DVD. Secrets Of Lost Empires Did they do it with mirrors? That's one of the more bizarre explanations NOVA looks into while trying to reconstruct the mysterious building techniques of the Inca, the remarkable civilization who ruled the Peruvian Andes 500 years ago. "The Incas had...no arch, no wheel, no codified mathematics," marvels one anthropologist. "They couldn't even write." So how did they erect their magnificent, earthquake-enduring citadels in the clouds-without mortar, iron tools, or draft animals-out of huge blocks of interlocking stone? Follow a diverse team of experts as they chip away at some theories, using only the traditional tools available to the Incas centuries ago. Hundreds of villagers join in the effort to haul these wieldy blocks across water and steep terrain, armed with long ropes-and collective muscle power. The Incas built breathtaking suspension bridges out of grass, an art still known to a handful of Andean villagers today. watch how (in an astonishing three days!) blades of grass are harvested, twisted into strands, and braided into the cables of a 100-foot gossamer-like bridge, swaying high above the raging river-but sturdy enough for even the queasiest NOVA researcher to walk across.

DVD. Global Treasures. 10 Minutes. Today a proud symbol of the Conquistadores, the historic Spanish conquerors, towers over the town of Cuzco in Peru's mountains. Prior to the arrival of the Spanish, Cuzco lay at the centre of the Inca world and was the capital and religious centre of an immense kingdom. The unique combination of Spanish and Inca culture is apparent in the attractive architecture of the town. Typical characteristics of the houses are the overhanging tiled roofs and beautiful old balconies. One of the town's most extravagant colonial buildings, the Compa??a De Jes?s Church in the Plaza De Armas Square, was built on mighty Inca foundations. Some of Cuzco's streets still display the impressive and sturdy architecture of the Inca people. Attractive houses line the former procession roads of the Inca that led from the main square, today's Plaza De Armas, to the Sun Temple. Although historic, Cuzco is full of mystery and speculation with regard to its famous Inca predecessors.

DVD. Global Treasures. 10 Minutes. The Iglesia De San Francisco and its adjacent monastery is one of the most important historic monuments in Lima, the capital of Peru. Soon after Francisco Pizarro founded Lima in 1535 Franciscan friars began to build the monastery. The Iglesia De San Francisco, the Holy Francis Of Assisi Church and the neighbouring monastery, form the country's largest religious complex and date back to the colonial period. The Iglesia De San Francisco's outstandingly beautiful fa?ade and most notably its wonderful porch are unique in the whole of Peru. The decorative sculptures are reminiscent of Baroque design and are highly detailed and extremely precious. The Franciscan monastery is surrounded by two impressive sacred buildings the Mary?s Solitude and the Church Of Our Dear Lady of Miracles.

DVD. Global Treasures. 10 Minutes. On the journey to Chavin De Huantar, one of the oldest cult locations in Peru, there's the fascinating world of the Andes that seems to touch the clouds. Radiant colour and pure Nature are constant companions on the 109 kilometre route from Huarez to these ancient ruins. The settlement of Chavin De Huantar has a history that dates back 3000 years. Even today little is known of the exact way of life of the Chavin culture as no written history of it has been discovered. Thus, research is restricted to the archaeology that has been uncovered that also includes various stone images. Snakes, animals, and birds engraved in stone have been among the most commonly found images of this mysterious culture. Assisted by beautiful flat reliefs even today numerous temples and fortresses show the artistic talents of Chavin culture. During the first millennium A.D., this seven hectare area was the most important place of pilgrimage in Peru. In the oldest section there are entrances to a subterranean world where an assortment of labyrinth-like passages and rooms extend down almost seven floors. The scant light that manages to find its way into the narrow passageways adds to the mysterious atmosphere of this ancient architectural masterpiece. For the inhabitants of Peru's mountains in the first millennium B.C., Chavin De Huantar symbolised the beginning of a colourful new age and today it is an atmospheric example of a mysterious and fascinating past.

