>> asia: it doesn't look shameful to me. >> anthony: well, back in the day, this was where -- >> asia: where people lived in caves. and they had no god. >> anthony: after centuries of neglect, matera's cave communities became, for post-war italy, a symbol of national dysfunction, backwardness, and horrifying living conditions. >> anthony: i mean, this is an area that was known for briganti. outlaws, bandits. so this was always where, you know, the losers were sent. into the '50s and '60s this was considered an embarrassment and a shame, people lived -- >> asia: yeah, because they had no water, yes. >> anthony: ten kids -- in a bucket. up to 50% mortality rate among children. >> anthony: malaria was endemic, the children begging in the street for quinine to prevent it. >> asia: they were burning fire to keep the animals away as the children were dying.