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The Desert Speaks
Ancient Peoples of the High Desert
Season 13
Episode 3
High in the foothills of the Bolivian Andes in the historic village of Santiago de K, life continues nearly the same as it has for centuries. An archeological site nearby reveals, through ancient ruins, just how little life has changed over the centuries. Here at over 12,600 feet above sea level, in the highest desert in the world, residents harvest the endemic potatoes and quinoa to barter with.
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26:14
Explore some of the largest dune fields in North America.

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26:14
Visit three groups of sand dunes located on public land in the United States.

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26:14
Join the search in Buena Vista, Sonora for the descendants of Ópata palm weavers.

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26:14
Take a look into the ways people collect and enjoy some of the oddest plants in the world.

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26:14
Take a trip to La Paz, Bolivia. At 12,000ft it is one of the highest cities in the world.

26:14
Hit the road on an adventure from Lima, Peru through this “driest desert in the world.”

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26:14
The intrepid travelers begin a thorough investigation into the weird, wild plants of Baja.

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In Baja, the musing and memories of the ancient people adorn the walls in a dry cave.

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A journey to Baja, California and then continuing south to further explore.

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26:14
Catch a rare glimpse into the life, culture, and traditions of the native Mayo Indians.

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Evidence suggests that the ancestral Pueblo Indians accurately marked astronomical events.

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26:13
We visit The Valle de Tehuacán, the birthplace for domestic corn.