Carved into the Peruvian landscape over a millennia ago, the Nazca lines are some of the most famed, and ancient, geoglyphs in the world. When viewed from above they create astonishing, detailed images of animals that were sacred to the Nazca people. But despite being some of the most well known images of the ancient world, they're still shrouded in mystery. How were these immense images created, and more importantly, why? In this episode Tristan is joined by Dr Sara Morrisset, an archaeologist ...
Feb 02, 2023•53 min•Transcript available on Metacast Having dominated the earth for millions of years, it's no wonder Dinosaurs have always fascinated us. Depicted in films and TV shows as monstrous scaly beasts - they inspire a terrifying image. But what if we told you that the T-Rex could have been covered in feathers? It's a question that's haunted palaeontologists for years - were dinosaurs actually covered in feathers, and if so, what purpose did that serve? In today's episode, Tristan is once again joined by palaeontologist extraordinaire He...
Jan 29, 2023•41 min•Transcript available on Metacast One of the most famous cities in history - Babylon is shrouded in mystery and myth. Located in ancient Mesopotamia, now modern Iraq, it was one of the epicentres of ancient culture, architecture, and the home of famous figures such as Hammurabi. But what do we actually know about Babylon - and what can we learn from ancient sources and modern archaeology? In this episode, Tristan is joined by Oxford scholar Stephanie Dalley who helps us separate fact from fiction. Looking at famous sites such as...
Jan 26, 2023•1 hr•Transcript available on Metacast Located in the US State of Ohio, the Great Serpent Mound is an iconic monument of Ancient America. Nearly 1,400 feet long, and 3 feet high - it's hard to miss. But what do we actually know about this prehistoric colossus, and why was it constructed? In this episode, Tristan is joined by Dr Brad Lepper, Curator of Archaeology at the Ohio History Connection. A leading expert on ancient earthworks, Brad reveals what the archaeology tells us about the Great Serpent Mound. Looking at the site's histo...
Jan 22, 2023•40 min•Transcript available on Metacast The unofficial 8th wonder the Ancient World, the Parthenon is still standing today. Located on the Acropolis in Athens, towering above a busy, modern metropolis - it's a symbol of the city's long standing ancient past. But why was this monumental structure built? And what do we really know about it? In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan is joined by Dr Maeve McHugh from the University of Birmingham to take us through the Parthenon's remarkable history. Looking at the mastermind be...
Jan 19, 2023•45 min•Transcript available on Metacast Orkney, a group of islands off Britain’s north coast, famed for their stunning, rural scenery. But 5,000 years ago, during the Neolithic Period - or ‘New Stone Age’ - it was a completely different story. Back then, these islands were rich in stunning art and architecture. A great centre of the Stone Age World, with connections that stretched across Britain, Ireland and beyond. In this very special episode - the first in a new miniseries about Prehistoric Scotland - we explore the extraordinary S...
Jan 15, 2023•54 min•Transcript available on Metacast This episode contains references to sexual assault and suicide. When you think of Ancient Rome, you don't often associate it with the idea of a Monarchy. But long before the likes of Julius Caesar, Augustus, or even Nero - Kings ruled over the land. Specifically - seven of them. But what happened to these Kings of Rome, and why aren't they immortalised in history the same way as their Emperor successors? In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan is joined by fellow Podcast hosts and authors Dr Pe...
Jan 12, 2023•57 min•Transcript available on Metacast This episode contains references to sexual assault and terms for groups which were classified that way at the time. Hephaestus, son of Zeus and Hera, is the God of fire and foundry in Greek mythology. He is the only god with a disability, a part of his identity that becomes a double-edged sword. Often treated disparagingly by the rest of the Greek pantheon as a result, chiefly by his own mother, Hera, who in some versions of mythology throws him off Mount Olympus she’s so ashamed of him, it also...
Jan 08, 2023•41 min•Transcript available on Metacast The results of a groundbreaking new study were released today [January 5th] by a group of researchers who believe they have conclusively decoded the earliest known form of proto-writing. Dating back to the Palaeolithic era, this combination of abstract markings and ice age art decorates over 600 locations across Europe and have long fascinated archaeologists and enthusiasts alike. In today's episode Tristan is joined by one of the team behind this marvel, Professor Paul Pettitt from the Universi...
Jan 05, 2023•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast ‘I’m Spartacus!’ In the field of epic film making, the 1960 historical drama ‘Spartacus’, is legendary. Directed by Stanley Kibrick, adapted from the Howard Fast novel by Red Scare blacklisted screenwriter, Dalton Trumbo, and starring Kirk Douglas, Laurence Olivier, Peter Ustinov and Jean Simmons; it is a classic. But how much of the plot has emerged from the true story of a Thracian gladiator and slave who escaped his Roman captors and led an unsuccessful but impressive rebellion against their ...
