inca civilization. From the initial burial sites and carefully preserved mummies of the Chachapoyan people of northern Peru to the intricately designed farming terraces delicately in tune with their surroundings at Tiwanaku near Lake Titicaca, it demonstrates the great diversity of South American history beyond the well documented empire of the Incas.

Having visited all of these regions myself, with the exception of the Lost City in the Santa Marta mountains in Colombia, it reinforced the fact that South America has so many hidden corners to explore beyond those celebrated sites like Machu Picchu. The Lost Citadel will always be on the wish list of anyone who visits Peru and with good reason. Admittedly, the latter is a truly impressive archaeological site and one not to be missed, despite the crowds it attracts. But perhaps the thought of being the fourth person in that day’s guestbook in Kuelap where you can discover more about the mysterious Chachapoyans is enough to convince you to dig a little deeper off the beaten historical path.

So now, Dr. Jago has made me want to go back to Colombia and walk to the ‘Lost City’ and walk the beautiful and deserted beaches of Tayrona. You may also have to go back to the Museo del Oro in Bogotá – it takes time to explore the 6000 artifacts on display there and I know there are many more beautiful artifacts to explore at the British Museum to bring these fascinating ancient civilizations back to life. . If Dr. Cooper decides to return for a second series, I hope that he will turn his attention to Central America, perhaps exploring the little-known sites of Aztec and Mayan ancestors, such as the Toltec and Olmec of Teotihuacan, just outside of the city. from Mexico, to El Tajín overlooking the Gulf of Mexico.