A New Understanding of Human History and the Roots of Inequality | David Wengrow | TED

What if the commonly accepted narratives about the foundation of civilization are all wrong? Drawing on groundbreaking research, archaeologist David Wengrow challenges traditional thinking about the social evolution of humanity -- from the invention of agriculture to the formation of cities and class systems -- and explains how rethinking history can radically change our perspective on inequality and modern life.

Follow TED!

#TED #TEDTalks

[kimmariefaber]

I graduated from McGill university with a diploma in Anthropology where we were taught the Fertile Crescent was the beginning of civilization. I always thought there had to be more to it than that. Life led me in a different direction from pursuing this subject, but I am glad to hear that There Is more to this. History is written by the “winners” and how few they are.

[PRITZ]

Very insightful. I am from India and everyone in the Indian school system have been taught about the Indus Valley civilisation and their cities like Mohenjo Daro, etc. which the speaker mentions briefly. But these cities have been noted for their utilitarian design, especially on urban sanitation and roads. We have never been taught about their egalitarian qualities. This is a wonderful aspect to hear about!

[neodlehoko]

Excellent! This is a conversation we need to be having world wide. Imagine if every community around the world were to be reminded of its actual history, and the history of other places. We wouldn't feel so stuck in a rut.

[williamkz]

Nearly every time I hear a TED talk, I learn something new. This one taught me several new things, for which I'm grateful. And congratulations to David Wengrow for his effortless pronunciation of all those ancient places with almost unpronounceable names.

[TheBorderRyker]

“In a time of deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” - sometimes attributed to George Orwell.
That was one of the best TED talks I’ve ever had the pleasure of listening to. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[nupurnishant]

I am happy to see there are still high quality TED talks.

[Prometheus]

If you liked this talk, read the book he wrote with Graber called Dawn of Everything.

He doesn't really do a great job of talking about the evidence in this talk (probably because that's hard to do in a talk) but he and Graeber do a fabulous job of it in the book.

[fauxjaux]

The regular Beating of the Ego to remind politicians who is in charge- brilliant.

[kayzar]

Its a brilliant book and we sorely miss the late great David Graeber

[kayakMike]

Gobekli tepe discovery struck me as compelling evidence against the narrative.
There were also lots of stories about ancient India, very interesting.

[diarmuidh]

I suggest that the kings and the nobility arose not with early agrarian agriculture, but when the (entirely separate development) of northern/ steppe based culture of herder-agriculture (which was much more militarised) and this culture then encountered the grain agriculturalists - and invaded them and took over. The nobility were the descendants of the invaders.
This is a variant of Gimbutas theory of history (Now called the Yamnaya hypothesis) but writ large. All the early grain civilisations were eventually taken over by herder (usually horse-based) militaries. You even can see this in the changes in their armies - for those civilisations that survived - now with nobles.

[gorkemgulan]

We are unstoppable, another world is possible ❤️

[cpacoop]

Sociocracy is the operating system for this new world! I highly recommend researching Sociocracy. It's not socialism. It's not governance by consensus. It's a paradigm shift to consent based decision making were groups of rotating decision makers listen deeply to the people impacted by a given issue and draft policy that is "safe enough to try" instead if "perfect." It's iterative, adaptive, and it has revolutionized my workplace.

[martinzarzarmusic]

One of the most eye-opening lectures I’ve ever heard.

[esthermcdonald]

An excellent presentation by an exceptionally intelligent man

[travistownsend]

I am just finishing his book with Gareber. Just mind-blowing and so important. I got my degree in history and wish I could have learned from them!

[eleonoraf.]

I am studying his book, written with David Graber RIP. Amazing!

[darrell]

This video has caused me to think in ways I have thought before, but with new meaning. For example, a task master is a master over tasks, not over people.

[brunolerman]

This is amazing! I´m a historian and was stunned by such open minded concepts. We may be watching a kind of a prophet. There are no boundaries for mankind to reinvent itself. Marvellous!

[mindvolution]

Excellent talk! This world is definitely not the only one possible. I do firmly believe that new forms of political governance and social organization need to and will develop in the future evolution of human societies and civilization.