Stonehenge. The most iconic prehistoric monument in the world. And yet its story is still so enigmatic. In this episode, host Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr Sue Greaney to shine a light on Stonehenge’s prehistoric story. Together they explore this monument's creation and early evolution during the Neolithic c.5,000 years ago, as well as the story behind the people who built it. Discover the past on History Hit with ad-free original podcasts and documentaries released weekly presented by world re...
Jul 23, 2023•48 min•Ep. 331
Uncovered a decade ago in the Rising Star Cave system in South Africa, Homo Naledi's discovery has impacted paleoanthropology in ways nobody could expect. Upon first discovery, it was assumed this small brained hominid lived millions of years ago - yet when dating of the fossil's was completed, it transpired that Homo Naledi lived at the same time as early Homo Sapiens. So what does this mean for human evolution, and why (and how) were these fossils found so deep inside the Rising Star Cave syst...
Jul 20, 2023•52 min•Ep. 330
The largest of the Channel Islands, when you think of Jersey, it's doubtful that Neanderthals, Woolly Mammoths, and Woolly Rhinoceroses come to mind. But thanks to 20th-century excavations and advancing science in the modern age, we now know that Jersey was one of the largest sites of Neanderthal occupation in Northwestern Europe. With over 200,000 stone tools discovered and skeletal evidence of both Neanderthals and Mega Fauna, it was an island where many coexisted. But how were these incredibl...
Jul 16, 2023•48 min•Ep. 329
Helen of Troy, the face that launched a thousand ships - but is there more to her than a beautiful face? Commemorated throughout history in ancient epics and modern adaptations, Helen of Troy is known as one of the most beautiful women to ever have lived. But was Helen of Troy actually real, and from her story what can we learn about women's positions and roles in ancient societies? In this episode Tristan is joined by author and broadcaster Natalie Haynes to discuss Helen's place in mythology, ...
Jul 13, 2023•44 min•Ep. 328
Evolving from an obscure ancient ruler to a contemporary national icon, Chandragupta Maurya's story is finally being told. However, despite tales of leading empires and defeating the successors of Alexander the Great, there is no official record of his events- only moments taken from Greek authors here and there remain. So, how can we decipher fact from fiction, and how have recent reappraisals helped shape Chandragupta's story, and more importantly - a national Indian identity? In this episode,...
Jul 09, 2023•38 min•Ep. 327
The last monument to be added to the list of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Lighthouse of Alexandria (also known as the Pharos), was one of the tallest man-made structures in ancient history. Serving as the only guiding beacon along 900km of Mediterranean coast, it played a vital role for sailors, merchants, and travellers in safely navigating into the harbour of Alexandria. But who commissioned this mighty marvel, and what eventually caused its collapse 1500 years later? In this ep...
Jul 06, 2023•45 min•Ep. 326
Discovered in a German cave, days before the Second World War broke out, the Lion Man statue remained an enigma for decades. A figurine that represents a hybrid creature with the body of a human and the head of a lion, the statue is made from mammoth ivory and is estimated to be over 40,000 years old, making it one of the oldest known examples of figurative art. But who carved this detailed figurine, and more importantly - why? In this episode, Tristan welcomes back Palaeolithic Archaeologist Jo...
Jul 02, 2023•33 min•Ep. 325
As the Babylonian Empire fell into decline, and it's power faded, the Persian Empire stepped in to fill the void that was left - but how did this event directly effect the narrative of the Old Testament, and what other sources are available to learn more about this period? As Babylon's infrastructure deteriorated, with crumbling walls and blocked canals reflecting a spiritual decline, rival powers emerged both within and beyond Babylon. Viewed as the chosen one by the Babylonian gods, Cyrus the ...
Jun 29, 2023•42 min•Ep. 324
This episode contains themes of a sexual nature Achilles is one of the greatest heroes in Greek mythology. The son of Peleus, a Greek King, and Thetis, a divine sea nymph, Achilles was a demigod with extraordinary strength and courage. The perfect combination to make a great warrior, he is perhaps best known from Homer's epic poem the Iliad, which details his adventures in the final year of the Trojan War. He's also gone down in history for his passionate love for his companion, Patroclus. Sourc...
Jun 25, 2023•41 min•Ep. 323
When you envision what Earth was like 4.5 billion years ago, shortly after its creation, images of dust-filled air and raging volcanoes tend to come to mind. However, amidst all that chaos, hidden within the rocks and atmosphere, what if water was also present? Traveling back to the beginning of the Solar System and Earth's formation, it turns out that Earth was partially wet from the start. with water molecules clinging to the asteroids that would later form our planet. So, how do we go about p...