Dec 29, 2022•49 min•Transcript available on Metacast 67 million people currently inhabit the United Kingdom - but what do we know about the original, first Britons? It's no secret when looking back into pre-history that it was a time of mass migration for animals and people alike, but who were our early inhabitants, and what can we learn about them? In this episode of The Ancients, Professor Chris Stringer returns to the podcast to shine a light on this mysterious part of prehistory. Looking back across millions of years, Chris helps us delve into...
Dec 22, 2022•49 min•Transcript available on Metacast Often overshadowed by his more successful peers (anyone heard of Julius Caesar?), Crassus' rise and fall from power is that of legend. A Roman General, Statesman, and once called the 'Richest Man In Rome', Crassus' power and influence is undisputed. But how did Crassus come to obtain such power, and just how far can the mighty actually fall? In this episode, Tristan is joined by Sir Peter Stothard to talk us through the rise and fall of this often overlooked figure. From his involvement in quell...
Dec 18, 2022•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast 2000 BC saw the famed city of Babylon begin to flourish under the rule of a King called Hammurabi. Renowned for his famous law code, the stele of which still survives today, is there anything else to be learnt about this mysterious figure? In this episode Tristan is joined by Professor, and author, Amanda Podany from California State Polytechnic University. Together they discuss the life of this famed Babylonian King, from his origins as a ruthless warlord, to his contributions in helping Babylo...
Dec 15, 2022•43 min•Transcript available on Metacast Hera, the wife and sister of Zeus, goddess of marriage, royalty and women, is the Queen of the Gods in Greek mythology. Despite her seat of power, she is an often maligned figure, typically characterised as the jealous and vengeful wife of Zeus due to his extramarital affairs and illegitimate children. Though archaeological evidence shows that Hera was a pre-Greek deity, pre-eminent to Zeus, and nearly every temple dedicated to Zeus, was a temple first originally dedicated to Hera. In this episo...
Dec 11, 2022•46 min•Transcript available on Metacast With ancient Rome often being viewed as a mighty, impenetrable empire - it seems unlikely that one man, let alone a pirate, could ever bring this empire to it's knees. Yet that's exactly what Carausius, posthumously dubbed the 'Pirate King', did. Striking when Rome was already weak and without it's Naval Fleet, Carausius took advantage of Britain's vulnerability and declared himself Emperor of Britain - but how long did this daring new venture last? In this episode, Simon Elliot returns to the p...
Dec 08, 2022•38 min•Transcript available on Metacast Most famously known as the birth place of Jesus, Bethlehem has been immortalised in texts, carols, and imagery across history. But prior to the arrival of Jesus and the nativity, Bethlehem had a vibrant, and unexpected history. Located south of Jerusalem in the West Bank, Bethlehem was home to famous figures such as King David and was eventually a favourite spot of Roman Emperor Constantine I. But how do we know about all these figures - and what else is there left to learn? In today's episode, ...
Dec 04, 2022•53 min•Transcript available on Metacast A Mesopotamian metropolis that thrived for millennia, Uruk is even claimed by some to have been the first true city in history. Located in modern day Iraq, Uruk was certainly among the oldest urban settlements of the ancient world, and has been a treasure trove of archaeological finds. But was it really the first ever city? And what do we actually know about Uruk's inhabitants? In this episode, Tristan is rejoined by Dr Paul Collins from the British Museum. Together, they explore Uruk's monument...
Dec 01, 2022•54 min•Transcript available on Metacast Alexander the Great is one of the most famous figures from history. Legends and fantastical versions of his life were told almost immediately upon his death, often merging fact with fiction. Through his interaction, both good and bad, with so many different empires and societies, Alexander the Great is viewed through many a lense; hero, villain, demi-god - the list goes on. Despite dying at a young age, his achievements have been immortalised throughout history, with the help of some extraordina...
Nov 27, 2022•46 min•Transcript available on Metacast Since the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb in the Valley of the Kings, the phenomenon of “Tutmania” has continued to capture the worlds imagination on an unprecedented scale. From innovative museum exhibitions that took the phrase 'blockbuster' to a new meaning, to SNL sketches and collectable memorabilia - there is no doubt that this once forgotten Pharaoh will now live on forever. But how did the Boy Pharaoh become a celebrity - and is his worldwide fame a force for good? In this episode Trista...
Nov 24, 2022•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast Situated in the North of Italy, the Etruscan's were once a powerful civilisation, dominating the Italian peninsular. Predecessors to Ancient Rome, the Etruscans excelled in trade, art, and sculpture, surviving for centuries from the early 1st Millenia BC until their fated clash with the Romans. The might of the Etruscans is undisputed - but what does the archaeology tell us about this mysterious civilisation, and why does is counteract ancient sources? In this episode Tristan is joined by Dr Luc...
