Reel 1983

Debut: An ambitious four-part study of Native American cultures. "Long before the first Europeans arrived here, there were some 500 nations already in North America," says host Kevin Costner, who returns to the subject that inspired "Dances with Wolves," his 1990 Oscar-winning film. The first installment opens with the 1890 tragedy at Wounded Knee, and examines the Anasazi and Maya civilizations before moving on to the Aztec empire and the impact of Spanish conquistador Hernando Cortes. (2:00)

Debut: An ambitious four-part study of Native American cultures. "Long before the first Europeans arrived here, there were some 500 nations already in North America," says host Kevin Costner, who returns to the subject that inspired "Dances with Wolves," his 1990 Oscar-winning film. The first installment opens with the 1890 tragedy at Wounded Knee, and examines the Anasazi and Maya civilizations before moving on to the Aztec empire and the impact of Spanish conquistador Hernando Cortes. (2:00)

Debut: An ambitious four-part study of Native American cultures. "Long before the first Europeans arrived here, there were some 500 nations already in North America," says host Kevin Costner, who returns to the subject that inspired "Dances with Wolves," his 1990 Oscar-winning film. The first installment opens with the 1890 tragedy at Wounded Knee, and examines the Anasazi and Maya civilizations before moving on to the Aztec empire and the impact of Spanish conquistador Hernando Cortes. (2:00)