01 Introduction and the Dawn of Civilization

my name is Rob Monaco and I'd like to my name is Rob Monaco and I'd like to welcome you to the very first episode of welcome you to the very first episode of welcome you to the very first episode of the podcast history of our world this is the podcast history of our world this is the podcast history of our world this is where it all begins my attempt to weave where it all begins my attempt to weave where it all begins my attempt to weave a cohesive narrative of humanity's time a cohesive narrative of humanity's time a cohesive narrative of humanity's time here on earth a story that starts at the here on earth a story that starts at the here on earth a story that starts at the earliest beginning of all things and earliest beginning of all things and earliest beginning of all things and concludes in the modern age eventually concludes in the modern age eventually concludes in the modern age eventually in each chapter will traverse the globe in each chapter will traverse the globe in each chapter will traverse the globe exploring the roots of our current exploring the roots of our current exploring the roots of our current societies shining a light on cultures societies shining a light on cultures societies shining a light on cultures typically overlooked and better typically overlooked and better typically overlooked and better understand the men and women who bent understand the men and women who bent understand the men and women who bent the world to their vision for better or the world to their vision for better or the world to their vision for better or worse traditional history tends to focus worse traditional history tends to focus worse traditional history tends to focus on certain areas politics war economic on certain areas politics war economic on certain areas politics war economic stuff like that but this program seeks stuff like that but this program seeks stuff like that but this program seeks out more art philosophy literature out more art philosophy literature out more art philosophy literature religion food and this means spending religion food and this means spending religion food and this means spending time talking about interesting stuff time talking about interesting stuff time talking about interesting stuff this isn't some slapdash adventure where this isn't some slapdash adventure where this isn't some slapdash adventure where we go from the Peloponnesian wars to the we go from the Peloponnesian wars to the we go from the Peloponnesian wars to the Middle Ages in just ten episodes true Middle Ages in just ten episodes true Middle Ages in just ten episodes true this podcast will move faster than other this podcast will move faster than other this podcast will move faster than other history shows but we also have a lot history shows but we also have a lot history shows but we also have a lot more to cover we simply can't get all more to cover we simply can't get all more to cover we simply can't get all hyper focused about one topic of history hyper focused about one topic of history hyper focused about one topic of history otherwise it'll be three years from now otherwise it'll be three years from now otherwise it'll be three years from now and we'll just be wrapping up the fall and we'll just be wrapping up the fall and we'll just be wrapping up the fall of the Roman Empire of the Roman Empire of the Roman Empire and all of since quit the podcast to and all of since quit the podcast to and all of since quit the podcast to make a fortune developing a history make a fortune developing a history make a fortune developing a history themed video games why not it could themed video games why not it could themed video games why not it could happen but if you're worried there won't happen but if you're worried there won't happen but if you're worried there won't be enough detail well mark my words you be enough detail well mark my words you be enough detail well mark my words you will learn the format of this show is will learn the format of this show is will learn the format of this show is presenting history in a light-hearted presenting history in a light-hearted presenting history in a light-hearted fashion I don't do the stuffy lecture fashion I don't do the stuffy lecture fashion I don't do the stuffy lecture thing well expect to connect with the thing well expect to connect with the thing well expect to connect with the events and characters and ways you events and characters and ways you events and characters and ways you didn't think possible from history also

didn't think possible from history also didn't think possible from history also corny jokes not too much but it can't be corny jokes not too much but it can't be corny jokes not too much but it can't be helped this is also being recorded as a helped this is also being recorded as a helped this is also being recorded as a linear story meaning that we spend a linear story meaning that we spend a linear story meaning that we spend a certain amount of time with one certain amount of time with one certain amount of time with one civilization before switching to another civilization before switching to another civilization before switching to another to catch those folks up to where we are to catch those folks up to where we are to catch those folks up to where we are in the timeline and I do mean story in the timeline and I do mean story in the timeline and I do mean story because each episode I've devoted many because each episode I've devoted many because each episode I've devoted many hours to rewriting a narrative to hours to rewriting a narrative to hours to rewriting a narrative to hopefully capture your attention why do hopefully capture your attention why do hopefully capture your attention why do history like this history like this history like this well because let's just say I'm a well because let's just say I'm a well because let's just say I'm a devotee of the big man of history the devotee of the big man of history the devotee of the big man of history the ancient Greek writer Herodotus hey who ancient Greek writer Herodotus hey who ancient Greek writer Herodotus hey who just called him the father of lies just called him the father of lies just called him the father of lies that's slander and I oughta I oughta that's slander and I oughta I oughta that's slander and I oughta I oughta all right maybe he took some rumors as all right maybe he took some rumors as all right maybe he took some rumors as truth man maybe he fudged the facts a truth man maybe he fudged the facts a truth man maybe he fudged the facts a bit okay fine and he fabricated almost bit okay fine and he fabricated almost bit okay fine and he fabricated almost all the dialogue like we're so perfect all the dialogue like we're so perfect all the dialogue like we're so perfect well my man Herodotus might not know well my man Herodotus might not know well my man Herodotus might not know about journalistic integrity but he about journalistic integrity but he about journalistic integrity but he still read over 2,000 years later and still read over 2,000 years later and still read over 2,000 years later and it's still enjoyable and that's the big it's still enjoyable and that's the big it's still enjoyable and that's the big thing here it's always been my belief thing here it's always been my belief thing here it's always been my belief that history is best enjoyed as a grand that history is best enjoyed as a grand that history is best enjoyed as a grand story and it's far better than any story and it's far better than any story and it's far better than any fiction novel because the truth can be fiction novel because the truth can be fiction novel because the truth can be two different things depending on the two different things depending on the two different things depending on the account you read heroes become villains account you read heroes become villains account you read heroes become villains and terrorists become freedom fighters and terrorists become freedom fighters and terrorists become freedom fighters just consider how near demonic the just consider how near demonic the just consider how near demonic the Spanish conquistadors must have appeared Spanish conquistadors must have appeared Spanish conquistadors must have appeared to the Aztecs long beards metal armor to the Aztecs long beards metal armor to the Aztecs long beards metal armor the sounds of cannon fire and hoofbeats the sounds of cannon fire and hoofbeats the sounds of cannon fire and hoofbeats roaring through their doomed capital roaring through their doomed capital roaring through their doomed capital city to nakta claun or conversely how city to nakta claun or conversely how city to nakta claun or conversely how savagely barbaric the Aztecs appear to savagely barbaric the Aztecs appear to savagely barbaric the Aztecs appear to the Spanish dressing in animal skins and

the Spanish dressing in animal skins and the Spanish dressing in animal skins and feathers worshipping a flayed God feathers worshipping a flayed God feathers worshipping a flayed God plunging obsidian daggers into captive plunging obsidian daggers into captive plunging obsidian daggers into captive and screaming prisoners well they're and screaming prisoners well they're and screaming prisoners well they're still beating hearts are torn from their still beating hearts are torn from their still beating hearts are torn from their chests you get my point chests you get my point chests you get my point he's either side wrong no but neither is he's either side wrong no but neither is he's either side wrong no but neither is either side right and so we will try our either side right and so we will try our either side right and so we will try our best to observe history from a best to observe history from a best to observe history from a humanistic perspective that means humanistic perspective that means humanistic perspective that means sometimes taking sides sometimes taking sides sometimes taking sides sometimes criticizing and judging and sometimes criticizing and judging and sometimes criticizing and judging and other times celebrating the good our other times celebrating the good our other times celebrating the good our ancestors achieved histories about real ancestors achieved histories about real ancestors achieved histories about real people who lived and breathed and fought people who lived and breathed and fought people who lived and breathed and fought and loved but it's also about the people and loved but it's also about the people and loved but it's also about the people and events that may be lacking evidence and events that may be lacking evidence and events that may be lacking evidence but persist on it's not ancient aliens but persist on it's not ancient aliens but persist on it's not ancient aliens it's a wish to hear forgotten names it's a wish to hear forgotten names it's a wish to hear forgotten names heard once more so what do you think are heard once more so what do you think are heard once more so what do you think are you ready to join me on a trip through you ready to join me on a trip through you ready to join me on a trip through time they'll take that as a yes and time they'll take that as a yes and time they'll take that as a yes and before we start you can always find me before we start you can always find me before we start you can always find me on twitter at podcast history on on twitter at podcast history on on twitter at podcast history on facebook or the easiest way is just to facebook or the easiest way is just to facebook or the easiest way is just to visit podcast history of our world com visit podcast history of our world com visit podcast history of our world com come peruse the bibliography check out come peruse the bibliography check out come peruse the bibliography check out episode resources let's think about episode resources let's think about episode resources let's think about buying a shirt or a sticker or even buying a shirt or a sticker or even buying a shirt or a sticker or even supporting me on patreon but maybe supporting me on patreon but maybe supporting me on patreon but maybe listen to a few episodes before you listen to a few episodes before you listen to a few episodes before you commit to that commit to that commit to that all right podcast Dorian's here we go all right podcast Dorian's here we go all right podcast Dorian's here we go there's no turning back now so buckle up there's no turning back now so buckle up there's no turning back now so buckle up or hold on tight because or hold on tight because or hold on tight because adventure begins in three two one adventure begins in three two one adventure begins in three two one [Music]

chapter one chapter one let there be history let there be history let there be history to paraphrase a pretty famous book in to paraphrase a pretty famous book in to paraphrase a pretty famous book in the beginning there was nothing I know the beginning there was nothing I know the beginning there was nothing I know I've already started the podcast off on I've already started the podcast off on I've already started the podcast off on a cliche but this statement is not a cliche but this statement is not a cliche but this statement is not entirely true in the beginning there was entirely true in the beginning there was entirely true in the beginning there was everything as well as a whole lot of everything as well as a whole lot of everything as well as a whole lot of nothing our universe the only universe nothing our universe the only universe nothing our universe the only universe we definitely know of began its we definitely know of began its we definitely know of began its existence as an unfathomably dense hot existence as an unfathomably dense hot existence as an unfathomably dense hot ball of matter until it furiously ball of matter until it furiously ball of matter until it furiously expanded creating all the hydrogen and expanded creating all the hydrogen and expanded creating all the hydrogen and helium in the universe in the first 30 helium in the universe in the first 30 helium in the universe in the first 30 minutes of what we'd refer to now as minutes of what we'd refer to now as minutes of what we'd refer to now as time incidentally the earth will run out time incidentally the earth will run out time incidentally the earth will run out of helium within about 25 to 30 years at of helium within about 25 to 30 years at of helium within about 25 to 30 years at our current rate of usage our current rate of usage our current rate of usage it's a non-renewable resource folks and it's a non-renewable resource folks and it's a non-renewable resource folks and that's not good sure it means no more that's not good sure it means no more that's not good sure it means no more squeaky cartoon chipmunk voices or squeaky cartoon chipmunk voices or squeaky cartoon chipmunk voices or balloons stuck in trees but also no more balloons stuck in trees but also no more balloons stuck in trees but also no more MRIs there's plenty to be found in MRIs there's plenty to be found in MRIs there's plenty to be found in asteroids but you know that's a whole asteroids but you know that's a whole asteroids but you know that's a whole other set of challenges where was I other set of challenges where was I other set of challenges where was I going with this going with this going with this well anyway moving closer to home about well anyway moving closer to home about well anyway moving closer to home about 9 billion years after the initial 9 billion years after the initial 9 billion years after the initial expansion of the universe we see the expansion of the universe we see the expansion of the universe we see the formation of our most favourite star the formation of our most favourite star the formation of our most favourite star the Sun a hundred million years later the Sun a hundred million years later the Sun a hundred million years later the planets are formed for mass that had planets are formed for mass that had planets are formed for mass that had been ejected from the Sun but hadn't been ejected from the Sun but hadn't been ejected from the Sun but hadn't escaped its gravitational pull these escaped its gravitational pull these escaped its gravitational pull these ranged from the massive gas giants like ranged from the massive gas giants like ranged from the massive gas giants like Neptune where it rains hailstone sized Neptune where it rains hailstone sized Neptune where it rains hailstone sized diamonds to desolate mercury where diamonds to desolate mercury where diamonds to desolate mercury where temperatures fluctuate from about 400 temperatures fluctuate from about 400 temperatures fluctuate from about 400 degrees Fahrenheit in the day to minus degrees Fahrenheit in the day to minus degrees Fahrenheit in the day to minus 270 at night and for reasons that still