Jun 22, 2023•44 min•Ep. 322
Emerging around the 3rd century CE and later designated official adversaries of the Roman Empire, the Picts wreaked havoc across the northern fringes of Roman Britain. But due to their limited presence in the archaeological record and the complexities of multiple kings, kingdoms, and languages involved, unravelling the true identity of the Picts and understanding why Rome harboured such animosity towards them can be challenging. So what sources can archaeologists turn to, and what does it show u...
Jun 18, 2023•43 min•Ep. 321
According to the work of today's guest, Dr Annemieke Milks, humans were using spears approximately 400,000 years ago. Thanks to fragments of wooden spears incredibly well preserved at sites like Clacton-on-Sea in Essex, and Schöningen in Germany, there's now evidence to show our early ancestors weren't just hunter gatherers, but skilled weapons users. Together, Tristan and Annemieke dissect what the evidence actually shows, the speculation surrounding ancestors millions of years ago also using w...
Jun 15, 2023•42 min•Ep. 320
For millions of years, Australopithecus thrived in Africa's vast landscapes, laying the groundwork for the emergence of the Homo genus. Later, alongside early members of the Homo genus, Australopithecus played a crucial role in shaping human evolution and our present-day existence. In this episode, Tristan welcomes Professor Fred Spoor from the Natural History Museum back to the podcast. Together they delve into what we know so far about Australopiths. From their own evolution to the discovery o...
Jun 11, 2023•43 min•Ep. 319
The fall of the Western Roman Empire stands as one of the most monumental moments in ancient history, symbolising the end of centuries of Roman dominance in the Mediterranean. However, amidst the crumbling of Rome, the city of Ravenna emerged as a prominent center, eventually surpassing Milan as the new capital. This begs the question: how did Ravenna attain such significance, and what insights can we glean from the art and architecture that remain there today, particularly from the 5th and 6th ...
Jun 08, 2023•53 min•Ep. 318
The Celtic queen who led a major uprising against the Roman Empire in ancient Britain, Boudica, is a name known throughout history. Her rebellion, fuelled by grievances against Roman oppression and with the aim of protecting her people, resulted in the destruction of numerous Roman settlements, the ashes of which can still be seen in the archaeological layers today. So, beyond the ashes of the cities she burned, what else does the archaeology tell us about this triumphant queen? In today's episo...
Jun 04, 2023•39 min•Ep. 317
Human and Horse relationships have long be intertwined; from the ancient Eurasian plain, through to modern cowboys. But how did these huge, independent creatures become domesticated - and what was the original intention behind such an act? Originally tamed for their meat and milk, the domestication of horses - and the origins of horse riding, aren't two events that coincided. So when did the horse move from food to friend? And who's responsible for this change? In this episode Tristan welcomes C...
Jun 01, 2023•44 min•Ep. 316
When looking at the Hebrew Bible, the city of Babylon plays a prominent role - especially in the Old Testament. A city famed for it's architectural beauty and gardens, also holds stories of suffering and captivity. Travelling back to the 6th Century BCE, the Babylonian Captivity was a defining moment in both Judaean history, and faith. With enormous numbers of the Judaean elite banished to Babylon, there was a religious, and social, overhaul for all involved. So what happened in this pivotal mom...
May 28, 2023•42 min•Ep. 315
An ancient clay artefact that dates back to the 6th century BCE, the Cyrus Cylinder is often considered one of the most important documents in history. Covered in Akkadian inscriptions that provide invaluable insight into the reign of Cyrus the Great - it focuses on Cyrus's conquering of Babylon and attempts of religious restoration. So where was this irreplaceable object found, and what else does it tell us about Cyrus the Great? In this bonus episode of our Babylon mini-series, Tristan welcome...
May 25, 2023•58 min•Ep. 314
A legendary, ancient architectural wonder, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon are one of the most famed wonders of the Ancient world. Described as being a luscious green space - likened to distant mountains, and fed by the Euphrates river, it's hard to know what was fact and what was fiction. So were the Hanging Gardens of Babylon actually real? And is there any archaeological evidence proving so? In the next episode of our Babylon miniseries, Tristan is joined by Professor Grant Frame, and welcomes...
May 21, 2023•56 min•Ep. 313
An ancient, colossal site in Northeastern Louisiana, Poverty Point is a mystery amongst archaeologist and anthropologists a like. Dating back nearly 4 millennia, Poverty Point is renowned for it's massive earthworks, with gigantic concentric circles, complex mounds, and towering ridges - it's a site to behold. But who exactly built Poverty Point, and more importantly - why? In this episode Tristan welcomes Poverty Point's Park Manager, Mark Brink, to the podcast to help decipher some of the myst...
