Global Treasures: Balcony House

Television Director: Ullman, Frank

Producer: Scarson, Peter O.

---

Catalogue Number: GTR-DVD-1039

UPC: 879061006388

---

Global Treasures - History's Most Protected Monuments - Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live today, and what we pass on to future generations. Our cultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration. Places as unique and diverse as the wilds of East Africa's Serengeti, the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Baroque cathedrals of Latin America make up our world's heritage. Join us as we explore one of these protected monuments.

The impressive Mesa Verde National Park in the USA contains numerous centuries-old Indian rock settlements, including the remarkable Balcony House.

The climb to Balcony House has always been an arduous task, and within the entire area of the Mesa Verde no other Indian pueblo settlement is as well preserved. The unique quality of its brickwork indicates the past presence of a highly-developed community that probably lived here until the end of the 13th century.

For several centuries, the 45 rooms of Balcony House remained unoccupied, and the families who had formerly inhabited them, the Anasazi Indians, left without a trace. The buildings have managed to survive due to the dry climate, the inaccessibility of their location and the nature of the materials used in their construction.

In contrast to the earlier culture of the basket weavers, discoveries from the Late Pueblo epoch indicate that the Anasazi had a strong sense of community and were not afraid to make contact with neighboring tribes. The effect of these cultural exchanges is evident on the various images and patterns of their pottery.

Protected by mighty rock walls in the midst of magnificent and untouched canyons, the remains of this fascinating Pueblo culture have managed to survive the passage of time.