270 at night and for reasons that still 270 at night and for reasons that still seem extraordinary to the point of seem extraordinary to the point of seem extraordinary to the point of miraculous it was the 3rd oblate miraculous it was the 3rd oblate miraculous it was the 3rd oblate spheroid from the Sun that at all the spheroid from the Sun that at all the spheroid from the Sun that at all the conditions necessary to become more than conditions necessary to become more than conditions necessary to become more than just some rock and space although at just some rock and space although at just some rock and space although at first the earth best resembled a hellish first the earth best resembled a hellish first the earth best resembled a hellish nightmare with massive super volcanoes nightmare with massive super volcanoes nightmare with massive super volcanoes belching forth torrents of lava and belching forth torrents of lava and belching forth torrents of lava and enormous storms inundating the ground enormous storms inundating the ground enormous storms inundating the ground with enough water to create the first with enough water to create the first with enough water to create the first oceans once the planet finally cooled oceans once the planet finally cooled oceans once the planet finally cooled off and the weather calmed down a bit off and the weather calmed down a bit off and the weather calmed down a bit 3.8 billion years ago from today the 3.8 billion years ago from today the 3.8 billion years ago from today the very first life took form in the guise very first life took form in the guise very first life took form in the guise of simple organisms these intrepid of simple organisms these intrepid of simple organisms these intrepid little creatures began more in more little creatures began more in more little creatures began more in more complex forms evolving into the complex forms evolving into the complex forms evolving into the multicellular life around 1 billion multicellular life around 1 billion multicellular life around 1 billion years ago and developing into years ago and developing into years ago and developing into well you know the rest of the story well you know the rest of the story well you know the rest of the story there's always that one fish that crawls there's always that one fish that crawls there's always that one fish that crawls out of the water onto land and then out of the water onto land and then out of the water onto land and then you've got amphibians reptiles tiny you've got amphibians reptiles tiny you've got amphibians reptiles tiny mammals dinosaurs birds but it's not mammals dinosaurs birds but it's not mammals dinosaurs birds but it's not until about 2.5 million years ago that until about 2.5 million years ago that until about 2.5 million years ago that we see the introduction of the first we see the introduction of the first we see the introduction of the first member of the genus Homo member of the genus Homo member of the genus Homo it's Homo habilis the handyman so-called it's Homo habilis the handyman so-called it's Homo habilis the handyman so-called because this is the first time we see because this is the first time we see because this is the first time we see our relatives using tools in the form of our relatives using tools in the form of our relatives using tools in the form of stone flakes from there we see Homo stone flakes from there we see Homo stone flakes from there we see Homo erectus upright man comes along about a erectus upright man comes along about a erectus upright man comes along about a million a half years later million a half years later million a half years later Neanderthals about six hundred thousand Neanderthals about six hundred thousand Neanderthals about six hundred thousand years ago and finally homo sapiens wise years ago and finally homo sapiens wise years ago and finally homo sapiens wise man who wiped out our Neanderthal man who wiped out our Neanderthal man who wiped out our Neanderthal cousins through violence and cousins through violence and cousins through violence and interbreeding and spread across the interbreeding and spread across the interbreeding and spread across the world at a tremendous pace I should world at a tremendous pace I should world at a tremendous pace I should mention that we have the swedish taxon

mention that we have the swedish taxon mention that we have the swedish taxon emerge era lessly næss to thank for the emerge era lessly næss to thank for the emerge era lessly næss to thank for the title of sapiens I'll leave it up to you title of sapiens I'll leave it up to you title of sapiens I'll leave it up to you to decide if this was sincerity or to decide if this was sincerity or to decide if this was sincerity or sarcasm right so there you go from sarcasm right so there you go from sarcasm right so there you go from Universal creation to how we came to be Universal creation to how we came to be Universal creation to how we came to be imagine if things had turned out imagine if things had turned out imagine if things had turned out different and dinosaurs were the different and dinosaurs were the different and dinosaurs were the dominant species or maybe some kind of dominant species or maybe some kind of dominant species or maybe some kind of bird people instead of us somewhat bird people instead of us somewhat bird people instead of us somewhat hairless big brained upright Apes the hairless big brained upright Apes the hairless big brained upright Apes the Big Bang is the most commonly accepted Big Bang is the most commonly accepted Big Bang is the most commonly accepted scientific origin story although who's scientific origin story although who's scientific origin story although who's to say what the future holds for this to say what the future holds for this to say what the future holds for this idea I mean as of now the latest debates idea I mean as of now the latest debates idea I mean as of now the latest debates are over whether the universe has simply are over whether the universe has simply are over whether the universe has simply always existed because after all what always existed because after all what always existed because after all what happened before the Big Bang happened before the Big Bang happened before the Big Bang and what about multiverses or Fermi's and what about multiverses or Fermi's and what about multiverses or Fermi's paradox or if life is just some computer paradox or if life is just some computer paradox or if life is just some computer simulation dreamed up by some weird simulation dreamed up by some weird simulation dreamed up by some weird cosmic programmer some deep stuff man at cosmic programmer some deep stuff man at cosmic programmer some deep stuff man at which we're definitely not getting into which we're definitely not getting into which we're definitely not getting into leave that for Startalk or Infinite leave that for Startalk or Infinite leave that for Startalk or Infinite Monkey cage where I'm going with this is Monkey cage where I'm going with this is Monkey cage where I'm going with this is that what about when mankind was young that what about when mankind was young that what about when mankind was young and had no way of relying on science to and had no way of relying on science to and had no way of relying on science to explain the age-old question why are we explain the age-old question why are we explain the age-old question why are we here - that comes humanity's oldest here - that comes humanity's oldest here - that comes humanity's oldest attempt to seek answers from a world attempt to seek answers from a world attempt to seek answers from a world that does not reveal its secrets easily that does not reveal its secrets easily that does not reveal its secrets easily I speak of the creation myth sure we can I speak of the creation myth sure we can I speak of the creation myth sure we can dismiss these as metaphors and just dismiss these as metaphors and just dismiss these as metaphors and just stories nowadays but to the people who stories nowadays but to the people who stories nowadays but to the people who committed these tales to hardest truth committed these tales to hardest truth committed these tales to hardest truth they were very very real and that's they were very very real and that's they were very very real and that's where we begin our history with where we begin our history with where we begin our history with stories our ancestors told each other stories our ancestors told each other stories our ancestors told each other now there are of course way more

now there are of course way more now there are of course way more creation stories than we have time for creation stories than we have time for creation stories than we have time for but for our first chapter I've selected but for our first chapter I've selected but for our first chapter I've selected three we begin in the mountains of three we begin in the mountains of three we begin in the mountains of Georgia the ancestral homeland of the Georgia the ancestral homeland of the Georgia the ancestral homeland of the geology or Cherokee geology or Cherokee geology or Cherokee [Music] in the beginning the earth was just in the beginning the earth was just water and darkness but above it all was water and darkness but above it all was water and darkness but above it all was galloon Lahti the great mystery the galloon Lahti the great mystery the galloon Lahti the great mystery the stone vault that makes the sky where the stone vault that makes the sky where the stone vault that makes the sky where the animals lived but now it was becoming animals lived but now it was becoming animals lived but now it was becoming too crowded for them so they sent water too crowded for them so they sent water too crowded for them so they sent water beetle to explore the earth for land to beetle to explore the earth for land to beetle to explore the earth for land to live on water beetle doped down below live on water beetle doped down below live on water beetle doped down below the water and brought forth mud he did the water and brought forth mud he did the water and brought forth mud he did this over and over again had eventually this over and over again had eventually this over and over again had eventually created the island of Earth this island created the island of Earth this island created the island of Earth this island is suspended from its four corners by is suspended from its four corners by is suspended from its four corners by rope that hangs from the sky which will rope that hangs from the sky which will rope that hangs from the sky which will one day snap plunging the earth back one day snap plunging the earth back one day snap plunging the earth back into the water this new earth however into the water this new earth however into the water this new earth however was still soft from the wet mud but was still soft from the wet mud but was still soft from the wet mud but buzzard flew down anyway thinking he buzzard flew down anyway thinking he buzzard flew down anyway thinking he could land he flapped his wings in vain could land he flapped his wings in vain could land he flapped his wings in vain to fly out of it and as he did so the to fly out of it and as he did so the to fly out of it and as he did so the valleys and mountains were formed and valleys and mountains were formed and valleys and mountains were formed and they would become one day the Cherokee they would become one day the Cherokee they would become one day the Cherokee homeland eventually though the earth did homeland eventually though the earth did homeland eventually though the earth did dry and the animals move down they dry and the animals move down they dry and the animals move down they banished the darkness by having the Sun banished the darkness by having the Sun banished the darkness by having the Sun pass from east to west and raised the pass from east to west and raised the pass from east to west and raised the Sun every day so light could shine after Sun every day so light could shine after Sun every day so light could shine after the animals came forth the plants and

the animals came forth the plants and the animals came forth the plants and after that man appeared they multiplied after that man appeared they multiplied after that man appeared they multiplied with speed and though initially friends with speed and though initially friends with speed and though initially friends with the animals began to hunt them more with the animals began to hunt them more with the animals began to hunt them more and more for food the animals became and more for food the animals became and more for food the animals became alarmed at the humans insatiable hunger alarmed at the humans insatiable hunger alarmed at the humans insatiable hunger and so a Great Council was held and and so a Great Council was held and and so a Great Council was held and decided that any human who kills a deer decided that any human who kills a deer decided that any human who kills a deer without asking for permission will be without asking for permission will be without asking for permission will be cursed with rheumatism the fish birds cursed with rheumatism the fish birds cursed with rheumatism the fish birds reptiles and insects also met and came reptiles and insects also met and came reptiles and insects also met and came up with various diseases with which to up with various diseases with which to up with various diseases with which to afflict man eventually though the plants afflict man eventually though the plants afflict man eventually though the plants met and took pity on mankind they agreed met and took pity on mankind they agreed met and took pity on mankind they agreed to provide medicine to counteract the to provide medicine to counteract the to provide medicine to counteract the curse of the animals which is why so curse of the animals which is why so curse of the animals which is why so many herbs and trees provide antidotes many herbs and trees provide antidotes many herbs and trees provide antidotes and remedies to this day and remedies to this day and remedies to this day [Music] [Music] [Music] as we listen to these myths you'll as we listen to these myths you'll as we listen to these myths you'll notice there are similar themes and notice there are similar themes and notice there are similar themes and events that can be categorized as events that can be categorized as events that can be categorized as following a certain format or featuring following a certain format or featuring following a certain format or featuring characters that fit a traditional characters that fit a traditional characters that fit a traditional archetype in this story for instance we archetype in this story for instance we archetype in this story for instance we see the earth diver myth' where some see the earth diver myth' where some see the earth diver myth' where some creature or hero swims to the bottom of creature or hero swims to the bottom of creature or hero swims to the bottom of a watery earth in order to create the a watery earth in order to create the a watery earth in order to create the land or rescue some sacred object in land or rescue some sacred object in land or rescue some sacred object in this case it's the humble water beetle this case it's the humble water beetle this case it's the humble water beetle but the Haudenosaunee have a similar but the Haudenosaunee have a similar but the Haudenosaunee have a similar tale where it's animals who create the tale where it's animals who create the tale where it's animals who create the land by smearing that submerged mud onto land by smearing that submerged mud onto land by smearing that submerged mud onto the back of a great turtle now we also the back of a great turtle now we also the back of a great turtle now we also see the very specific creation of the see the very specific creation of the see the very specific creation of the cherokee homeland but no mention of any cherokee homeland but no mention of any cherokee homeland but no mention of any other people the theme of unique other people the theme of unique other people the theme of unique creationism features prominently in many

creationism features prominently in many creationism features prominently in many myths but it is sometimes used as the myths but it is sometimes used as the myths but it is sometimes used as the basis to explain a cultures spiritual basis to explain a cultures spiritual basis to explain a cultures spiritual identity like in our next myth where we identity like in our next myth where we identity like in our next myth where we will learn that the gods set out to will learn that the gods set out to will learn that the gods set out to create a series of islands just for a create a series of islands just for a create a series of islands just for a particular population let's listen to particular population let's listen to particular population let's listen to the origins of nihaan and the Nihonjin the origins of nihaan and the Nihonjin the origins of nihaan and the Nihonjin the creation myth of Japan the creation myth of Japan the creation myth of Japan [Music] [Music] [Music] in the beginning of the universe the in the beginning of the universe the in the beginning of the universe the male and female principals formed a sort male and female principals formed a sort male and female principals formed a sort of egg when this egg hatched the top of egg when this egg hatched the top of egg when this egg hatched the top part stretched out and became the part stretched out and became the part stretched out and became the heavens while the bottom part stretched heavens while the bottom part stretched heavens while the bottom part stretched out to become the earth on this young out to become the earth on this young out to become the earth on this young earth the land floated like a fish on earth the land floated like a fish on earth the land floated like a fish on the surface of the water when suddenly a the surface of the water when suddenly a the surface of the water when suddenly a form like Reed shoots sprouted and form like Reed shoots sprouted and form like Reed shoots sprouted and became the cook to'em Otsuka me the became the cook to'em Otsuka me the became the cook to'em Otsuka me the distinguishing heavenly gods soon these distinguishing heavenly gods soon these distinguishing heavenly gods soon these Reed's also produce the brother/sister Reed's also produce the brother/sister Reed's also produce the brother/sister gods izanagi and Izanami whose names gods izanagi and Izanami whose names gods izanagi and Izanami whose names mean male who invites and female who mean male who invites and female who mean male who invites and female who invites they were tasked by the older invites they were tasked by the older invites they were tasked by the older gods to create the world and populate it gods to create the world and populate it gods to create the world and populate it standing on the floating bridge of standing on the floating bridge of standing on the floating bridge of heaven they thrust down a jeweled heaven they thrust down a jeweled heaven they thrust down a jeweled naginata spear deep into the ocean then naginata spear deep into the ocean then naginata spear deep into the ocean then while raising it the water that dripped while raising it the water that dripped while raising it the water that dripped off the blade coagulated and became the off the blade coagulated and became the off the blade coagulated and became the island of oh no gota Jima they descended island of oh no gota Jima they descended island of oh no gota Jima they descended down to this island and built the Great down to this island and built the Great down to this island and built the Great Palace Palace Palace yachiru Don oh when in the palace the

yachiru Don oh when in the palace the yachiru Don oh when in the palace the two met at a column his an ami greeted two met at a column his an ami greeted two met at a column his an ami greeted her brother God and said what a fine her brother God and said what a fine her brother God and said what a fine young man young man young man izanagi greeted her and said what a fine izanagi greeted her and said what a fine izanagi greeted her and said what a fine young woman they knew each other and young woman they knew each other and young woman they knew each other and procreated procreated procreated but the child that came from their union but the child that came from their union but the child that came from their union was he doko the Leech child and alwa was he doko the Leech child and alwa was he doko the Leech child and alwa Shema the floating island disgusted by Shema the floating island disgusted by Shema the floating island disgusted by their monstrous children they banished their monstrous children they banished their monstrous children they banished them from the palace and cast them off them from the palace and cast them off them from the palace and cast them off into the ocean worried that ones as into the ocean worried that ones as into the ocean worried that ones as eminent as they could produce such eminent as they could produce such eminent as they could produce such creatures the brother-sister gods creatures the brother-sister gods creatures the brother-sister gods appealed to the comi appealed to the comi appealed to the comi about what went wrong the comi explained about what went wrong the comi explained about what went wrong the comi explained that their failure producing strong that their failure producing strong that their failure producing strong offspring was the result of the female offspring was the result of the female offspring was the result of the female speaking first this is unlucky and why speaking first this is unlucky and why speaking first this is unlucky and why to this day it is appropriate for the to this day it is appropriate for the to this day it is appropriate for the man to ask first man to ask first man to ask first izanagi and Izanami returned to owner go izanagi and Izanami returned to owner go izanagi and Izanami returned to owner go to Island to try again with the commies to Island to try again with the commies to Island to try again with the commies advice and this time Izanami gave birth advice and this time Izanami gave birth advice and this time Izanami gave birth to the eight great islands of Japan to the eight great islands of Japan to the eight great islands of Japan along with a plethora of nature deities along with a plethora of nature deities along with a plethora of nature deities sadly though her son kagutsu Chi the sadly though her son kagutsu Chi the sadly though her son kagutsu Chi the fire spirit would be the death of her as fire spirit would be the death of her as fire spirit would be the death of her as his flames incinerated his mother at his flames incinerated his mother at his flames incinerated his mother at earth Izanagi was consumed with grief earth Izanagi was consumed with grief earth Izanagi was consumed with grief and sliced off his son's head and and sliced off his son's head and and sliced off his son's head and dismembered his body Izanagi then dismembered his body Izanagi then dismembered his body Izanagi then resolved himself to bring back his resolved himself to bring back his resolved himself to bring back his beloved and made the dangerous journey beloved and made the dangerous journey beloved and made the dangerous journey to Yomi the land of the dead to Yomi the land of the dead to Yomi the land of the dead fumbling through the all-consuming

