Desert Speaks

In this episode, host David Yetman, historian Bill Beezley and Archeologist María José Figuerero trace the Atacama Desert Trade route from the Pacific coast to the Chilean Andes from sea level to 15,000 feet elevation. Though a modern paved road has replaced the ancient llama caravan trail, the road still connects the goods from the Andes with the marine resources from the coast. Along the route, the travelers encounter evidence of pre-Inca and Inca populations, such as defensive structures, ancient towns, and storage sites. Traditional Incan villages on the road are slowly becoming depopulated, but there are still the unmistakable signs of both Christian and pagan influences on the locals who remain. This program also features a look at the largest herbivores in Chile, the wild vicuñas and guanacos and the domesticated alpacas and llamas.