The First Toolmakers
The Ancients20 Apr 2023

The First Toolmakers

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 are we?


In this episode Tristan welcomes the Professor Fred Spoor back to the podcast to help answer some of these questions. Together they look at some of these recent archaeological discoveries and how they change our understanding of human history. Examining, and questioning, some long-held assumptions about our distant ancestors, they journey through the mid-pliocene to help piece together this murky moment of history.


The Senior Producer was Elena Guthrie

The Assistant Producer was Annie Coloe

Mixed & edited by Aidan Lonergan


For more Ancients content, subscribe to our Ancients newsletter here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Avsnitt(595)

Medea: Maligned Sorceress or Heartless Murderer?

Medea: Maligned Sorceress or Heartless Murderer?

She helped Jason win the Golden Fleece, betrayed her own family, and became one of the most feared figures in Greek myth. Medea’s name has echoed through the ancient world for over two millennia, a by...

11 Jan 52min

Fall of Sparta

Fall of Sparta

How did Sparta, the most feared military state in ancient Greece, fall from grace in a single generation?In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr Roel Konijnendijk and Dr Owen R...

8 Jan 1h 14min

Rise of Christianity

Rise of Christianity

How did a persecuted minority religion rise to be embraced and enforced by mighty Roman Emperors?Tristan Hughes is joined by Professor Peter Heather to chart the dramatic rise of Christianity, explori...

4 Jan 1h 7min

The First Life on Earth

The First Life on Earth

Today we’re going back to the beginning – no Romans, Celts, Egyptians or Macedonians in sight. Billions of years of prehistory as we look at the emergence of life on Earth. From the rise of the earlie...

1 Jan 1h 22min

The Ice Age

The Ice Age

Think of the Ice Age and tales of ferocious sabre-toothed tigers and giant megafauna likely spring to mind - but what do we know about prehistoric human culture 25,000 years ago and how people survive...

28 Dec 202532min

The Minoan Labyrinth

The Minoan Labyrinth

Assassin’s Creed Odyssey immerses players in the mythology of Ancient Greece. In particular, they can walk in the footsteps of Theseus through the Labyrinth and come face to face with the mythical Min...

25 Dec 202542min

Emperor Diocletian and the Great Persecution

Emperor Diocletian and the Great Persecution

How did a humble Balkan soldier ascend to the heights of Roman power?Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr. David Gwynn to explore the tumultuous reign of Emperor Diocletian and the significant reforms that ...

21 Dec 202557min

Paestum: Ancient Greeks in Italy

Paestum: Ancient Greeks in Italy

The story of ancient Italy is so much more than just Rome. In this special episode, we're shining a light on the extraordinary site of Paestum in southern Italy, home to some of the greatest ancient G...

18 Dec 202555min

Populärt inom Historia

motiv
massmordarpodden
p3-historia
historiska-brott
olosta-mord
rss-massmordarpodden
historiepodden-se
rss-seriemordarpodden
historianu-med-urban-lindstedt
krigshistoriepodden
rss-brottsligt
podme-bio-4
rss-arkiv-stieg
nu-blir-det-historia
militarhistoriepodden
harrisons-dramatiska-historia
konspirationsteorier
palmemordet
vetenskapsradion-historia
rss-borgvattnets-hemligheter