fumbling through the all-consuming fumbling through the all-consuming darkness of the underworld and a darkness of the underworld and a darkness of the underworld and a desperate search he felt the presence of desperate search he felt the presence of desperate search he felt the presence of his enemy's spirit and called out to her his enemy's spirit and called out to her his enemy's spirit and called out to her to return back to the land of the living to return back to the land of the living to return back to the land of the living a voice replied back to him my husband a voice replied back to him my husband a voice replied back to him my husband why if you come so late I have already why if you come so late I have already why if you come so late I have already eaten of the cooking furnace of Yomi and eaten of the cooking furnace of Yomi and eaten of the cooking furnace of Yomi and cannot return nevertheless I will ask cannot return nevertheless I will ask cannot return nevertheless I will ask the gods of the underworld to go with the gods of the underworld to go with the gods of the underworld to go with you but first I must rest you but first I must rest you but first I must rest I pray though do not look at me Izanagi I pray though do not look at me Izanagi I pray though do not look at me Izanagi either moved by curiosity or refusal to either moved by curiosity or refusal to either moved by curiosity or refusal to honor her wish took out his hair comb honor her wish took out his hair comb honor her wish took out his hair comb and set it on fire for light although he and set it on fire for light although he and set it on fire for light although he instantly regretted his action with the instantly regretted his action with the instantly regretted his action with the darkness banished before him was a sight darkness banished before him was a sight darkness banished before him was a sight of abject horror his own ami stood in of abject horror his own ami stood in of abject horror his own ami stood in front of him a twisted grotesque mockery front of him a twisted grotesque mockery front of him a twisted grotesque mockery of her once radiant person her body was of her once radiant person her body was of her once radiant person her body was swollen devoid of color and pulsing with swollen devoid of color and pulsing with swollen devoid of color and pulsing with maggots clinging to her were numerous maggots clinging to her were numerous maggots clinging to her were numerous thunder and fire spirits who upon seeing thunder and fire spirits who upon seeing thunder and fire spirits who upon seeing the light of fire and a living soul the light of fire and a living soul the light of fire and a living soul screamed with their great otherworldly screamed with their great otherworldly screamed with their great otherworldly voices Izanami gazed upon her husband to voices Izanami gazed upon her husband to voices Izanami gazed upon her husband to see him shaking with revulsion she cried see him shaking with revulsion she cried see him shaking with revulsion she cried out you have shamed me by not honoring out you have shamed me by not honoring out you have shamed me by not honoring my wishes in her rage she unleashed the my wishes in her rage she unleashed the my wishes in her rage she unleashed the Thunder deities which clung to her thigh Thunder deities which clung to her thigh Thunder deities which clung to her thigh at izanagi her brother husband ran as at izanagi her brother husband ran as at izanagi her brother husband ran as fast as he could fast as he could fast as he could he's an ami close behind when he had he's an ami close behind when he had he's an ami close behind when he had reached the entrance to the underworld reached the entrance to the underworld reached the entrance to the underworld his Inagua to seal in his ghastly wife

his Inagua to seal in his ghastly wife his Inagua to seal in his ghastly wife forever in the land of the dead as forever in the land of the dead as forever in the land of the dead as Izanami furiously pounded her fists on Izanami furiously pounded her fists on Izanami furiously pounded her fists on the rock his inaudible from the other side is an omni called from the other side is an omni called out that she would strangle a thousand out that she would strangle a thousand out that she would strangle a thousand people a day in revenge to which he people a day in revenge to which he people a day in revenge to which he replied that if this was so he would replied that if this was so he would replied that if this was so he would cause 1,500 children to be born every cause 1,500 children to be born every cause 1,500 children to be born every day after his trials day after his trials day after his trials izanagi returned home to purify himself izanagi returned home to purify himself izanagi returned home to purify himself from the unclean realm as he removed his from the unclean realm as he removed his from the unclean realm as he removed his robes and adornments these items became robes and adornments these items became robes and adornments these items became new spirits when he washed his face new new spirits when he washed his face new new spirits when he washed his face new gods came forth from his left eye came gods came forth from his left eye came gods came forth from his left eye came Amaterasu goddess of the Sun from his Amaterasu goddess of the Sun from his Amaterasu goddess of the Sun from his right eye Came tsukuyomi God of the moon right eye Came tsukuyomi God of the moon right eye Came tsukuyomi God of the moon and from his nose came Susana oh the and from his nose came Susana oh the and from his nose came Susana oh the tempestuous god of storms having been tempestuous god of storms having been tempestuous god of storms having been cleansed and his task to populate the cleansed and his task to populate the cleansed and his task to populate the world complete Izanagi built in abode on world complete Izanagi built in abode on world complete Izanagi built in abode on the island of a where he went to the island of a where he went to the island of a where he went to dwell in silence and gloom forever the dwell in silence and gloom forever the dwell in silence and gloom forever the moral of the story here of course that moral of the story here of course that moral of the story here of course that there's a right time to ask for there's a right time to ask for there's a right time to ask for something and a wrong time but the something and a wrong time but the something and a wrong time but the Japanese creation myth offers a unique Japanese creation myth offers a unique Japanese creation myth offers a unique take on the history of that country take on the history of that country take on the history of that country namely that the islands of Japan were namely that the islands of Japan were namely that the islands of Japan were specifically created solely for the specifically created solely for the specifically created solely for the Japanese being the favorite children of Japanese being the favorite children of Japanese being the favorite children of the gods gives one a certain the gods gives one a certain the gods gives one a certain nationalistic confidence this will play nationalistic confidence this will play nationalistic confidence this will play out later when Japan is forced to out later when Japan is forced to out later when Japan is forced to confront Mongol invaders and again with

confront Mongol invaders and again with confront Mongol invaders and again with Westerners looking for new markets we're Westerners looking for new markets we're Westerners looking for new markets we're also given a glimpse into traditional also given a glimpse into traditional also given a glimpse into traditional Japanese social etiquette the myth Japanese social etiquette the myth Japanese social etiquette the myth clearly outlines the risks for women clearly outlines the risks for women clearly outlines the risks for women being too forward naturally if you're a being too forward naturally if you're a being too forward naturally if you're a girl looking to make the first move girl looking to make the first move girl looking to make the first move whoa-ho watch out your future children whoa-ho watch out your future children whoa-ho watch out your future children will come out all horribly disfigured or will come out all horribly disfigured or will come out all horribly disfigured or possibly as an island may be the possibly as an island may be the possibly as an island may be the mythological themes here briefly touch mythological themes here briefly touch mythological themes here briefly touch on the earth diver in that the naginata on the earth diver in that the naginata on the earth diver in that the naginata spear carries water instead of mud there spear carries water instead of mud there spear carries water instead of mud there are also new themes like the world are also new themes like the world are also new themes like the world parent who gives birth to not just the parent who gives birth to not just the parent who gives birth to not just the people but also the land and then people but also the land and then people but also the land and then there's the exnihilo myth literally out there's the exnihilo myth literally out there's the exnihilo myth literally out of nothing weird that egg that became of nothing weird that egg that became of nothing weird that egg that became the reed sprouts come from was there a the reed sprouts come from was there a the reed sprouts come from was there a giant cosmic chicken that laid it and giant cosmic chicken that laid it and giant cosmic chicken that laid it and that would just create more questions that would just create more questions that would just create more questions because did the cosmic chicken come from because did the cosmic chicken come from because did the cosmic chicken come from its own cosmic egg there's no its own cosmic egg there's no its own cosmic egg there's no explanation or reason at all for this explanation or reason at all for this explanation or reason at all for this stuff and we're just gonna have to stuff and we're just gonna have to stuff and we're just gonna have to accept it accept it accept it or get a really bad headache thinking or get a really bad headache thinking or get a really bad headache thinking about it on one last thing this myth about it on one last thing this myth about it on one last thing this myth sets up the origins of the Japanese sets up the origins of the Japanese sets up the origins of the Japanese Imperial line starting with the first Imperial line starting with the first Imperial line starting with the first mythical emperor G mu who is a son of mythical emperor G mu who is a son of mythical emperor G mu who is a son of the Sun Goddess Amaterasu divine the Sun Goddess Amaterasu divine the Sun Goddess Amaterasu divine ancestry is always a big bonus for ancestry is always a big bonus for ancestry is always a big bonus for Emperor's and kings after all for our Emperor's and kings after all for our Emperor's and kings after all for our last myth we shift to Mesopotamia and last myth we shift to Mesopotamia and last myth we shift to Mesopotamia and the great Empire of badeley the gateway the great Empire of badeley the gateway the great Empire of badeley the gateway of God this is the home of the of God this is the home of the of God this is the home of the Babylonians who were kind enough to Babylonians who were kind enough to Babylonians who were kind enough to write down their creation myth the Anu write down their creation myth the Anu write down their creation myth the Anu mulisch although some of it has been mulisch although some of it has been mulisch although some of it has been lost to the ages a good enough chunk lost to the ages a good enough chunk lost to the ages a good enough chunk survives for us to hear this exciting survives for us to hear this exciting survives for us to hear this exciting tale at the dawn of time the earth was

tale at the dawn of time the earth was tale at the dawn of time the earth was empty absolute god of fresh waters empty absolute god of fresh waters empty absolute god of fresh waters Tiamat goddess of the salt oceans and mu Tiamat goddess of the salt oceans and mu Tiamat goddess of the salt oceans and mu mu their minister were all as one absolu mu their minister were all as one absolu mu their minister were all as one absolu and Tiamat eventually created new gods and Tiamat eventually created new gods and Tiamat eventually created new gods and those God's begat even more gods and those God's begat even more gods and those God's begat even more gods greatest among them was a ax who had greatest among them was a ax who had greatest among them was a ax who had magical powers his brothers and sisters magical powers his brothers and sisters magical powers his brothers and sisters may not have been as mighty but they may not have been as mighty but they may not have been as mighty but they were many too many in fact there were so were many too many in fact there were so were many too many in fact there were so many of these cacophonous gods that many of these cacophonous gods that many of these cacophonous gods that OPSEU couldn't sleep OPSEU couldn't sleep OPSEU couldn't sleep the noise kept Tiamat up as well but she the noise kept Tiamat up as well but she the noise kept Tiamat up as well but she was content knowing her children and was content knowing her children and was content knowing her children and grandchildren were happy and numerous grandchildren were happy and numerous grandchildren were happy and numerous absolute didn't share his lovers absolute didn't share his lovers absolute didn't share his lovers attitude and grew angry and irritated attitude and grew angry and irritated attitude and grew angry and irritated until he could stand it no more and told until he could stand it no more and told until he could stand it no more and told Tiamat he intended to slay them all with Tiamat he intended to slay them all with Tiamat he intended to slay them all with muumuus help Tiamat begged him not to muumuus help Tiamat begged him not to muumuus help Tiamat begged him not to but his mind was made up now a 'got word but his mind was made up now a 'got word but his mind was made up now a 'got word of his grandfather's schemes and used of his grandfather's schemes and used of his grandfather's schemes and used his magic to remove AB Sue's crown the his magic to remove AB Sue's crown the his magic to remove AB Sue's crown the source of his power and slew him he source of his power and slew him he source of his power and slew him he dragged MooMoo away in ropes and used dragged MooMoo away in ropes and used dragged MooMoo away in ropes and used his form to build a palace atop out his form to build a palace atop out his form to build a palace atop out Sue's freshwater body there along with Sue's freshwater body there along with Sue's freshwater body there along with his wife the goddess dam Tina his wife the goddess dam Tina his wife the goddess dam Tina they fathered the four eared four-eyed they fathered the four eared four-eyed they fathered the four eared four-eyed fire-breathing giant god Marduk fire-breathing giant god Marduk fire-breathing giant god Marduk the murder of absolute enrage Tiamat and the murder of absolute enrage Tiamat and the murder of absolute enrage Tiamat and all maternal obligations towards her all maternal obligations towards her all maternal obligations towards her children ceased altogether she took a children ceased altogether she took a children ceased altogether she took a new mate the god Kingu and birthed an new mate the god Kingu and birthed an new mate the god Kingu and birthed an army of dragons Vipers hellhound army of dragons Vipers hellhound army of dragons Vipers hellhound scorpion men and other fearsome monsters

