The Ancients

In this special episode of the Ancients, released just hours after the embargo on new research was lifted, Tristan Hughes discusses the fascinating discovery of ancient Siberian ice mummies and their tattoos with Dr Gino Caspari, the senior author of the study. The Iron Age Pazyryk culture, renowned for their elaborate burials in the Altai Mountains, is explored through their well-preserved remains and artefacts. Dr Caspari shares insights into the significance of the tattoos, the methods used to create them, and what these incredible findings reveal about the Pazyryk society. Access the article here - https://doi.org/10.15184/aqy.2025.10150 [https://doi.org/10.15184/aqy.2025.10150] MORE Birth of the Iron Age https://open.spotify.com/episode/6emHXY7Cv8xImTcVAi4mrf [https://open.spotify.com/episode/6emHXY7Cv8xImTcVAi4mrf] Kazakstan's Valley of Kings https://open.spotify.com/episode/1wdwiXUyvSwbghteYA3unK [https://open.spotify.com/episode/1wdwiXUyvSwbghteYA3unK] Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan and the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff. All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds The Ancients is a History Hit podcast. LIVE SHOW: Buy tickets for The Ancients at the London Podcast Festival here: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/the-ancients-2/ [https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/the-ancients-2/] Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe [https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe].  You can take part in our listener survey here [https://insights.historyhit.com/history-hit-podcast-always-on]: https://insights.historyhit.com/history-hit-podcast-always-on [https://insights.historyhit.com/history-hit-podcast-always-on]

Why was London transformed from a bustling Roman metropolis into a ghost town by the fifth century? Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr Dominic Perring to explore the rich archaeological findings that reveal the city's final chapters, including the building of defensive walls, the influence of key figures like Magnus Maximus, and the economic shifts impacting the Roman Empire. They discuss the cosmopolitan makeup of Roman London and the significant rise and fall cycles it experienced before its eventual disappearance beneath the rubble. MORE The Roman Invasion of Britain https://open.spotify.com/episode/1lTa6DyKYntcPdkRrvwCnc [https://open.spotify.com/episode/1lTa6DyKYntcPdkRrvwCnc] The Fall of Roman Britain https://open.spotify.com/episode/6vMwL1dueziXVNOwloY9xn [https://open.spotify.com/episode/6vMwL1dueziXVNOwloY9xn] Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan and the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff. All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds The Ancients is a History Hit podcast. LIVE SHOW: Buy tickets for The Ancients at the London Podcast Festival here: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/the-ancients-2/ [https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/the-ancients-2/] Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe [https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe].  You can take part in our listener survey here [https://insights.historyhit.com/history-hit-podcast-always-on]: https://insights.historyhit.com/history-hit-podcast-always-on [https://insights.historyhit.com/history-hit-podcast-always-on]

Epic heroes, sacred rivers & ancient gods – this is Irish mythology as you’ve never heard it. From Newgrange to the Hill of Tara, Ireland’s myths are rooted firmly in its prehistoric past. In today's episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by Anthony Murphy to explore the rich tapestry of Irish mythology – stories of divine battles, magical beings, and legendary landscapes. Discover how ancient sites are entwined with tales passed down through centuries and how stories featuring giants, all-seeing eyes and even a 'salmon of knowledge' were preserved by Christian monks in medieval manuscripts. This is your gateway to the epic, otherworldly world of Ireland’s ancient lore. MORE Prehistoric Ireland: Newgrange: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5zcgcrW1h1pZpirb1hhmLV [https://open.spotify.com/episode/5zcgcrW1h1pZpirb1hhmLV] The First Irish: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-ancients/id1520403988?i=1000554323114 [https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-ancients/id1520403988?i=1000554323114] Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan and the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff. All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds The Ancients is a History Hit podcast. LIVE SHOW: Buy tickets for The Ancients at the London Podcast Festival here: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/the-ancients-2/ [https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/the-ancients-2/] Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe [https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe].  You can take part in our listener survey here [https://insights.historyhit.com/history-hit-podcast-always-on]: https://insights.historyhit.com/history-hit-podcast-always-on [https://insights.historyhit.com/history-hit-podcast-always-on]

As part of our week of Sharks on the Ancients, today we tell the story of Megalodon, the largest living marine animal, ever. Does this colossal prehistoric shark still lurk beneath the waves? Tristan Hughes is joined by leading expert Professor John Long to unveil the jaw-dropping size, power, and ferocity of this ancient super-predator. John recounts his incredible fossil discoveries which chart evolutionary milestones, and reveals the mind-blowing hunting strategies of Megalodon.  MORE Prehistoric Ireland: Newgrange https://shows.acast.com/the-ancients/episodes/prehistoric-ireland-newgrange [https://shows.acast.com/the-ancients/episodes/prehistoric-ireland-newgrange] Woolly Mammoths https://open.spotify.com/episode/2CqmGAaFfqm2yFFsSHXpsX [https://open.spotify.com/episode/2CqmGAaFfqm2yFFsSHXpsX] Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan, the senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff. All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds The Ancients is a History Hit podcast. LIVE SHOW: Buy tickets for The Ancients at the London Podcast Festival here: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/the-ancients-2/ [https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/the-ancients-2/] Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe [https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe].  You can take part in our listener survey here [https://insights.historyhit.com/history-hit-podcast-always-on]: https://insights.historyhit.com/history-hit-podcast-always-on [https://insights.historyhit.com/history-hit-podcast-always-on]

Long before the first dinosaurs, the first trees or even the formation of the rings of Saturn, our planet's oceans were ruled by prehistoric sharks. Across two special episodes of The Ancients this week, Tristan Hughes is joined by Professor John Long to journey back 300 million years and dive into the deep history of sharks – from their humble origins to their golden age as apex predators. In today's episode John takes us on a whirlwind tour from the first sharks to a beast who had "Jaws and teeth that were giant wheels of death" - the Helicopron. Join us to unpack just how sharks evolved into one of the most successful lineages in Earth’s history - it’s an adventure through 400 million years of evolution, extinction, and dominance in the prehistoric seas. Welcome to our week of Sharks! MORE Tyrannosaurus Rex https://open.spotify.com/episode/3uxH3HHjSuEk0mHmjFU9k7 [https://open.spotify.com/episode/3uxH3HHjSuEk0mHmjFU9k7] The First Dogs https://open.spotify.com/episode/6fpF68aiJUIbMv6AzXxfC6 [https://open.spotify.com/episode/6fpF68aiJUIbMv6AzXxfC6] Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan, the producer is Joseph Knight, the senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff. All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds The Ancients is a History Hit podcast. LIVE SHOW: Buy tickets for The Ancients at the London Podcast Festival here: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/the-ancients-2/ [https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/the-ancients-2/] Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe [https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe].  You can take part in our listener survey here [https://insights.historyhit.com/history-hit-podcast-always-on]: https://insights.historyhit.com/history-hit-podcast-always-on [https://insights.historyhit.com/history-hit-podcast-always-on]