[Aztlan] History Channel Programs of Interest

[Elaine Day Schele]

Hi Listeros,

These may have already aired, but just in case anyone missed them...

Tuesday, March 20, 2007
8-9pm (Eastern Time) -- Lost Worlds - Palenque.
Today we venture to Palenque, a great Mayan city deep in the Mexican jungle, abandoned for over a thousand years. Mysterious tombs, palaces, and temples covered by creepers have remained hidden from the world for centuries. But how was this gigantic metropolis built and what purpose did the temples and palaces serve? As the clues are gathered, we reveal the Mayan obsession with astronomy, sacrifice and shamanism and how this influenced the building of their structures and discover how their unique stone carvings documented their civilization more thoroughly than any other Mesoamerican culture. We also explore the secret tombs of their kings that have remained hidden for more than 1,500 years. As we rebuild the city, wall by wall, building by building, the result is an historically accurate and stunningly beautiful vision of an ancient city.

Thursday, March 22, 2007
10-11pm (Eastern Time) -- Modern Marvels - Tobacco.
Discovered around 18,000 years ago, tobacco was first cultivated in the Andes between 5000 and 3000 B.C. At a modern tobacco farm in North Carolina, a farmer will show us how the crop is harvested and cured and we'll visit the Fuente cigar plantation in the Dominican Republic. While tobacco has brought pleasure to countless smokers the world over--it has sent millions to an early grave. In an interview with the Surgeon General, we will explore this leading public health issue. The show will also look at smokeless methods of consumption as well as explore the use of nicotine replacement therapy.