scorpion men and other fearsome monsters scorpion men and other fearsome monsters she gave to kingu the tablets of destiny she gave to kingu the tablets of destiny she gave to kingu the tablets of destiny for protection for it is said that for protection for it is said that for protection for it is said that whomever wheels the tablets will rule whomever wheels the tablets will rule whomever wheels the tablets will rule the universe fearful of their mother's the universe fearful of their mother's the universe fearful of their mother's army that God's called on a of her help army that God's called on a of her help army that God's called on a of her help hoping his magical powers would save hoping his magical powers would save hoping his magical powers would save them them them haiya however realized that even his haiya however realized that even his haiya however realized that even his powers were not strong enough and so he powers were not strong enough and so he powers were not strong enough and so he called on his son Marduk to be his called on his son Marduk to be his called on his son Marduk to be his champion mardukan read to fight for his champion mardukan read to fight for his champion mardukan read to fight for his father on condition that after his father on condition that after his father on condition that after his victory he would rule over the gods aya victory he would rule over the gods aya victory he would rule over the gods aya agreed and armed his son with arrows of agreed and armed his son with arrows of agreed and armed his son with arrows of the wind a net a club an invincible the wind a net a club an invincible the wind a net a club an invincible spear and lightning Marduk went forth spear and lightning Marduk went forth spear and lightning Marduk went forth after the foul army besting them all and after the foul army besting them all and after the foul army besting them all and sending Kingu fleeing until Tiamat was sending Kingu fleeing until Tiamat was sending Kingu fleeing until Tiamat was all that remained the primordial being all that remained the primordial being all that remained the primordial being transformed herself into a dreadful transformed herself into a dreadful transformed herself into a dreadful Beast and fought him mercilessly Beast and fought him mercilessly Beast and fought him mercilessly finally mardukan snared her with his finally mardukan snared her with his finally mardukan snared her with his nets while Tiamat struggled to get free nets while Tiamat struggled to get free nets while Tiamat struggled to get free as she opened wide her great and toothy as she opened wide her great and toothy as she opened wide her great and toothy Maw he unleashed a barrage of wind Maw he unleashed a barrage of wind Maw he unleashed a barrage of wind arrows creating a gale that filled her arrows creating a gale that filled her arrows creating a gale that filled her lungs with air and preventing her mouth lungs with air and preventing her mouth lungs with air and preventing her mouth from closing seizing the opportunity from closing seizing the opportunity from closing seizing the opportunity with alacrity Mart who took his spear with alacrity Mart who took his spear with alacrity Mart who took his spear and plunged it down Tia Matt's gullet and plunged it down Tia Matt's gullet and plunged it down Tia Matt's gullet piercing her heart Tiamat was now dead piercing her heart Tiamat was now dead piercing her heart Tiamat was now dead and when her minion saw what had become and when her minion saw what had become and when her minion saw what had become of their mother goddess of their mother goddess of their mother goddess they trembled and took flight but Mar do they trembled and took flight but Mar do they trembled and took flight but Mar do caught them in his net and broke their caught them in his net and broke their caught them in his net and broke their weapons he then grabbed the tablets of weapons he then grabbed the tablets of weapons he then grabbed the tablets of Destiny from kingu but did not kill him Destiny from kingu but did not kill him Destiny from kingu but did not kill him he still might be useful Marv Duke had

he still might be useful Marv Duke had he still might be useful Marv Duke had achieved much but his work was not yet achieved much but his work was not yet achieved much but his work was not yet finished he took his club and split Tia finished he took his club and split Tia finished he took his club and split Tia Matt's body in half with one half he Matt's body in half with one half he Matt's body in half with one half he placed it in the sky to make the heavens placed it in the sky to make the heavens placed it in the sky to make the heavens and the moon the other half was placed and the moon the other half was placed and the moon the other half was placed over APS's fresh waters to make the land over APS's fresh waters to make the land over APS's fresh waters to make the land from her eyes he made the rivers Tigris from her eyes he made the rivers Tigris from her eyes he made the rivers Tigris and Euphrates from her tail he formed and Euphrates from her tail he formed and Euphrates from her tail he formed the Milky Way and from various other the Milky Way and from various other the Milky Way and from various other organs and body organs and body organs and body he created the rivers mountains stars he created the rivers mountains stars he created the rivers mountains stars fields and all the features of the world fields and all the features of the world fields and all the features of the world mardukan built a home worthy of his mardukan built a home worthy of his mardukan built a home worthy of his greatness and called this new place greatness and called this new place greatness and called this new place Babylon the gateway of the gods for it Babylon the gateway of the gods for it Babylon the gateway of the gods for it shall be the conduit for which the gods shall be the conduit for which the gods shall be the conduit for which the gods in heaven visit the earth reveling in in heaven visit the earth reveling in in heaven visit the earth reveling in victory mardik reveals his next plan to victory mardik reveals his next plan to victory mardik reveals his next plan to a ax his father blood I will mass and a ax his father blood I will mass and a ax his father blood I will mass and cause bones to be I will establish a cause bones to be I will establish a cause bones to be I will establish a savage man shall be his name verily savage man shall be his name verily savage man shall be his name verily savage man I will create he shall be savage man I will create he shall be savage man I will create he shall be charged with the service of the gods charged with the service of the gods charged with the service of the gods that the gods might be at ease heya that the gods might be at ease heya that the gods might be at ease heya likes the idea and adds his own likes the idea and adds his own likes the idea and adds his own suggestion make this new creature using suggestion make this new creature using suggestion make this new creature using the blood of a god no need to search far the blood of a god no need to search far the blood of a god no need to search far because it was time for King goo to because it was time for King goo to because it was time for King goo to become useful he is slain and his blood become useful he is slain and his blood become useful he is slain and his blood is spilled and mixed with clay from the is spilled and mixed with clay from the is spilled and mixed with clay from the earth to create the very first men and earth to create the very first men and earth to create the very first men and women haiya tasks mankind to toil in the women haiya tasks mankind to toil in the women haiya tasks mankind to toil in the fields raise animals and most of all fields raise animals and most of all fields raise animals and most of all worship the gods worship the gods worship the gods Marduk meanwhile said about dividing the Marduk meanwhile said about dividing the Marduk meanwhile said about dividing the gods up and assigning them positions in

gods up and assigning them positions in gods up and assigning them positions in heaven and earth and bringing order to heaven and earth and bringing order to heaven and earth and bringing order to the land grateful for their prosperity the land grateful for their prosperity the land grateful for their prosperity and for all he had done the gods finally and for all he had done the gods finally and for all he had done the gods finally proclaim martyr thing of the gods of proclaim martyr thing of the gods of proclaim martyr thing of the gods of heaven and earth heaven and earth heaven and earth oh yeah Marty Oh Crocs there's also oh yeah Marty Oh Crocs there's also oh yeah Marty Oh Crocs there's also definitely a good bit of subliminal definitely a good bit of subliminal definitely a good bit of subliminal Freudian stuff going on in this myth and Freudian stuff going on in this myth and Freudian stuff going on in this myth and the Numa elihss is pretty gory as far as the Numa elihss is pretty gory as far as the Numa elihss is pretty gory as far as they come yet there's even an archetypal they come yet there's even an archetypal they come yet there's even an archetypal theme here to the redemptive violence theme here to the redemptive violence theme here to the redemptive violence myth as coined by the theologian Walter myth as coined by the theologian Walter myth as coined by the theologian Walter wink these are stories where a happy wink these are stories where a happy wink these are stories where a happy ever after outcome is prefaced by some ever after outcome is prefaced by some ever after outcome is prefaced by some serious violent struggle the earth serious violent struggle the earth serious violent struggle the earth wouldn't exist if Marta hadn't ripped wouldn't exist if Marta hadn't ripped wouldn't exist if Marta hadn't ripped Tia Knotts corpse apart mankind wouldn't Tia Knotts corpse apart mankind wouldn't Tia Knotts corpse apart mankind wouldn't exist if King GU hadn't been drained of exist if King GU hadn't been drained of exist if King GU hadn't been drained of his blood our existence albeit as slaves his blood our existence albeit as slaves his blood our existence albeit as slaves to the Babylonian Pantheon is almost to the Babylonian Pantheon is almost to the Babylonian Pantheon is almost inherently brutal the Cherokee myth inherently brutal the Cherokee myth inherently brutal the Cherokee myth seems downright Disney at this point seems downright Disney at this point seems downright Disney at this point although I propose for your although I propose for your although I propose for your consideration that conflict is the consideration that conflict is the consideration that conflict is the common thread throughout each of these common thread throughout each of these common thread throughout each of these myths each one of these stories myths each one of these stories myths each one of these stories illustrates some problem or dilemma that illustrates some problem or dilemma that illustrates some problem or dilemma that can only be resolved through fighting or can only be resolved through fighting or can only be resolved through fighting or violence it's pretty obvious with Marv violence it's pretty obvious with Marv violence it's pretty obvious with Marv do Kover here but Izanagi and Izanami do Kover here but Izanagi and Izanami do Kover here but Izanagi and Izanami are stuck in this endless cycle of life are stuck in this endless cycle of life are stuck in this endless cycle of life and death and even the animals of the and death and even the animals of the and death and even the animals of the Cherokee myth decide that the only way Cherokee myth decide that the only way Cherokee myth decide that the only way to combat this weirdly aggressive new to combat this weirdly aggressive new to combat this weirdly aggressive new creature is to invent plague now to be creature is to invent plague now to be creature is to invent plague now to be fair not every creation myth has to fair not every creation myth has to fair not every creation myth has to involve death and destruction the kuma involve death and destruction the kuma involve death and destruction the kuma li-po the creation myth of Hawaii for li-po the creation myth of Hawaii for li-po the creation myth of Hawaii for example is an incredibly beautiful

example is an incredibly beautiful example is an incredibly beautiful account of the creation of the islands account of the creation of the islands account of the creation of the islands and of the various flora and fauna that and of the various flora and fauna that and of the various flora and fauna that inhabit it it also describes the origins inhabit it it also describes the origins inhabit it it also describes the origins of the Hawaiian royal lineage and if you of the Hawaiian royal lineage and if you of the Hawaiian royal lineage and if you got the time you should check it out got the time you should check it out got the time you should check it out although it is a fairly long read except although it is a fairly long read except although it is a fairly long read except mmm yeah even the Kumu Lee Poe has some mmm yeah even the Kumu Lee Poe has some mmm yeah even the Kumu Lee Poe has some fighting in it nobody dies but there is fighting in it nobody dies but there is fighting in it nobody dies but there is jealousy over who slept with who and you jealousy over who slept with who and you jealousy over who slept with who and you know how those things can escalate so is know how those things can escalate so is know how those things can escalate so is this it does the prevalence of bloodshed this it does the prevalence of bloodshed this it does the prevalence of bloodshed and creation myths speak volumes about and creation myths speak volumes about and creation myths speak volumes about our earliest civilizations can we safely our earliest civilizations can we safely our earliest civilizations can we safely extrapolate from these stories that extrapolate from these stories that extrapolate from these stories that early man was a brutish nasty thing or early man was a brutish nasty thing or early man was a brutish nasty thing or that some societies just really loved that some societies just really loved that some societies just really loved violence more than others that violence more than others that violence more than others that theologian Walter wink used the example theologian Walter wink used the example theologian Walter wink used the example of the Genesis creation to essentially of the Genesis creation to essentially of the Genesis creation to essentially show how much nicer the Bible is show how much nicer the Bible is show how much nicer the Bible is compared to although weird Gore obsessed compared to although weird Gore obsessed compared to although weird Gore obsessed cultures throughout history well I mean cultures throughout history well I mean cultures throughout history well I mean he is a bit biased after all he was a he is a bit biased after all he was a he is a bit biased after all he was a Methodist minister but fair enough Methodist minister but fair enough Methodist minister but fair enough Genesis is pretty beautiful in its Genesis is pretty beautiful in its Genesis is pretty beautiful in its simplicity simplicity simplicity makes everything in six days and takes a makes everything in six days and takes a makes everything in six days and takes a break on the seventh no temperamental break on the seventh no temperamental break on the seventh no temperamental ocean dragons no vindictive wildlife ocean dragons no vindictive wildlife ocean dragons no vindictive wildlife just existence but then there's the rest just existence but then there's the rest just existence but then there's the rest of Genesis like Cain and Abel the great of Genesis like Cain and Abel the great of Genesis like Cain and Abel the great flood the destruction of Sodom The flood the destruction of Sodom The flood the destruction of Sodom The Binding of Isaac none that falls apart Binding of Isaac none that falls apart Binding of Isaac none that falls apart pretty fast well maybe we can just say pretty fast well maybe we can just say pretty fast well maybe we can just say that the predominance of all this that the predominance of all this that the predominance of all this carnage and aggression simply reflects a carnage and aggression simply reflects a carnage and aggression simply reflects a time when the world was pretty violent time when the world was pretty violent time when the world was pretty violent if bandits didn't shank you for not if bandits didn't shank you for not if bandits didn't shank you for not forking over your gold fast enough then forking over your gold fast enough then forking over your gold fast enough then perhaps that army of goons would make perhaps that army of goons would make perhaps that army of goons would make mincemeat of you or you could get mauled mincemeat of you or you could get mauled mincemeat of you or you could get mauled by wild animals or how about a nice

by wild animals or how about a nice by wild animals or how about a nice disfiguring infectious disease these disfiguring infectious disease these disfiguring infectious disease these stories reflect an uncertain and stories reflect an uncertain and stories reflect an uncertain and dangerous world where life could be dangerous world where life could be dangerous world where life could be nasty brutish and short nasty brutish and short nasty brutish and short thanks Hobbes and yet well maybe there's thanks Hobbes and yet well maybe there's thanks Hobbes and yet well maybe there's an even simpler answer consider some of an even simpler answer consider some of an even simpler answer consider some of the great adventure stories of today's the great adventure stories of today's the great adventure stories of today's world wood Raiders of the Lost Ark be as world wood Raiders of the Lost Ark be as world wood Raiders of the Lost Ark be as fun if indeed just fought his way fun if indeed just fought his way fun if indeed just fought his way through the Nazis through the power of through the Nazis through the power of through the Nazis through the power of friendship or if Luke and Darth Vader friendship or if Luke and Darth Vader friendship or if Luke and Darth Vader hug it out the first time they meet or hug it out the first time they meet or hug it out the first time they meet or how about Batman uses his parents death how about Batman uses his parents death how about Batman uses his parents death to donate his money to charity and fund to donate his money to charity and fund to donate his money to charity and fund a series of free mental health clinics a series of free mental health clinics a series of free mental health clinics for the super villains conflict and by for the super villains conflict and by for the super villains conflict and by proxy violence ultimately make a story proxy violence ultimately make a story proxy violence ultimately make a story more interesting there's just no getting more interesting there's just no getting more interesting there's just no getting around it take a look at any summer around it take a look at any summer around it take a look at any summer blockbuster and you'll see what I'm blockbuster and you'll see what I'm blockbuster and you'll see what I'm talking about I mean my god is Michael talking about I mean my god is Michael talking about I mean my god is Michael Bay get paid by the explosion these Bay get paid by the explosion these Bay get paid by the explosion these stories all of them through time seek to stories all of them through time seek to stories all of them through time seek to inspire and entertain the hero never inspire and entertain the hero never inspire and entertain the hero never gets hurt stormtroopers never hit Luke gets hurt stormtroopers never hit Luke gets hurt stormtroopers never hit Luke villains always strapped James Bond to villains always strapped James Bond to villains always strapped James Bond to some crazy killing machine and then they some crazy killing machine and then they some crazy killing machine and then they just leave the room just freakin shoot just leave the room just freakin shoot just leave the room just freakin shoot the guy and it's for this reason that the guy and it's for this reason that the guy and it's for this reason that these stories will always survive these stories will always survive these stories will always survive because ultimately it's about mankind because ultimately it's about mankind because ultimately it's about mankind projecting its desires and beliefs and projecting its desires and beliefs and projecting its desires and beliefs and transcending what we know to be real transcending what we know to be real transcending what we know to be real next time we move away from the realm of next time we move away from the realm of next time we move away from the realm of myth and get into some real history our myth and get into some real history our myth and get into some real history our story begins on the lush and fertile story begins on the lush and fertile story begins on the lush and fertile plains of Africa where some four million plains of Africa where some four million plains of Africa where some four million years ago some very brave primates years ago some very brave primates years ago some very brave primates decided they were done with life in the