VHS. Textbooks tell the dramatic story of the imprisoned Incan Chief who paid a ransom of a roomful of gold to the Spanish Conquistador Francisco Pizarro. For most people, this event in 1532 and the subsequent fall of the Inca empire, marks the beginning of the history of Peru. However, today's findings enhance yesterday's knowledge of history. Dr. Dwayne L. Merry, noted anthropologist and archaeologist, demonstrates in this film that the Incas built their civilization on previous cultures dating back more than 3,000 years. Although much of the history of the Chimu, the Nazca, and the Mochica was lost when they were conquered by the Incas, recent archaeological discoveries uncover some of the fascinating history of these pre-Inca civilizations. Travel with Dr. Merry through the snow-covered Andes and the lush jungles of the Amazon in search of the treasures of Peru. Take a voyage across Lake Titicaca, where the Incas say man was created. Explore the 3,500 year-old temple at Chavin. Fly over the mysterious drawings on the plains of Nazca. Admire Enrique Poli's unrivaled collection of gold artifacts. Marvel at the mystical city of Machu Picchu. Visit with Thor Heyerdahl and Walter Alva as they tell of their discoveries of fabulous treasures. And see modern Peru...The cities of Lima, Trujillo and Arequipa... experience the Sunday market at Pisac... The ancient Inti Raymi Festival in Cuzco... Learn about the colorful people while viewing the scenery of this magnificent country. 75 minutes.

DVD. The Best Of... series Take a voyage across Lake Titicaca where the Incas say man was created. Explore the 3,500 year old temple at Chavin. Fly over the mysterious drawings on the plains of Nazca. Admire Enrique Poli's unrivalled collection of golden artifacts. Marvel at the mystical lost city of Machu Picchu. Visit with Thor Heyerdahl and Walter Alva as they tell of their discoveries. (Also available in Spanish)

DVD. The Seasoned Traveler. 30 Minutes. It's the third biggest country in South America and home to some amazing sights, not the least of which are the famed archeological sites in the Andes Mountains. We'll travel to the Sacred Valley of the Incas and make our way to one of the most extraordinary ancient sites: Machu Picchu. And along the way, we'll stop in the teeming capital city, Lima, and the former Mayan capital, Cusco. George Bauer's Daughter Lisa joins him for a sojourn in Peru. Their travels take them to Lima and Cusco, and through the Sacred Valley of the Incas, site of the Incan fortress of Ollantaytambo. The journey culminates at the legendary lost city of Machu Picchu. George Bauer, the Traveler, is a radio and television journalist with 30 years of experience. He's been a reporter and anchor on local stations and national networks in the United States and Great Britain. Now he has decided to change course and give in to a nagging desire--to travel and tell others about exciting places across the globe. The Seasoned Traveler is a unique series created especially for today's over-50 explorer. Award-winning broadcast journalist and travel aficionado George Bauer presents destinations and useful travel tips in a style that is informative, fast-paced and fun. The series caters to both the active explorer and the traveler who prefers a more relaxed pace.

DVD. Cities of the World. 60 Minutes. The long lost, forgotten cities of South America always were in the imaginations of the masses. In Peru we can dream ourselves back into the empire of the Incas, into the age of the Sun God and the ruthless conquistadors. We can travel the 1000 year old Inca trail, travel through the Sacred Valley and take a walk in the amazing ruins of Machu Picchu. We can meet kechua and uro indians, we can buy their traditional clothing and listen to their songs and music. From an airplaine, we can try to solve the secret of the Nazca lines, we can take a train to the Altiplano, we can travel through the paradise of the Paracas Paninsula on boat, we can take a look at the monuments of Lima and Cuzco, and follow Thor Heyerdahl's path, when we sit into a boat on the Titicaca lake.