May 18, 2023•44 min•Ep. 312
One of the most famous Babylonian Kings - Nebuchadnezzar II was a legendary ruler who appears in biblical stories, cuneiform texts, and was immortalised in monumental architecture. Ruling Babylon at it's imperial height, and commanding an empire that spanned from the Mediterranean to the Persian Gulf, his strength and might is unchallenged. But what do we actually know about the man who ruled over one of the greatest empires of the ancient world? In the first episode of our new series delving in...
May 14, 2023•42 min•Ep. 311
In this episode of The Ancients, host Tristan Hughes speaks with historian Honor Cargill-Martin about the notorious Empress Messalina, third wife of Emperor Claudius. A lot has been said about Messalina over two millennia: that she was a nymphomaniac who organised orgies and engaged in prostitution, even going so far as to work as a prostitute in the streets of Rome, or had sex with 25 men in 24 hours, are just a few examples. Cargill-Martin sheds light on the political and social climate of anc...
May 11, 2023•39 min•Ep. 310
This episode contains references and words of a sexual nature. Did Alexander the Great and the Queen of the Amazons really have sex for 13 days solid? What do we know about his male lovers? And how did his sex life stand up to that of his dad’s? Today, the guest is our very own Tristan Hughes, interviewed by Kate Lister, host of the History Hit podcast Betwixt The Sheets . Produced by Charlotte Long and Sophie Gee. Mixed by Sophie Gee and Joseph Knight. For more History Hit content...
May 07, 2023•45 min•Ep. 309
As Shirley Bassey once said, "He's the man. The man with the Midas touch." But who was the man that's inspired stories from Greek myths to Bond bangers? In this episode, Tristan Hughes is joined by archaeologist and classicist Professor Brian Rose to discuss the real King Midas, ruler of the Phrygian Kingdom in West Central Turkey between 740 and 700 BCE. They delve into the two sides of Midas: the historical and the mythical, explaining the origins of the both the Golden Touch myth, and why Mid...
May 04, 2023•50 min•Ep. 308
Perhaps a name better known for recent appearances in horror films - Lilith is a woman who's origins go far beyond that of the Hollywood screens. Often blamed for illnesses, ailments, and male embarrassment - Lilith is force to be reckoned with. So just where does Lilith come from, and can ancient Mesopotamia help shed some light on this misunderstood figure? Sarah Clegg, author of the new book 'Woman's Lore' joins Tristan on the podcast today, to help unravel the myth and mystery surrounding Li...
Apr 30, 2023•51 min•Ep. 307
When we think of democracy in the ancient Greek world, our minds often go straight to Athens, the purported birthplace of democracy. But was Athens truly the home of democracy? And if so, who's responsible for giving a voice to the people? In this episode, Tristan chats to Professor Paul Cartledge from the University of Cambridge about the political landscape of ancient Greece and the origins of this revolutionary form of government. Looking at the radical statesman Cleisthenes; exploring his co...
Apr 27, 2023•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 306
The legend of the Minotaur and its labyrinth has captivated us for centuries, but is there any evidence of it really existing? In this episode, Tristan visits the Ashmolean museum in Oxford to interview Dr. Andrew Shapland, the curator of a new exhibition exploring the Bronze Age settlement of Knossos in Crete - the home of the mythical King Minos, the Minotaur and the labyrinth. Together they explore ancient artefacts that hint at human sacrifices being carried out, and find out through archaeo...
Apr 23, 2023•50 min•Ep. 305
Invention and innovation are two concepts that have propelled humankind forward for as long as people can remember - but who were the first, original tool makers, and what can we learn from them? Travelling back nearly 3 million years ago to the African continent, in modern Kenya, recent archaeological discoveries have altered long standing opinions about who the first tool makers were - so which hominin species deserves the title 'the first toolmakers', and just how related to them ...
Apr 20, 2023•43 min•Ep. 304
Across northern Scotland, you can still see the skeletal remains of prehistoric skyscrapers known as brochs. These enigmatic drystone towers dominated the landscape 2,500 years ago - yet so much of their story remains shrouded in mystery. One of the most incredible structures still visible today is Clachtoll Broch, home to a family of Iron Age farmers before tragedy struck. With a fire ravaging the country side and home, it's a site of incredible devastation. So what can we learn about it today?...
Apr 16, 2023•45 min•Ep. 303
In July 64AD, the Great Fire of Rome tore across the city, and ultimately burnt two thirds of Rome to ashes before it could be bought under control. A devastating event that can still be seen in the archaeology today, it ultimately led to the first persecution against the early Roman Christians. With legends of the narcissistic Nero playing the fiddle as his city burnt around him, and conspiracy theories as to who actually started this catastrophic blaze - what actually happened in July 64AD? In...
Apr 13, 2023•42 min•Ep. 302