decided they were done with life in the decided they were done with life in the treetops perhaps there's something worth treetops perhaps there's something worth treetops perhaps there's something worth doing on the what do you call it ground doing on the what do you call it ground doing on the what do you call it ground sounds crazy but it all starts somewhere sounds crazy but it all starts somewhere sounds crazy but it all starts somewhere and that's where we're going to start and that's where we're going to start and that's where we're going to start our journey on the podcast history of our journey on the podcast history of our journey on the podcast history of our world our world our world [Music] welcome back to the podcast history of welcome back to the podcast history of our world chapter for the Stone Age our world chapter for the Stone Age our world chapter for the Stone Age early AMH people produce some amazing early AMH people produce some amazing early AMH people produce some amazing technological achievements in a technological achievements in a technological achievements in a relatively short amount of time the bow relatively short amount of time the bow relatively short amount of time the bow and arrow was developed around 30 to and arrow was developed around 30 to and arrow was developed around 30 to 25,000 years ago the net between 29,000 25,000 years ago the net between 29,000 25,000 years ago the net between 29,000 and 22,000 and the fish hook around and 22,000 and the fish hook around and 22,000 and the fish hook around 23,000 B see improvements in stone 23,000 B see improvements in stone 23,000 B see improvements in stone flaking enabled razor-sharp Spears as flaking enabled razor-sharp Spears as flaking enabled razor-sharp Spears as well as flint choppers scrapers knives well as flint choppers scrapers knives well as flint choppers scrapers knives axes and all sorts of better ways to axes and all sorts of better ways to axes and all sorts of better ways to main kill slice and butcher huh doesn't main kill slice and butcher huh doesn't main kill slice and butcher huh doesn't it feel like everything they make has to it feel like everything they make has to it feel like everything they make has to be so violent be so violent be so violent there is evidence of ropes cord and there is evidence of ropes cord and there is evidence of ropes cord and early weave baskets imprinted onto clay

early weave baskets imprinted onto clay early weave baskets imprinted onto clay from around 28,000 years ago but the from around 28,000 years ago but the from around 28,000 years ago but the organic remains have long since rotted organic remains have long since rotted organic remains have long since rotted away now if we're presuming our earliest away now if we're presuming our earliest away now if we're presuming our earliest ancestors operated in traditional ancestors operated in traditional ancestors operated in traditional hunter-gatherer societies with those hunter-gatherer societies with those hunter-gatherer societies with those traditional gender roles we can traditional gender roles we can traditional gender roles we can therefore discern the identity of who therefore discern the identity of who therefore discern the identity of who invented these tools case in point invented these tools case in point invented these tools case in point what use does a hunter have for a big what use does a hunter have for a big what use does a hunter have for a big woven cord basket not much but to those woven cord basket not much but to those woven cord basket not much but to those harvesting wild fruits berries and harvesting wild fruits berries and harvesting wild fruits berries and vegetables it would make a huge vegetables it would make a huge vegetables it would make a huge difference women had their own difference women had their own difference women had their own technological achievements no less technological achievements no less technological achievements no less important than men but since these were important than men but since these were important than men but since these were typically made of organic materials that typically made of organic materials that typically made of organic materials that decomposed they're often overlooked decomposed they're often overlooked decomposed they're often overlooked there is however one achievement of there is however one achievement of there is however one achievement of monumental merit and worth one that may monumental merit and worth one that may monumental merit and worth one that may have very well saved civilization as we have very well saved civilization as we have very well saved civilization as we know it but you'll have to download the know it but you'll have to download the know it but you'll have to download the next episode to find it out next episode to find it out next episode to find it out meanwhile there's another situation with meanwhile there's another situation with meanwhile there's another situation with homo sapiens that bears mentioning and homo sapiens that bears mentioning and homo sapiens that bears mentioning and it concerns the interaction with Canis it concerns the interaction with Canis it concerns the interaction with Canis lupus lupus lupus the wolf picture a group of people the wolf picture a group of people the wolf picture a group of people sitting around a campfire cooking up sitting around a campfire cooking up sitting around a campfire cooking up whatever their latest hunt was now whatever their latest hunt was now whatever their latest hunt was now imagine the smoky aroma was just too imagine the smoky aroma was just too imagine the smoky aroma was just too much for some brave or possibly hungry much for some brave or possibly hungry much for some brave or possibly hungry wolf who cautiously approaches the group wolf who cautiously approaches the group wolf who cautiously approaches the group maybe the people chase it off at first maybe the people chase it off at first maybe the people chase it off at first but maybe it came back and eventually but maybe it came back and eventually but maybe it came back and eventually someone from the group maybe he tosses a someone from the group maybe he tosses a someone from the group maybe he tosses a piece of food to the wolf who eats it up piece of food to the wolf who eats it up piece of food to the wolf who eats it up and doesn't leave in fact it seems to and doesn't leave in fact it seems to and doesn't leave in fact it seems to get closer but without any sign of

get closer but without any sign of get closer but without any sign of aggression now picture other wolves aggression now picture other wolves aggression now picture other wolves seeing what's going on and learning that seeing what's going on and learning that seeing what's going on and learning that if you hang around these humans and if you hang around these humans and if you hang around these humans and don't bite them you get free meat don't bite them you get free meat don't bite them you get free meat and these friendlier wolves form their and these friendlier wolves form their and these friendlier wolves form their own packs and hang around the outskirts own packs and hang around the outskirts own packs and hang around the outskirts of the camp and then they have puppies of the camp and then they have puppies of the camp and then they have puppies and people learn to favor and raise the and people learn to favor and raise the and people learn to favor and raise the friendliest and most social of these friendliest and most social of these friendliest and most social of these wolf puppies selectively breeding them wolf puppies selectively breeding them wolf puppies selectively breeding them to create even friendlier and more loyal to create even friendlier and more loyal to create even friendlier and more loyal offspring until between 30,000 BC and offspring until between 30,000 BC and offspring until between 30,000 BC and 15,000 BC Canis lupus familiaris appears 15,000 BC Canis lupus familiaris appears 15,000 BC Canis lupus familiaris appears the dog mankind's oldest and bestest the dog mankind's oldest and bestest the dog mankind's oldest and bestest friend I know it seems tough to think friend I know it seems tough to think friend I know it seems tough to think that in only 15,000 years you can take a that in only 15,000 years you can take a that in only 15,000 years you can take a wild animal that would normally eat you wild animal that would normally eat you wild animal that would normally eat you and turn it into Fido but it's very much and turn it into Fido but it's very much and turn it into Fido but it's very much possible researchers in Russia did the possible researchers in Russia did the possible researchers in Russia did the very same thing using foxes and in far very same thing using foxes and in far very same thing using foxes and in far less time they took the ones that less time they took the ones that less time they took the ones that displayed lower levels of aggression and displayed lower levels of aggression and displayed lower levels of aggression and were most tolerant to people and within were most tolerant to people and within were most tolerant to people and within 10 generations had bred foxes that 10 generations had bred foxes that 10 generations had bred foxes that displayed classic doglike tendencies displayed classic doglike tendencies displayed classic doglike tendencies like tail wagging licking jumping and like tail wagging licking jumping and like tail wagging licking jumping and barking adorable the transformation from barking adorable the transformation from barking adorable the transformation from wolf to dog represents the very first wolf to dog represents the very first wolf to dog represents the very first time people took an active role in time people took an active role in time people took an active role in becoming much more than just another becoming much more than just another becoming much more than just another animal on this earth we had taken animal on this earth we had taken animal on this earth we had taken another species severed the ties of another species severed the ties of another species severed the ties of natural selection and created something natural selection and created something natural selection and created something that suited our needs even better now that suited our needs even better now that suited our needs even better now we've got four-legged friends that we've got four-legged friends that we've got four-legged friends that gladly work for well basically scraps

gladly work for well basically scraps gladly work for well basically scraps these early dogs were bred for strength these early dogs were bred for strength these early dogs were bred for strength and work the and work the and work the cute lap dogs that do nothing except be cute lap dogs that do nothing except be cute lap dogs that do nothing except be precious will snuggums precious will snuggums precious will snuggums don't arrive until the development of don't arrive until the development of don't arrive until the development of royal society starting in China actually royal society starting in China actually royal society starting in China actually where some of the oldest breeds in the where some of the oldest breeds in the where some of the oldest breeds in the world come from like the Pekinese and world come from like the Pekinese and world come from like the Pekinese and the Shih Tzu mankind's earliest dogs the Shih Tzu mankind's earliest dogs the Shih Tzu mankind's earliest dogs didn't have those luxuries but they were didn't have those luxuries but they were didn't have those luxuries but they were just as valued for their tracking skills just as valued for their tracking skills just as valued for their tracking skills assistance during hunts barking and assistance during hunts barking and assistance during hunts barking and intruders and just simply for intruders and just simply for intruders and just simply for companionship and well it should be companionship and well it should be companionship and well it should be mentioned that there's one other thing mentioned that there's one other thing mentioned that there's one other thing dogs can be used for yeah it's food dogs can be used for yeah it's food dogs can be used for yeah it's food nowadays most of the world doesn't eat nowadays most of the world doesn't eat nowadays most of the world doesn't eat dog and they actually have laws against dog and they actually have laws against dog and they actually have laws against it it it even some religions specifically state even some religions specifically state even some religions specifically state it's a sin kosher halal and some it's a sin kosher halal and some it's a sin kosher halal and some buddhist dietary laws all strictly state buddhist dietary laws all strictly state buddhist dietary laws all strictly state this but many cultures throughout this but many cultures throughout this but many cultures throughout history did eat dog meat in times of history did eat dog meat in times of history did eat dog meat in times of lien and plenty the Koreas in China are lien and plenty the Koreas in China are lien and plenty the Koreas in China are typically unfairly singled out for this typically unfairly singled out for this typically unfairly singled out for this and while it does still happen it's less and while it does still happen it's less and while it does still happen it's less and less popular nowadays in Europe dog and less popular nowadays in Europe dog and less popular nowadays in Europe dog was eaten in Germany during tough times was eaten in Germany during tough times was eaten in Germany during tough times and called blockade mutton while in and called blockade mutton while in and called blockade mutton while in Switzerland there's a traditional recipe Switzerland there's a traditional recipe Switzerland there's a traditional recipe for wound flesh thin slices of smoked for wound flesh thin slices of smoked for wound flesh thin slices of smoked dog ham and if you really want a culture dog ham and if you really want a culture dog ham and if you really want a culture that loved their dog meat head on over that loved their dog meat head on over that loved their dog meat head on over to the Aztecs with few sources of animal to the Aztecs with few sources of animal to the Aztecs with few sources of animal protein dog specifically something protein dog specifically something protein dog specifically something related to the Mexican hairless dog or

related to the Mexican hairless dog or related to the Mexican hairless dog or Xolo eat squint Lee it was routinely on Xolo eat squint Lee it was routinely on Xolo eat squint Lee it was routinely on the menu so now it's 30,000 BC and in the menu so now it's 30,000 BC and in the menu so now it's 30,000 BC and in the midst of all of humanity's the midst of all of humanity's the midst of all of humanity's accomplishments that something has accomplishments that something has accomplishments that something has happened to our Neanderthal cousins happened to our Neanderthal cousins happened to our Neanderthal cousins they're dead all of them numerous they're dead all of them numerous they're dead all of them numerous theories abound as to what happened here theories abound as to what happened here theories abound as to what happened here ranging from climate change dietary ranging from climate change dietary ranging from climate change dietary problems and genetic defects but two problems and genetic defects but two problems and genetic defects but two theories tend to stand out the first is theories tend to stand out the first is theories tend to stand out the first is the genocide theory as the territory of the genocide theory as the territory of the genocide theory as the territory of Homo sapiens and Neanderthals has got Homo sapiens and Neanderthals has got Homo sapiens and Neanderthals has got closer to each other war became closer to each other war became closer to each other war became inevitable inevitable inevitable and as strong and advanced as the and as strong and advanced as the and as strong and advanced as the Neanderthals were Homo sapiens were Neanderthals were Homo sapiens were Neanderthals were Homo sapiens were better plus they're higher numbers and better plus they're higher numbers and better plus they're higher numbers and advanced brainpower also meant advanced brainpower also meant advanced brainpower also meant coordinating attacks much more coordinating attacks much more coordinating attacks much more effectively so they wiped them out the effectively so they wiped them out the effectively so they wiped them out the other theory involved other theory involved other theory involved interbreeding one that was disputed interbreeding one that was disputed interbreeding one that was disputed seemingly forever although now there seemingly forever although now there seemingly forever although now there appears to be a bit of backtracking appears to be a bit of backtracking appears to be a bit of backtracking basically it goes like this basically it goes like this basically it goes like this the Neanderthals didn't die out they the Neanderthals didn't die out they the Neanderthals didn't die out they just married into our big happy human just married into our big happy human just married into our big happy human family earliest estimates for this begin family earliest estimates for this begin family earliest estimates for this begin at about fifty thousand years ago and at about fifty thousand years ago and at about fifty thousand years ago and recent DNA sequencing on the remains of recent DNA sequencing on the remains of recent DNA sequencing on the remains of a forty five thousand year old AMH from a forty five thousand year old AMH from a forty five thousand year old AMH from Siberia called the esteem man shows Siberia called the esteem man shows Siberia called the esteem man shows conclusive evidence of Neanderthal DNA conclusive evidence of Neanderthal DNA conclusive evidence of Neanderthal DNA clusters the fragmented nature of his clusters the fragmented nature of his clusters the fragmented nature of his DNA also indicates that his Neanderthal DNA also indicates that his Neanderthal DNA also indicates that his Neanderthal ancestors came way before him thus ancestors came way before him thus ancestors came way before him thus ruling out this being a recent fluke in ruling out this being a recent fluke in ruling out this being a recent fluke in fact scientists are now saying that fact scientists are now saying that fact scientists are now saying that anyone with Eurasian ancestry probably

