The Twelfth Century: Century of the Axe

Overview

All over the world people challenged nature and a century of ambitious building began. At Pueblo Bonito, in the American Southwest, a monumental city rose from the desert. Vast new churches arose all over Northern Europe to celebrate God's glory through Gothic architecture. Spectacular Christian churches were carved out of solid rock in Ethiopia to establish the power of King Lalibela. New cities produced a new way of life in Italy. Citizens gave themselves charters, established their rights, and declared themselves independent republics. Not everyone built. Nomadic tribes such as the Australian aborigines continued to flourish by hunting, gathering and honoring the land.