12. The Inca - Cities in the Cloud (Part 2 of 2)

High up on the craggy peaks of the Urubamba Canyon, a lost city lies wreathed in cloud...

In this episode, we explore the mountains of the Andes, and tell the story of the Inca Empire. Find out how these mountain people built the largest empire in the Western Hemipshere, in one of the toughest terrains on earth. With Inca poetry, Quechuan hymns and authentic Andean instruments, discover the unique culture of the Inca. And find out what happened to bring their society crashing down around them.

Credits:

Sound engineering: Thomas Ntinas & Alexey Sibikin

Voice actors:

Annie Kelly
Jamie Tanner
Gerald Condlin
Lachlan Lucas
Peter Walters
Jimmy Lai

Also heard: “Andean illusion” by Kanti Quena (Carlos Saldana) and
"Ollantay" by Leandro Alviña.
Kanti Quena (Carlos Saldana): Quena, Quenacho, Tarkas, Bombo, Charango
Phaxsi Coca (Jeanettte Rojas): Siku Malta, Siku Zanka, Jach'a Siku, Bombo, Chajchas
Ana Maria Ramirez Bautista: Quena
Maya McCourt: Cello
Pavlos Kapralos: Chajchas, Palo de Lluvia

Special thanks to the painter Frank Abarca for providing paintings of the Inca and Wari peoples.

[MarcioVicentess]

Hey, Paul and community!

Right now I'm at Machu Picchu Pueblo (or Aguas Calientes). I'm on a trip with my wife to visit Cusco and Machu Picchu. When we arrived at the small town (but crowded with tourists) at the base of Machu Picchu we entered a restaurant where over the bar - ornated with inca figures all around - was a big tv playing the video from the episode "Cities in the Cloud". The tv is positioned in a way that the whole restaurant can see.

It was amazing and kinda shocking because we've seen this video a couple of times - one of them a few days before leaving our country home to come here.

I thought you would like to know that! Another sign of a great job done.

Kind regards!

[douglaskingsman]

As a student of history, I am somewhat surprised to find myself so overwhelmed, once again, by your series. However, the rise and fall of the Inca in particular has left me in deep sorrow. Your telling has a strange, otherworldly beauty to it, so – in spite of the unfathomable cruelty of my species – I feel something very akin to awe. Much appreciations.

[pieromonteverde]

As a native Peruvian, I found this podcast the best I've come across this period in history, better than what it is taught in college there. Congratulations and thank you!

[Pyromaniac]

The sorrow of these New World episodes is so deep. I think it's how comparatively recent it all is, and the feeling of how differently things could have gone. There's this overwhelming sense that we were so close to a future so different to our own, if only a few dice had been rolled differently. Perhaps it was inevitable that things would happen this way. But, to know that in just a few hundred years that these men and thier actions would be viewed with disgust and outrage, but with no way of undoing them, is harrowing. If there's one thing we should take away from these stories it's that the destruction of knowledge and culture cannot be undone, and it is universally regretted and mourned in time.

[blahsomethingclever]

Beautiful story telling. Tasteful audio.

Don't change anything, your videos are works of art

[loslobos]

Thank you as a descendent of both these peoples it's nice to get something with the native historys in it, so much is lost or misunderstood.

[jturneyful]

This series is the best, or one of the best, documentaries I have ever seen in my life. It is thorough, contextual, balanced, rich and lively. It vividly brings history to life with much needed context from start to finish. In terms of quality, it is way above anything mainstream.

[dustsky]

Immersive narration, evocative visuals, and tasteful music to blend it all in. It was a pleasure to watch.

[joetheeskimo]

When that into music starts, it legitimately moves me on the inside

[garygone]

Beautiful. The epitome of how a documentary should be composed and delivered to it's audience. Thank You Dr Cooper. I am certain that all of your works will be viewed by future researchers seeking knowledge of past civilizations and that they will be as awestruck as I am at your thoroughness of all the documentaries that you have created. You are a world treasure.

[miloshk]

This is a monumental work, congratulations!

[knovives]

it's really a privilege to have this for free.

[ALifeWellSteved]

I’ll definitely be watching this multiple times! Gotta make a request, Carthage!

[daleblue]

Great work Paul!!! I lived In Bolivia in the 90's and witnessed the struggle and tge suffering of the quechua and aymara people and how still divided between the high land and lowlands based on their heritage😒.
I admire your work and research. Thumbs up.

[jamiebusch]

This series is the most visually stunning, thoroughly researched, approachable and comprehensible history series I have ever seen.. reminds me of the very best from the early days of TV, when the BBC and PBS were not corrupted and dumbed down - only better... Amazing series.... Cant thank you enough..

[carlosbg]

I’m Peruvian, and our country has just celebrated its bicentennial as an independent nation. But we are very much still suffering the ripples (cultural, economic, and otherwise) of this tale of destruction and genocide, which greatly shaped who we are as a nation. This was one of the saddest episodes in the history of humanity, expertly told. Keep up the excellent work!

[hman]

In totality of production value and simple story telling, this is easily the best history channel anywhere anytime

[politecat]

Even my cat comes over when your voice comes on now to settle near me peacefully as I watch enraptured and awed by knowledge made so accessible! I repeatedly watch this series of episodes. Outstanding work! I look forward to future videos

[phraktl]

Absolutely one of the very best channels on YouTube or anywhere. Every episode is better than the last. Keep up the great work. You are making the world a more educated and better place.

[afrikaiswoke]

Thank you so much...This series deserves an Award