Civilisations - Season 1 Episode 6

Art plays a major part in recording or even shaping the cultural and general contacts between societies and their civilizations. Sometimes it testifies to the lack of knowledge about each-other, even stuck in legend and superstition, notably when contacts are rare. Sometimes it's at the core of imperialist annihilation, as the Spanish Conquistadores intentionally crushed the pagan Precolumbian cultures but ironically in the process left precious rare records of largely destroyed Inca, Aztec and Maya empire heritages. Complex relationships develop in the course of exploration and colonization, as in Africa. Economical and military rapports tend to lead the way, but also missionary ambition and, diplomacy involve art.