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NOVA: Ancient Builders of the Amazon

Archaeological discoveries reveal traces of ancient civilizations in the Amazon

  • Christina Zeiders

 Jaen Huaca / WGBH Educational Foundation

Who lived in the ancient Amazon? What was life like for them? NOVA and a team of archaeologists set out to answer these questions and more in Ancient Builders of the Amazon.

Watch the long-standing myths surrounding the history of the Amazon unravel on February 15 at 9pm on WITF TV or the PBS app, or stream it on demand for free until March 16.

NOVA: Ancient Builders of the Amazon premieres on February 15 at 9pm on WITF TV and the free PBS app. Stream it on demand for free until March 16.

Recent and important archeological finds are exploding the myth of the Amazon as a primeval wilderness, revealing traces of ancient civilizations that flourished there for centuries.

Dense settlements and structures indicate urban complexes with populations in the millions. These ancient societies were supported by sophisticated agricultural systems, while huge geometric earthworks and roadways give evidence to complex religious ideas and intricate social networks.

More from NOVA | Ice Age Footprints

The evidence is clear that the Amazon was far from being an untouched wilderness and has been — instead — shaped by humans for millennia.

Watch the premiere of NOVA: Ancient Builders of the Amazon on February 15 at 9pm on WITF TV or stream it free using the PBS app until March 16.

 

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