anyone with Eurasian ancestry probably anyone with Eurasian ancestry probably has a tiny percentage of Neanderthal DNA has a tiny percentage of Neanderthal DNA has a tiny percentage of Neanderthal DNA in them maybe one to four percent so I in them maybe one to four percent so I in them maybe one to four percent so I mean the evidence is looking good but mean the evidence is looking good but mean the evidence is looking good but let me remind all those of us with that let me remind all those of us with that let me remind all those of us with that Eurasian ancestry that we are not Eurasian ancestry that we are not Eurasian ancestry that we are not hybrids our ancestors did not merge hybrids our ancestors did not merge hybrids our ancestors did not merge species just some of them successfully species just some of them successfully species just some of them successfully interbred and I say successfully because interbred and I say successfully because interbred and I say successfully because normally when you take two very similar normally when you take two very similar normally when you take two very similar species and breed them the new species species and breed them the new species species and breed them the new species is born sterile unable to procreate on is born sterile unable to procreate on is born sterile unable to procreate on its own its own its own take a donkey and a horse and you get a take a donkey and a horse and you get a take a donkey and a horse and you get a mule sterile take a lion and a tiger and mule sterile take a lion and a tiger and mule sterile take a lion and a tiger and you get a liger sterile take a chimp and you get a liger sterile take a chimp and you get a liger sterile take a chimp and a human and you get a human z look it up a human and you get a human z look it up a human and you get a human z look it up it hasn't been done yet and the ethical it hasn't been done yet and the ethical it hasn't been done yet and the ethical ramifications ensure it never will but I ramifications ensure it never will but I ramifications ensure it never will but I hear karl Pilkington has some research hear karl Pilkington has some research hear karl Pilkington has some research on the topic and he's always good for an on the topic and he's always good for an on the topic and he's always good for an academic review regardless of how academic review regardless of how academic review regardless of how Neanderthal man became extinct they did Neanderthal man became extinct they did Neanderthal man became extinct they did and the only other human species on this and the only other human species on this and the only other human species on this earth died out and that's a fact earth died out and that's a fact earth died out and that's a fact I want to repeat about Neanderthals they I want to repeat about Neanderthals they I want to repeat about Neanderthals they were human a totally separate human race were human a totally separate human race were human a totally separate human race from our own it's like something you'd from our own it's like something you'd from our own it's like something you'd find in a Tokyo novel with hobbits and find in a Tokyo novel with hobbits and find in a Tokyo novel with hobbits and elves can you imagine a world with elves can you imagine a world with elves can you imagine a world with another sentient species that would another sentient species that would another sentient species that would fundamentally change so much about who fundamentally change so much about who fundamentally change so much about who we are it's pretty heavy stuff we are it's pretty heavy stuff we are it's pretty heavy stuff well for now at least Homo sapiens well for now at least Homo sapiens well for now at least Homo sapiens mankind us are now supreme all the mankind us are now supreme all the mankind us are now supreme all the genetic dead ends like Australopithecus

genetic dead ends like Australopithecus genetic dead ends like Australopithecus and Paranthropus have failed and their and Paranthropus have failed and their and Paranthropus have failed and their hairy vegetarian ways will no longer hairy vegetarian ways will no longer hairy vegetarian ways will no longer impede our destiny to rule the world impede our destiny to rule the world impede our destiny to rule the world who amongst them had our superior who amongst them had our superior who amongst them had our superior intellect that ability to change a intellect that ability to change a intellect that ability to change a resilient and dogged perseverance resilient and dogged perseverance resilient and dogged perseverance against any obstacle in our path the against any obstacle in our path the against any obstacle in our path the means to a glorious future await built means to a glorious future await built means to a glorious future await built on a foundation of hard work can you dig on a foundation of hard work can you dig on a foundation of hard work can you dig it it it it sounds great oh really it does but it it sounds great oh really it does but it it sounds great oh really it does but it is a gorgeous day outside you know is a gorgeous day outside you know is a gorgeous day outside you know thinking about hitting the beach later thinking about hitting the beach later thinking about hitting the beach later yeah you know it's always through season yeah you know it's always through season yeah you know it's always through season dude and they Eaton's good mm-hmm dude and they Eaton's good mm-hmm dude and they Eaton's good mm-hmm just gonna relax and think some deep just gonna relax and think some deep just gonna relax and think some deep thoughts like hey you ever wonder if you thoughts like hey you ever wonder if you thoughts like hey you ever wonder if you could sing like a bird I know sounds could sing like a bird I know sounds could sing like a bird I know sounds crazy right crazy right crazy right although okay well someone had the same although okay well someone had the same although okay well someone had the same thought and this curious inventor thought and this curious inventor thought and this curious inventor discovered that drilling holes into a discovered that drilling holes into a discovered that drilling holes into a hollow bone and blowing through the hollow bone and blowing through the hollow bone and blowing through the opening created different tones and the opening created different tones and the opening created different tones and the first flute is born first flute is born first flute is born conversely others discovered that conversely others discovered that conversely others discovered that drilling holes into someone's head would drilling holes into someone's head would drilling holes into someone's head would produce different tones for obvious produce different tones for obvious produce different tones for obvious reasons trepanning which either involves reasons trepanning which either involves reasons trepanning which either involves neatly removing a piece of skull bone or neatly removing a piece of skull bone or neatly removing a piece of skull bone or drilling a small hole into the skull was drilling a small hole into the skull was drilling a small hole into the skull was performed to drive out evil spirits the performed to drive out evil spirits the performed to drive out evil spirits the real culprits being migraines epileptic real culprits being migraines epileptic real culprits being migraines epileptic seizures and other maladies early man seizures and other maladies early man seizures and other maladies early man had no way of understanding numerous had no way of understanding numerous had no way of understanding numerous skulls have been found with small skulls have been found with small skulls have been found with small portions carefully removed and with portions carefully removed and with portions carefully removed and with varying surgical success some skulls varying surgical success some skulls varying surgical success some skulls appear to have new bone growth near the

appear to have new bone growth near the appear to have new bone growth near the hole evidence the operation took well hole evidence the operation took well hole evidence the operation took well other skulls show signs that infection other skulls show signs that infection other skulls show signs that infection followed the procedure which no doubt followed the procedure which no doubt followed the procedure which no doubt killed the patient well hey no more pain killed the patient well hey no more pain killed the patient well hey no more pain either way but keep in mind these either way but keep in mind these either way but keep in mind these surgeries were done with stone tools and surgeries were done with stone tools and surgeries were done with stone tools and no anesthetics as far as we can tell no anesthetics as far as we can tell no anesthetics as far as we can tell hope the patient has an ungodly hope the patient has an ungodly hope the patient has an ungodly tolerance for pain tolerance for pain tolerance for pain while some of our ancestors were while some of our ancestors were while some of our ancestors were experimenting with brain surgery some experimenting with brain surgery some experimenting with brain surgery some others were drawn back to the caves this others were drawn back to the caves this others were drawn back to the caves this time bringing with them some ground-up time bringing with them some ground-up time bringing with them some ground-up charcoal or ochre mixed with spit or charcoal or ochre mixed with spit or charcoal or ochre mixed with spit or animal fat and the very first artistic animal fat and the very first artistic animal fat and the very first artistic movement was born images of people and movement was born images of people and movement was born images of people and animals but also abstract shapes and animals but also abstract shapes and animals but also abstract shapes and hands these cave paintings have been hands these cave paintings have been hands these cave paintings have been discovered all over the world with the discovered all over the world with the discovered all over the world with the oldest discovered so far in Spain at the oldest discovered so far in Spain at the oldest discovered so far in Spain at the cave of El Castillo dating to about cave of El Castillo dating to about cave of El Castillo dating to about 40,000 BC prolific representations of 40,000 BC prolific representations of 40,000 BC prolific representations of animals like dogs and bison as well as animals like dogs and bison as well as animals like dogs and bison as well as the red outlines of hands dot this the red outlines of hands dot this the red outlines of hands dot this prehistoric Louvre similar cave prehistoric Louvre similar cave prehistoric Louvre similar cave paintings have also been found in France paintings have also been found in France paintings have also been found in France like the famous Chauvet and Lascaux like the famous Chauvet and Lascaux like the famous Chauvet and Lascaux caves and other sites in Spain like Alta caves and other sites in Spain like Alta caves and other sites in Spain like Alta Mira and cueva del Apache Agra and while Mira and cueva del Apache Agra and while Mira and cueva del Apache Agra and while the European sites tend to get the most the European sites tend to get the most the European sites tend to get the most attention there is a whole other world attention there is a whole other world attention there is a whole other world out there full of prehistoric artwork out there full of prehistoric artwork out there full of prehistoric artwork the Bhimbetka rock shelters in Madhya the Bhimbetka rock shelters in Madhya the Bhimbetka rock shelters in Madhya Pradesh of India contain images of Pradesh of India contain images of Pradesh of India contain images of dancing hunting & other social scenes dancing hunting & other social scenes dancing hunting & other social scenes from about 30,000 BC cave paintings of from about 30,000 BC cave paintings of from about 30,000 BC cave paintings of stylized hunters in Namibia date to

stylized hunters in Namibia date to stylized hunters in Namibia date to 25,000 BC in Xinjiang china rock art of 25,000 BC in Xinjiang china rock art of 25,000 BC in Xinjiang china rock art of animals and hunters date to about 12,000 animals and hunters date to about 12,000 animals and hunters date to about 12,000 and in argentina at the appropriately and in argentina at the appropriately and in argentina at the appropriately named Cueva de las manos were countless named Cueva de las manos were countless named Cueva de las manos were countless stenciled hands adorn the walls dated to stenciled hands adorn the walls dated to stenciled hands adorn the walls dated to around 10,000 BC Australia deserves a around 10,000 BC Australia deserves a around 10,000 BC Australia deserves a special mention because the cave art in special mention because the cave art in special mention because the cave art in its Northern Territory depicts the giant its Northern Territory depicts the giant its Northern Territory depicts the giant EMU like bird Geng Uranus which is EMU like bird Geng Uranus which is EMU like bird Geng Uranus which is thought to have died out about 40,000 thought to have died out about 40,000 thought to have died out about 40,000 years ago now if that's really the years ago now if that's really the years ago now if that's really the creature depicted then that would make creature depicted then that would make creature depicted then that would make these paintings at the very least 40,000 these paintings at the very least 40,000 these paintings at the very least 40,000 years old and thus placing it as the years old and thus placing it as the years old and thus placing it as the reigning champion for world's oldest reigning champion for world's oldest reigning champion for world's oldest Stone Age painting Stone Age painting Stone Age painting unfortunately because no organic unfortunately because no organic unfortunately because no organic material was used in the paint material was used in the paint material was used in the paint scientists are unable to carbon date it scientists are unable to carbon date it scientists are unable to carbon date it so for now El Castillo holds the title so for now El Castillo holds the title so for now El Castillo holds the title but for how much longer I wonder but for how much longer I wonder but for how much longer I wonder okay well it's art it's all nice and okay well it's art it's all nice and okay well it's art it's all nice and pretty but is there anything that we can pretty but is there anything that we can pretty but is there anything that we can read into here clearly there's something read into here clearly there's something read into here clearly there's something happening to the human mind that allows happening to the human mind that allows happening to the human mind that allows for this level of creativity but what for this level of creativity but what for this level of creativity but what does it mean some theories here the does it mean some theories here the does it mean some theories here the first and simplest is the magic approach first and simplest is the magic approach first and simplest is the magic approach that by depicting all these food animals that by depicting all these food animals that by depicting all these food animals hunters will be blessed with an hunters will be blessed with an hunters will be blessed with an abundance of game the magic theory also abundance of game the magic theory also abundance of game the magic theory also ties into the Gateway theory that these ties into the Gateway theory that these ties into the Gateway theory that these paintings were drawn by shamans who use paintings were drawn by shamans who use paintings were drawn by shamans who use them to communicate with the spiritual them to communicate with the spiritual them to communicate with the spiritual world this could explain why the world this could explain why the world this could explain why the paintings tend to be deep within the

