Arrival

Two-part documentary in which archaeologist Dr. Jago Cooper explores the extraordinary and resilient culture of the American Northwest, revealing one the most inspiring stories in human history. Jago travels to southeast Alaska, British Columbia and Washington state to see how a complex society developed without agriculture. The answer lies in the extraordinary way in which the people understood and mastered their environment, which in turn is reflected in their identity and social structures. He reveals the hidden significance in totem poles, canoes and intricate textiles, arguing that the peoples of the Northwest Coast achieved the highest levels of cultural achievement.