Nov 20, 2022•56 min•Transcript available on Metacast On the west bank of the Nile, across from the ancient city of Thebes, lies the Valley of the Kings - the final resting place of several Pharaohs and their families. The valley is a 1,000 ft wide wadi [valley] that was utilised as a royal burial ground by three dynasties of the New Kingdom for over half a millennia. Made famous by Howard Carter's discovery of Tutankhamun in 1922, the Valley of the Kings is home to the most celebrated archaeological finds in history. For this third episode of our ...
Nov 17, 2022•52 min•Transcript available on Metacast Zeus, the chief deity in Greek mythology, is the Olympian god of sky and thunder, and is king of all other gods and men. His tale is one of overthrowing fathers, eating babies and seducing women, both mortal and divine, by changing his own form. He's one of the most complex figures in history, and his story is one that's been retold throughout millennia. To try and make sense of it all, we're going back to very beginning, to the origins of Zeus, starting with his grandfather and grandmother, Ura...
Nov 13, 2022•55 min•Transcript available on Metacast In November of 1922, British archaeologist Howard Carter, thanks to benefactor Lord Carnarvon, discovered the untouched tomb of Tutankhamun. Otherwise erased from history, the tomb of this 18th Dynasty Pharaoh would go on to change the world. Undoubtedly cited as one of the greatest archaeological finds in human history, do we really know what happened in November 1922? Or is there more to the story? In the second episode of our Tutankhamun series, Tristan is joined by Egyptologist and author Bo...
Nov 10, 2022•38 min•Transcript available on Metacast 200,000 years ago in what is now Tibet, two children left a set of hand and foot prints on a travertine boulder, still identifiable today and is thought to be the earliest example of cave art. In today’s episode, Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr Sally Reynolds from the University of Bournemouth, who describes the evidence that suggests this was a deliberate act of creativity, highlighting the human urge to make art goes back millennia. We also learn that these feet and hands likely belong to Denis...
Nov 06, 2022•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast Tutankhamun is one of the most famous names in ancient history. Known as the 'Boy King', he ascended the Egyptian throne at the age of 9 and ruled for just under a decade. In this time, there's evidence of his sporting activities, his religious restoration, and even his penchant for an ancient Egyptian board game. But is there more to the Boy King than his tomb tells us? In this episode, Tristan is joined by Professor Joyce Tyldesley to launch our new November mini-series diving into all things ...
Nov 03, 2022•48 min•Transcript available on Metacast Located in modern day Ukraine, Olbia was the largest ancient Greek settlement on the coast of the Black Sea. A mix of Scythian and Greek culture, Olbia interacted with settlements and cultures across the ancient world. In this episode, Tristan is joined by Dr Owen Rees to talk about the fascinating and wonderful history of this peripheral city state - that despite all odds, managed not only to survive, but ultimately thrive. For more Ancients content, subscribe to our Ancients newsletter h...
Oct 30, 2022•40 min•Transcript available on Metacast Nicknamed the 8th wonder of the ancient world, the Colosseum still stands in splendour today. Located in the heart of Rome, nestled at the bottom of the Palatine Hill, neighbouring the ancient Roman Forum - the Colosseum is nearly 2000 years old. But who is responsible for this colossal amphitheatre, and what exactly was it built for? Tristan is joined by Dr Nathan Elkins to talk about this monument of Roman imperialism, and to take a look at the role it has played throughout history. Taking 10 ...
Oct 27, 2022•44 min•Transcript available on Metacast Born to slaves in 1863, John Wesley Gilbert was the first student of the Paine Institute, a graduate of Brown University, and the first black archaeologist. While at Brown, he was awarded a scholarship to study abroad at the American School of Classical studies in Athens, Greece. Here, he helped to shape modern archaeology as we know it today. Working tirelessly, and meticulously on excavations where he helped uncover the ancient city of Eretria, Gilbert also travelled across the country to beau...
Oct 23, 2022•39 min•Transcript available on Metacast One of Antiquity's greatest poets, Virgil's legacy is seen across history. Following in the footsteps of his predecessor's Homer and Hesiod - Virgil's work inspires people even today. With inspiration for his poems coming from the political turmoil and change around him, Virgil's work offers insight into the tumultuous time he was living in. But who was Virgil, and why are his work's still so revered? In this episode, Tristan is joined by Dr Anne Rogerson from the University of Sydney to help sh...
Oct 20, 2022•42 min•Transcript available on Metacast Around 5200 years ago, during the Neolithic period, when farming first took hold, Orkney was a hugely influential cultural centre. Yet, as Europe moved into the Bronze Age, the islands’ influence dwindled and Orkney became more insular. But what do we know about the arrival of the Bronze Age in Orkney and Scotland? In today’s episode of The Ancients, Tristan is joined by Professor Martin Richards from University of Huddersfield, one of the leaders of an exciting new research project. Working alo...
Oct 16, 2022•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