paintings tend to be deep within the paintings tend to be deep within the caves and why dangerous animals like caves and why dangerous animals like caves and why dangerous animals like rhinos lions and bears appear to be rhinos lions and bears appear to be rhinos lions and bears appear to be drawn in the most remote parts because drawn in the most remote parts because drawn in the most remote parts because only the shaman has the power to only the shaman has the power to only the shaman has the power to confront the darkness and defend against confront the darkness and defend against confront the darkness and defend against otherworldly dangers another theory otherworldly dangers another theory otherworldly dangers another theory suggests that early mankind simply suggests that early mankind simply suggests that early mankind simply couldn't have the level of imagination couldn't have the level of imagination couldn't have the level of imagination we have today and thus created these we have today and thus created these we have today and thus created these images to illustrate basic desires in images to illustrate basic desires in images to illustrate basic desires in addition to 85% of depicted game animals addition to 85% of depicted game animals addition to 85% of depicted game animals being placed in the center of a painting being placed in the center of a painting being placed in the center of a painting eighty percent of the female figures are eighty percent of the female figures are eighty percent of the female figures are as well which may indicate a male artist as well which may indicate a male artist as well which may indicate a male artist here last among the theories and we're here last among the theories and we're here last among the theories and we're kind of going out on a limb here is that kind of going out on a limb here is that kind of going out on a limb here is that this art was produced from an artist this art was produced from an artist this art was produced from an artist with an altered state of mind how else with an altered state of mind how else with an altered state of mind how else to explain the bizarre half animal men to explain the bizarre half animal men to explain the bizarre half animal men and weird creatures that appear in some and weird creatures that appear in some and weird creatures that appear in some of these paintings or how some of these paintings or how some of these paintings or how some professors with storied academic professors with storied academic professors with storied academic backgrounds have argued that geometric backgrounds have argued that geometric backgrounds have argued that geometric shapes in these paintings really shapes in these paintings really shapes in these paintings really represent men and women triangles ovals represent men and women triangles ovals represent men and women triangles ovals and rectangles for the female shape and rectangles for the female shape and rectangles for the female shape straight lines barbed lines and rows of straight lines barbed lines and rows of straight lines barbed lines and rows of dots for the male modern art am i right dots for the male modern art am i right dots for the male modern art am i right well I suppose it's plausible that these well I suppose it's plausible that these well I suppose it's plausible that these prehistoric artists might have eaten prehistoric artists might have eaten prehistoric artists might have eaten some fermented fruit and went all some fermented fruit and went all some fermented fruit and went all strawberry alarm clock on these cave strawberry alarm clock on these cave strawberry alarm clock on these cave walls and I don't like this theory for walls and I don't like this theory for walls and I don't like this theory for the same reason I don't like any theory the same reason I don't like any theory the same reason I don't like any theory that takes power and ownership away from that takes power and ownership away from that takes power and ownership away from human achievement it just doesn't sit human achievement it just doesn't sit human achievement it just doesn't sit right that all this could only be right that all this could only be right that all this could only be created by people not in control of created by people not in control of created by people not in control of their own actions now aside from painted

their own actions now aside from painted their own actions now aside from painted art there is also the first sculpture art there is also the first sculpture art there is also the first sculpture art in the iconic form of the Venus art in the iconic form of the Venus art in the iconic form of the Venus figurines these were made of bone clay figurines these were made of bone clay figurines these were made of bone clay I've I've I've your stone with the earliest dating back your stone with the earliest dating back your stone with the earliest dating back to around 35,000 BC typically these to around 35,000 BC typically these to around 35,000 BC typically these female figurines are without facial female figurines are without facial female figurines are without facial features and they show heavily features and they show heavily features and they show heavily exaggerated personalities going for that exaggerated personalities going for that exaggerated personalities going for that stay at a Pidgey and look basically lots stay at a Pidgey and look basically lots stay at a Pidgey and look basically lots of junk in the trunk of junk in the trunk of junk in the trunk these statuettes have been found mostly these statuettes have been found mostly these statuettes have been found mostly in Europe and Russia but some late Jomon in Europe and Russia but some late Jomon in Europe and Russia but some late Jomon period works from Japan have also been period works from Japan have also been period works from Japan have also been discovered theories as to what the Venus discovered theories as to what the Venus discovered theories as to what the Venus figurines are fall into what I'm calling figurines are fall into what I'm calling figurines are fall into what I'm calling fertility versus fetish I posted a long fertility versus fetish I posted a long fertility versus fetish I posted a long list of various examples on my website list of various examples on my website list of various examples on my website podcast history of our world calm for podcast history of our world calm for podcast history of our world calm for you to peruse through maybe if I had you to peruse through maybe if I had you to peruse through maybe if I had David Attenborough describing the David Attenborough describing the David Attenborough describing the Venus's it wouldn't sound so weird Venus's it wouldn't sound so weird Venus's it wouldn't sound so weird but I know I'm just gonna make it sound but I know I'm just gonna make it sound but I know I'm just gonna make it sound weird so go to the website to look at weird so go to the website to look at weird so go to the website to look at them anyway we start with the fertility them anyway we start with the fertility them anyway we start with the fertility theory that these Venus's represent the theory that these Venus's represent the theory that these Venus's represent the mother goddess full-figured older a mother goddess full-figured older a mother goddess full-figured older a symbol of abundance prosperity and life symbol of abundance prosperity and life symbol of abundance prosperity and life women could pray to these figurines for women could pray to these figurines for women could pray to these figurines for a successful childbirth and men might a successful childbirth and men might a successful childbirth and men might pray to them for a prosperous hunt and pray to them for a prosperous hunt and pray to them for a prosperous hunt and the fact that nearly all the Venus's are the fact that nearly all the Venus's are the fact that nearly all the Venus's are carved with their legs tight together carved with their legs tight together carved with their legs tight together and coming to a point suggests they and coming to a point suggests they and coming to a point suggests they might have been planted in the ground might have been planted in the ground might have been planted in the ground for worship or later in agriculture or for worship or later in agriculture or for worship or later in agriculture or could have even been worn as a charm could have even been worn as a charm could have even been worn as a charm around the neck fertility and around the neck fertility and around the neck fertility and reproduction mattered to both men and reproduction mattered to both men and reproduction mattered to both men and women and if you'll recall from the last

women and if you'll recall from the last women and if you'll recall from the last episode episode episode since the Toba explosion possibly wiped since the Toba explosion possibly wiped since the Toba explosion possibly wiped out so many of humanity's numbers out so many of humanity's numbers out so many of humanity's numbers well they need all the help they can get well they need all the help they can get well they need all the help they can get the fetish theory on the other hand is the fetish theory on the other hand is the fetish theory on the other hand is just that these figurines are just that these figurines are just that these figurines are prehistoric pornography historians tend prehistoric pornography historians tend prehistoric pornography historians tend to assume that the various sculptors of to assume that the various sculptors of to assume that the various sculptors of these works were men because without these works were men because without these works were men because without access to high-speed Internet they made access to high-speed Internet they made access to high-speed Internet they made the Venus's for reasons and yes before the Venus's for reasons and yes before the Venus's for reasons and yes before you feel this theory is insensitive and you feel this theory is insensitive and you feel this theory is insensitive and degrading to well both genders really degrading to well both genders really degrading to well both genders really these historians assume it's a male these historians assume it's a male these historians assume it's a male artist because many of the Venus's have artist because many of the Venus's have artist because many of the Venus's have a surprising amount of detail on certain a surprising amount of detail on certain a surprising amount of detail on certain anatomical parts which again have been anatomical parts which again have been anatomical parts which again have been almost massively enlarged then again almost massively enlarged then again almost massively enlarged then again there's nothing to definitively prove there's nothing to definitively prove there's nothing to definitively prove either one of these theories although either one of these theories although either one of these theories although whoever made them definitely seem to whoever made them definitely seem to whoever made them definitely seem to know what they were due know what they were due know what they were due in fact an actual non pervy theory here in fact an actual non pervy theory here in fact an actual non pervy theory here is that these are self portraits done by is that these are self portraits done by is that these are self portraits done by women for women to feel good about women for women to feel good about women for women to feel good about themselves it's not a theory I buy into themselves it's not a theory I buy into themselves it's not a theory I buy into not that women weren't the sculptors but not that women weren't the sculptors but not that women weren't the sculptors but because notions of gender dominance this because notions of gender dominance this because notions of gender dominance this idea of a patriarchy and societal idea of a patriarchy and societal idea of a patriarchy and societal concepts of beauty don't begin until the concepts of beauty don't begin until the concepts of beauty don't begin until the founding of the first cities without an founding of the first cities without an founding of the first cities without an ingrained system in place to enforce ingrained system in place to enforce ingrained system in place to enforce standards of how women should look standards of how women should look standards of how women should look what's the point of these sculptures what's the point of these sculptures what's the point of these sculptures then if you want my opinion on the then if you want my opinion on the then if you want my opinion on the Venus's I believe they're symbolic of Venus's I believe they're symbolic of Venus's I believe they're symbolic of the mystery and respect women had in the mystery and respect women had in the mystery and respect women had in early society try to imagine how

early society try to imagine how early society try to imagine how prehistoric men not mankind but men made prehistoric men not mankind but men made prehistoric men not mankind but men made sense of where babies came from all grok sense of where babies came from all grok sense of where babies came from all grok knows is that after about nine cycles of knows is that after about nine cycles of knows is that after about nine cycles of a full moon following that wonderful a full moon following that wonderful a full moon following that wonderful night out at the new cave art exhibit night out at the new cave art exhibit night out at the new cave art exhibit with the alluring ogre Ella and proof a with the alluring ogre Ella and proof a with the alluring ogre Ella and proof a baby human and if childbirth was baby human and if childbirth was baby human and if childbirth was anything like how it is in certain anything like how it is in certain anything like how it is in certain tribal societies today it was done tribal societies today it was done tribal societies today it was done behind closed doors with no men allowed behind closed doors with no men allowed behind closed doors with no men allowed to participate in and witness the messy to participate in and witness the messy to participate in and witness the messy secrets of life wife goes in wife plus secrets of life wife goes in wife plus secrets of life wife goes in wife plus one comes out is it any wonder why men one comes out is it any wonder why men one comes out is it any wonder why men would be in such respectful of this would be in such respectful of this would be in such respectful of this power ultimately our ancestors were not power ultimately our ancestors were not power ultimately our ancestors were not creating art just for art's sake yes creating art just for art's sake yes creating art just for art's sake yes they were drawing horses and mammoths they were drawing horses and mammoths they were drawing horses and mammoths and sculpting zaftig women but they were and sculpting zaftig women but they were and sculpting zaftig women but they were also thinking abstract li these were also thinking abstract li these were also thinking abstract li these were ideal forms something a certain Greek ideal forms something a certain Greek ideal forms something a certain Greek philosopher would give words to philosopher would give words to philosopher would give words to thousands of years later but if our thousands of years later but if our thousands of years later but if our ancestors understood higher concepts ancestors understood higher concepts ancestors understood higher concepts like that then he must have been like that then he must have been like that then he must have been thinking about higher questions as well thinking about higher questions as well thinking about higher questions as well like why is the sky blue where did we like why is the sky blue where did we like why is the sky blue where did we come from come from come from what happens when we die in looking for what happens when we die in looking for what happens when we die in looking for the answers to such profound questions the answers to such profound questions the answers to such profound questions mankind will create religion which we're mankind will create religion which we're mankind will create religion which we're not going to get into just yet not going to get into just yet not going to get into just yet oh you know what though we've approached oh you know what though we've approached oh you know what though we've approached our first arbitrary temporal milestone our first arbitrary temporal milestone our first arbitrary temporal milestone 10,000 BC the Holocene epoch which we're 10,000 BC the Holocene epoch which we're 10,000 BC the Holocene epoch which we're currently still living in the Ice Age is currently still living in the Ice Age is currently still living in the Ice Age is technically over and the glaciers are technically over and the glaciers are technically over and the glaciers are melting causing oceans to rise as well

melting causing oceans to rise as well melting causing oceans to rise as well as sudden flash floods don't worry about as sudden flash floods don't worry about as sudden flash floods don't worry about the climate change part instead let's the climate change part instead let's the climate change part instead let's see what everyone's up to around the see what everyone's up to around the see what everyone's up to around the world starting where it all began in world starting where it all began in world starting where it all began in Africa cave and rock paintings appear in Africa cave and rock paintings appear in Africa cave and rock paintings appear in parts of Namibia Eritrea and Ethiopia parts of Namibia Eritrea and Ethiopia parts of Namibia Eritrea and Ethiopia and much of the continents people are and much of the continents people are and much of the continents people are hunter-gatherers in Europe people are hunter-gatherers in Europe people are hunter-gatherers in Europe people are spreading out fast spreading out fast spreading out fast colonizing as far away as Randa Berg colonizing as far away as Randa Berg colonizing as far away as Randa Berg Norway the Magdalenian culture in France Norway the Magdalenian culture in France Norway the Magdalenian culture in France is creating advanced works of art and is creating advanced works of art and is creating advanced works of art and tools unheard of at this time and tools unheard of at this time and tools unheard of at this time and Southwest Asia also known as the Middle Southwest Asia also known as the Middle Southwest Asia also known as the Middle East than the two feein people are East than the two feein people are East than the two feein people are thought to have settled down near the thought to have settled down near the thought to have settled down near the Jordan River laying the foundations for Jordan River laying the foundations for Jordan River laying the foundations for a famous city in East Asia the Jomon a famous city in East Asia the Jomon a famous city in East Asia the Jomon people of Japan are the first to create people of Japan are the first to create people of Japan are the first to create pottery wrapping clay with cords on the pottery wrapping clay with cords on the pottery wrapping clay with cords on the islands of Oceania some of the most islands of Oceania some of the most islands of Oceania some of the most intrepid explorers known to humanity are intrepid explorers known to humanity are intrepid explorers known to humanity are crossing through the Pacific to start crossing through the Pacific to start crossing through the Pacific to start new settlements in North America the new settlements in North America the new settlements in North America the enigmatic Clovis culture are such enigmatic Clovis culture are such enigmatic Clovis culture are such successful hunters that many big mammals successful hunters that many big mammals successful hunters that many big mammals will go extinct soon and in South will go extinct soon and in South will go extinct soon and in South America there is evidence of people America there is evidence of people America there is evidence of people settling down in the Yucatan Peninsula settling down in the Yucatan Peninsula settling down in the Yucatan Peninsula if it seems like my facts are kinda if it seems like my facts are kinda if it seems like my facts are kinda broad it's because there isn't any broad it's because there isn't any broad it's because there isn't any recorded history happening at the year recorded history happening at the year recorded history happening at the year 10,000 BC now there's plenty for 10,000 BC now there's plenty for 10,000 BC now there's plenty for archaeologists but not so much for a archaeologists but not so much for a archaeologists but not so much for a riveting story we'll need to jump at riveting story we'll need to jump at riveting story we'll need to jump at least about 2,000 years ahead to get to least about 2,000 years ahead to get to least about 2,000 years ahead to get to the next major point in our history oh the next major point in our history oh the next major point in our history oh and because why not it's about this time