DVD. 7 Days. 52 Minutes. Lima is the capital of Peru, the second largest country in South America after Brazil and Argentina. The Palacio De Gobierno is also known as Pizzarro, or Government Palace. This Neo-Classic building was completed in 1938 and stands on the foundation of the former Pizzarro Palace. In the palace gardens is the house in which Pizzarro was killed. Lima, the City of Kings, became the capital of the largest region in Spanish South America and was where the viceroys of the Spanish crown resided. During colonial times this city was the largest, most populated, finest and most cultivated city on the continent. Some of the most beautiful colonial buildings in South America are to be found in Lima's old town along with carved balconies of Moorish origin. Huaraz is the 3,050 meter high capital of the Departamento Ancash in the White Mountain range, the Cordillera Blanca. Several natural catastrophes destroyed the majority of the old houses and many people were killed. In 1824 Simon Bolivar built his headquarters there prior to his bloody struggle for Peru's independence. The valley oasis of Nazca which played an important role during the early history of Peru is a desolate area in the south of the country. A small airport is the starting point of a journey to one of the world's greatest mysteries, the enigma of Nazca culture:images of humans, animals and geometric forms scattered over an area of 1,000 km? like the pages of some fantastic historical and astronomical book, created by the Nazca between 500 B.C.and 500 A.D. The 8,300 km? Lake Titicaca is located at an altitude of4,000 m in the Andes Mountains on the border that divides Peru and Bolivia. Then there's Machu Picchu, the Lost City Of The Incas! Peru is a country full of mystery and ancient history. A land of mountains, desert and jungle. A precious gem on the edge of the world!

DVD. Globe Trekker. Situated on the northwest corner of America, Peru is one of the most geographically and culturally diverse countries on earth. Traveler Neil Gibson starts his adventure in Peru's capital Lima. From here he travels north to trek through the glaciers from the Andean city of Huraz. Via the surfing town of Trujula he moves into the Amazon to explore the abundant rain forest wildlife. Taking a flight south he ends his journey in the Inca capital of Cuzco. 55 minutes. Along the way.... $_$_START_LIST ? Climb a glacier 10,000 feet above sea level. ? Eat piranha on an Amazon river trek. ? Witness the spectacular celebrations of the Into Raymi sun festival. ? Trek to the Inca ruins at Machu Picchu. ? View the mysterious Nazca Lines. $_$_END_LIST $_$_START_BLOCK The material on this video was previously released under the title of Lonely Planet $_$_END_BLOCK

DVD. Cosmos Global Documentaries. 52 Minutes. Myths, secrets and mystery surround the archaeological sites of the Maya and Inca in both Middle and South America. The city of Teotihuac?n is no exception. The founding of this ancient and historically important city probably dates back to the second or third century A.D. when construction of the mighty Sun Pyramid crowned by a temple, was completed. The rain god, Tlaloc, and the Feathered Snake, Quetzalcoatl, were the major deities in the flourishing ancient city in some parts of which the magnificent decoration of various sanctuaries, including beautiful reliefs has been preserved to the present day. In Chich?n Itz? the association between the beautifully decorated ancient monuments and temples and their function as a place of human sacrifice is more than evident. Heavy stone tables and human-shaped sacrificial altars such as the Chac Mool create a rather disturbing and mysterious ambience and even today little is known of the true nature of the horrifying rituals that once took place there. Despite its rather modest size the magnificent location of Tulum, located in the northern part of the Yucat?n Peninsula on the Caribbean coast, is still one of the most popular and well-known Maya sites in the world. Tulum was once entirely surrounded by a massive defensive wall with towers and battlements and in the 14th century the small port developed into one of the most important trading centres in the region. The desolate and extensive desert in Southern Peru hides one of the most spectacular secrets of Nazca culture, the legendary and mysterious geoglyphs engraved on the surface of the desert. There are illustrations of various animals that measure a hundred metres and further images that extend for several kilometres. The precision and huge dimensions of these lines is simply breathtaking. For some time it was believed that they could only be discerned from the sky but the truth is that they can be seen from the neighbouring hills. Perhaps at some time in the future and with the help of more archaeological discoveries there will be further revelations with regard to the mysteries of the Inca people. However, in this region, each discovery leads to a new mystery!