Everything We Think We Know About Early Human History is Wrong | David Wengrow on Downstream

Humans have existed for at least 200,000 years. Yet until recently, historians believed that cities, astronomy, architecture and numeracy did not arrive until agriculture emerged some 12,000 years ago. But what if that was wrong? What if cities existed before agriculture and our hunter gatherer ancestors enjoyed a far more complex existence than we thought? And if they did, then what are the implications for modern political theory - which justifies inequality on the basis that we live in a higher, more sophisticated form of society that was always inevitable? What if there were social revolutions before documented history? And what if humankind had engaged in innumerable experiments in how best to live - including ones that involved the rejection of what we would consider to be ‘civilisation’? Aaron Bastani discusses all of that, and more, with archaeologist and co-author of the bestselling ‘Dawn of Everything’ David Wengrow.

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[kennethpace]

The lighting and the shirt keeps making me think I'm watching an early episode of Star Trek.

[eclecticapoetica]

The Dawn of Everything has been recommended to me by my Tutor in Archaeology and Ancient History. It’s my second undergraduate degree in Archaeology, the first was in Australian Prehistory. Well before the publication of Dark Emu, there was a burgeoning of evidence that our concept of simple Hunter gatherers trapped in some primitive, as yet unevolved, state was simply not sustainable.
I I’m so glad that the big questions are finally being asked archaeologists.

[christopherstewart]

It is ironic that a video entitled "Everything We Think We Know About Early Human History is Wrong" wonders why YouTube viewers are attracted to "pseudoarcheology" videos whose premise is that everything we know about early human history is wrong.

[HUGO]

BBC used to do good stuff like this. They may still do but BBC NEWS and politics have damaged their reputation. I don't switch the TV on

[NomadArchitecture]

Having worked with modern hunter gatherer and indigenous peoples all over the word I can confirm that all of them are just as intelligent as anyone, and more intelligent/skilled/kinder than most. I cant comment on the past however.

[philmccavity]

In a world of uncouth loud braying, it's always so refreshing to hear nuanced, carefully tuned replies full of empathy towards opposing viewpoints. Many scientists even fail to embue their criticism with such grace.

[Bisquick]

_"The ultimate hidden truth of the world is that it is something we make and could just as easily make differently."_ - the late great David Graeber

[archivist]

The discussions between the two Davids must have been mind-blowing. What a shame they couldn't both be here to be interviewed. But thank you Aaron, for introducing us to this intelligent, softly spoken, and insightful author and academic.

[CecilBothwell]

This discussion reminds me of a story Buckminster Fuller related. Per Fuller, when Europeans first encountered Polynesians the islanders were mocked because their number system only contained two numbers (yet they navigated great distances between islands). Of course the laptop I'm typing on works on two numbers as well.

[jameschappelow]

As a retired History and Politics teacher I am happy to say that I have rarely enjoyed a discussion so much. I ordered a copy of the. Book this morning and it arrived tonight. Sorry, I should have visited an independent book shop but I could not wait. Very inspirational. Thank you.

[ayesaac]

Gobleki Tepe may or may not have been a 'city', but Karahan Tepe nearby, which is much older, seems to be. It's larger, is full of residences, and is one of dozens of such settlements in a roughly 50 mile radius. The Tepes clearly made up a large, permanently settled pre-agriculture society, the only problem is we've hardly scratched the surface on the absolutely massive number of constructions in the region.

[blackspade]

As a fellow archaeologist, the book is incredible. Highly recommended.

[rudolfboukal]

I've been reading Graeber's writings, and have already gotten my copy of His work with Wengrow. I found this interview stimulating, and thought that the host was exceptionally good - he offered great questions and kept an interesting conversation all the more so. Moreover, I found that not only does David Wengrow present himself as an excellent scientist, and teacher - but he is also a humble and wise soul as well. Such a well spent evening listening to this. Thank you for sharing - liked and subscribed!!

[alexwolfe]

why are we still stuck. intellectually in the 1700's? A: our history is written as a means of control, not an actual accounting, universities are where knowledge goes to die and become embalmed, when they say; " the birth of agriculture" it means the start of commercial, large scale, artificial agriculture. indigenous peoples were always planting, tending and harvesting, just not in a monoculture grid.

[keithmartin]

Why does this interview look like it's taking place on the USS Enterprise?

[waza]

The problem with theories like this that radically depart from the conventional wisdom is that almost everyone reacts to them in the wrong way. There are some that jump on immediately wholeheartedly and a a lot who reject out of hand. Most of these types of theories will turn out to be incorrect, but some will be true and the only way we can tell which these are is to interact with and discuss them without immediately jumping on one side or the other.

[juliettebouchery]

I loved the book. These issues are crucial and absolutely need to be included in our current discussion about how we want to live as a society. The simple idea that there are choices...

[darrengagliardi]

With what we’re learning of global cataclysms, it is hard to rule out the possibility that there have been periods of advanced human development, perhaps multiple times, over the past several hundred thousand years.

[kimberlygreenland]

This talk made me think deeper than I have in awhile. Thank you for your work. RIP David Graeber

[artcenterjo]

Thank you Mr Bastani and Novara Media for this excellent interview. Great work Mr Wengrow, and heartened to hear you speak of David Graeber. Many of us miss his presence and intellect and are glad his remembrance lives on.