and because why not it's about this time and because why not it's about this time that the advanced civilisations of that the advanced civilisations of that the advanced civilisations of Atlantis and MU are supposed to have Atlantis and MU are supposed to have Atlantis and MU are supposed to have collapsed when their island continents collapsed when their island continents collapsed when their island continents either exploded or sank which of course either exploded or sank which of course either exploded or sank which of course means the super advanced refugees spread means the super advanced refugees spread means the super advanced refugees spread across the world to jumpstart our still across the world to jumpstart our still across the world to jumpstart our still primitive ancestors but to found our primitive ancestors but to found our primitive ancestors but to found our earliest civilizations now you know earliest civilizations now you know earliest civilizations now you know teach the Maya astronomical secrets teach the Maya astronomical secrets teach the Maya astronomical secrets become the conquering indo-aryans draw a become the conquering indo-aryans draw a become the conquering indo-aryans draw a giant hummingbirds in Peru giant hummingbirds in Peru giant hummingbirds in Peru something about crystal skulls sunken something about crystal skulls sunken something about crystal skulls sunken japanese pyramids you know what it all japanese pyramids you know what it all japanese pyramids you know what it all makes sense oh just got to adjust my makes sense oh just got to adjust my makes sense oh just got to adjust my tinfoil hat here hang a few more coat tinfoil hat here hang a few more coat tinfoil hat here hang a few more coat hangers from the ceiling and we're ready hangers from the ceiling and we're ready hangers from the ceiling and we're ready to move on yeah but well anyway to move on yeah but well anyway to move on yeah but well anyway mankind has founded settlements near mankind has founded settlements near mankind has founded settlements near sites that can support a pretty decent sites that can support a pretty decent sites that can support a pretty decent sized tribe the abundance of wild food sized tribe the abundance of wild food sized tribe the abundance of wild food at this time allowed for a leisurely at this time allowed for a leisurely at this time allowed for a leisurely lifestyle where more people were freed lifestyle where more people were freed lifestyle where more people were freed up from gathering sustenance and allowed up from gathering sustenance and allowed up from gathering sustenance and allowed them to spend more time creating new them to spend more time creating new them to spend more time creating new tools when thinking up new ideas it's tools when thinking up new ideas it's tools when thinking up new ideas it's this laid-back way of life that gave way this laid-back way of life that gave way this laid-back way of life that gave way to the loftier notion of no longer to the loftier notion of no longer to the loftier notion of no longer relying on nature to provide what if relying on nature to provide what if relying on nature to provide what if humanity could control their own food humanity could control their own food humanity could control their own food supply whoa that's a huge jump in supply whoa that's a huge jump in supply whoa that's a huge jump in thinking and if I'm hearing this thinking and if I'm hearing this thinking and if I'm hearing this correctly are you saying you want a correctly are you saying you want a correctly are you saying you want a revolution well that's where we're gonna revolution well that's where we're gonna revolution well that's where we're gonna pick it up next time along with the big pick it up next time along with the big pick it up next time along with the big reveal for the prehistoric world's reveal for the prehistoric world's reveal for the prehistoric world's greatest invention on the podcast greatest invention on the podcast greatest invention on the podcast history of our world welcome back to the podcast history of

welcome back to the podcast history of our world chapter five Neolithic our world chapter five Neolithic our world chapter five Neolithic Revolution right around that 10,000 BC Revolution right around that 10,000 BC Revolution right around that 10,000 BC mark humanity entered a period of time mark humanity entered a period of time mark humanity entered a period of time now called the Neolithic period or new now called the Neolithic period or new now called the Neolithic period or new Stone Age things are gonna start feeling Stone Age things are gonna start feeling Stone Age things are gonna start feeling more and more familiar now as we start more and more familiar now as we start more and more familiar now as we start transitioning away from the transitioning away from the transitioning away from the hunter-gatherer lifestyle of course this hunter-gatherer lifestyle of course this hunter-gatherer lifestyle of course this can't happen without easy access to food can't happen without easy access to food can't happen without easy access to food and there are now so many people that and there are now so many people that and there are now so many people that wild sources of food just aren't cutting wild sources of food just aren't cutting wild sources of food just aren't cutting it anymore it anymore it anymore berries take time to grow back fruit berries take time to grow back fruit berries take time to grow back fruit trees have to be located and protected trees have to be located and protected trees have to be located and protected from wild animals and game can easily be from wild animals and game can easily be from wild animals and game can easily be over hunted the oceans offer a bounty of over hunted the oceans offer a bounty of over hunted the oceans offer a bounty of sustenance but so far most of it remains sustenance but so far most of it remains sustenance but so far most of it remains inaccessible this way of life simply inaccessible this way of life simply inaccessible this way of life simply cannot continue the only course is a new cannot continue the only course is a new cannot continue the only course is a new revolutionary way of thinking an revolutionary way of thinking an revolutionary way of thinking an agricultural revolution often referred agricultural revolution often referred agricultural revolution often referred to as the Neolithic Revolution to to as the Neolithic Revolution to to as the Neolithic Revolution to encompass the wider changes in lifestyle encompass the wider changes in lifestyle encompass the wider changes in lifestyle the greatest hallmark is the discovery the greatest hallmark is the discovery the greatest hallmark is the discovery and promulgation of farming or and promulgation of farming or and promulgation of farming or agriculture by definition this is the agriculture by definition this is the agriculture by definition this is the cultivation of animals and plants for cultivation of animals and plants for cultivation of animals and plants for food fibers hides medicine materials food fibers hides medicine materials food fibers hides medicine materials than any other uses but it's also about than any other uses but it's also about than any other uses but it's also about removing humanity from the natural food removing humanity from the natural food removing humanity from the natural food order we are the ones in control not the order we are the ones in control not the order we are the ones in control not the ebb and flow of nature interestingly ebb and flow of nature interestingly ebb and flow of nature interestingly many societies around the world all seem many societies around the world all seem many societies around the world all seem to have developed agriculture within a to have developed agriculture within a to have developed agriculture within a few thousand years of each other and few thousand years of each other and

few thousand years of each other and this was without contact of course that this was without contact of course that this was without contact of course that said the area which first developed said the area which first developed said the area which first developed farming goes to Southwest Asia and the farming goes to Southwest Asia and the farming goes to Southwest Asia and the Levant as well as the Fertile Crescent Levant as well as the Fertile Crescent Levant as well as the Fertile Crescent of Mesopotamia all around the ten of Mesopotamia all around the ten of Mesopotamia all around the ten thousand to nine thousand year mark thousand to nine thousand year mark thousand to nine thousand year mark Mesopotamia especially been kind of Mesopotamia especially been kind of Mesopotamia especially been kind of lovingly referred to as the cradle of lovingly referred to as the cradle of lovingly referred to as the cradle of civilization was always credited as the civilization was always credited as the civilization was always credited as the first region although there seems to be first region although there seems to be first region although there seems to be recent evidence from Papua New Guinea recent evidence from Papua New Guinea recent evidence from Papua New Guinea that taro cultivation began around that taro cultivation began around that taro cultivation began around 11,000 BC but but hey facts are stubborn 11,000 BC but but hey facts are stubborn 11,000 BC but but hey facts are stubborn things right yeah sure humanity bonded things right yeah sure humanity bonded things right yeah sure humanity bonded to certain crops depending on the region to certain crops depending on the region to certain crops depending on the region like rice production as early as like rice production as early as like rice production as early as 8,000 BC and Peng DeSean in China and 8,000 BC and Peng DeSean in China and 8,000 BC and Peng DeSean in China and potatoes in the Peruvian Highlands potatoes in the Peruvian Highlands potatoes in the Peruvian Highlands between 8 and 5000 BC most of the time between 8 and 5000 BC most of the time between 8 and 5000 BC most of the time it was just taking what you already it was just taking what you already it was just taking what you already liked and simply making more of it but liked and simply making more of it but liked and simply making more of it but then there's the curious case from then there's the curious case from then there's the curious case from Mesoamerica which seems at first a weird Mesoamerica which seems at first a weird Mesoamerica which seems at first a weird and downright crazy thing but ultimately and downright crazy thing but ultimately and downright crazy thing but ultimately becomes one of humanity's if not the becomes one of humanity's if not the becomes one of humanity's if not the most impressive agricultural achievement most impressive agricultural achievement most impressive agricultural achievement the ancient Mesoamericans took the wild the ancient Mesoamericans took the wild the ancient Mesoamericans took the wild practically inedible grass teosinte practically inedible grass teosinte practically inedible grass teosinte selectively bred out the undesirable selectively bred out the undesirable selectively bred out the undesirable traits for over 6,000 years and from it traits for over 6,000 years and from it traits for over 6,000 years and from it created maize corn a necessary foodstuff created maize corn a necessary foodstuff created maize corn a necessary foodstuff for them and in the modern world we too for them and in the modern world we too for them and in the modern world we too are completely dependent on it which is are completely dependent on it which is are completely dependent on it which is somewhat ironic because corn cannot somewhat ironic because corn cannot somewhat ironic because corn cannot exist without direct human involvement exist without direct human involvement exist without direct human involvement all those little kernels are trapped

all those little kernels are trapped all those little kernels are trapped within a tight husk making escape nearly within a tight husk making escape nearly within a tight husk making escape nearly impossible and even if a husk less cob impossible and even if a husk less cob impossible and even if a husk less cob fell to the ground those kernels would fell to the ground those kernels would fell to the ground those kernels would simply die from overcrowding the roots simply die from overcrowding the roots simply die from overcrowding the roots choking each other to reach the soil it choking each other to reach the soil it choking each other to reach the soil it is as many botanists call it a hopeless is as many botanists call it a hopeless is as many botanists call it a hopeless monster but man if it is an awesome monster but man if it is an awesome monster but man if it is an awesome grilled up a low die style with a little grilled up a low die style with a little grilled up a low die style with a little mayo and chili powder or winsome cotija mayo and chili powder or winsome cotija mayo and chili powder or winsome cotija cheese mmm so good back to the cheese mmm so good back to the cheese mmm so good back to the prehistoric world where aside from those prehistoric world where aside from those prehistoric world where aside from those isolated individual plants much of the isolated individual plants much of the isolated individual plants much of the earliest farmland from North Africa to earliest farmland from North Africa to earliest farmland from North Africa to India was based around the domestication India was based around the domestication India was based around the domestication of a few crops that were so critical to of a few crops that were so critical to of a few crops that were so critical to early mankind's diet they get a fancy early mankind's diet they get a fancy early mankind's diet they get a fancy name the eight founder crops Emmer wheat name the eight founder crops Emmer wheat name the eight founder crops Emmer wheat einkorn wheat barley lentil peas einkorn wheat barley lentil peas einkorn wheat barley lentil peas chickpea bitter veg and flax and for you chickpea bitter veg and flax and for you chickpea bitter veg and flax and for you know what hang on a second this all know what hang on a second this all know what hang on a second this all sounds like a lot of work here sure sounds like a lot of work here sure sounds like a lot of work here sure there are more people around eating all there are more people around eating all there are more people around eating all the wild food but what does that ever the wild food but what does that ever the wild food but what does that ever stop the nomadic group if the food in an stop the nomadic group if the food in an stop the nomadic group if the food in an area dries up then just pack your bags area dries up then just pack your bags area dries up then just pack your bags and keep moving why on earth would and keep moving why on earth would and keep moving why on earth would anyone want to give up all this just to anyone want to give up all this just to anyone want to give up all this just to slave away under the hot Sun in a field slave away under the hot Sun in a field slave away under the hot Sun in a field well are you ready for some more well are you ready for some more well are you ready for some more theories of course you are why am I even theories of course you are why am I even theories of course you are why am I even asking asking asking number one supply and demand this is a number one supply and demand this is a number one supply and demand this is a catch-all theory that encompasses things catch-all theory that encompasses things catch-all theory that encompasses things like climate change and population like climate change and population like climate change and population growth because of various reasons wild growth because of various reasons wild growth because of various reasons wild food grew scarce and many hungry mouths food grew scarce and many hungry mouths food grew scarce and many hungry mouths demanded more this necessity was the demanded more this necessity was the demanded more this necessity was the impetus needed to start cultivating

impetus needed to start cultivating impetus needed to start cultivating crops and domesticating animals only crops and domesticating animals only crops and domesticating animals only problem with this theory is that if problem with this theory is that if problem with this theory is that if people are hungry they're going to spend people are hungry they're going to spend people are hungry they're going to spend their time and energy towards finding their time and energy towards finding their time and energy towards finding immediate sources of nourishment why immediate sources of nourishment why immediate sources of nourishment why bury your last grains of barley now to bury your last grains of barley now to bury your last grains of barley now to wait for months for food then when you wait for months for food then when you wait for months for food then when you can eat it immediately and not starve can eat it immediately and not starve can eat it immediately and not starve number 2 the eureka factor some number 2 the eureka factor some number 2 the eureka factor some observant person noticed plants growing observant person noticed plants growing observant person noticed plants growing from discarded seeds at garbage sites from discarded seeds at garbage sites from discarded seeds at garbage sites graves or wherever they were tossed out graves or wherever they were tossed out graves or wherever they were tossed out put two and two together told everyone put two and two together told everyone put two and two together told everyone else to intentionally plant seeds in the else to intentionally plant seeds in the else to intentionally plant seeds in the ground and voila food plausible but ground and voila food plausible but ground and voila food plausible but unlikely unlikely unlikely next number three the natural way next number three the natural way next number three the natural way proponents of this one don't like the proponents of this one don't like the proponents of this one don't like the term revolution but evolution term revolution but evolution term revolution but evolution hunter-gatherers would have been hunter-gatherers would have been hunter-gatherers would have been familiar with how wild plants sprout up familiar with how wild plants sprout up familiar with how wild plants sprout up where how seeds can grow and would have where how seeds can grow and would have where how seeds can grow and would have learned to make the transition from learned to make the transition from learned to make the transition from foraging to harvesting agricultural foraging to harvesting agricultural foraging to harvesting agricultural evolution is just a natural product of evolution is just a natural product of evolution is just a natural product of humanity's intellect give us a couple humanity's intellect give us a couple humanity's intellect give us a couple thousand years and eventually we'll thousand years and eventually we'll thousand years and eventually we'll figure out that the seeds go in the figure out that the seeds go in the figure out that the seeds go in the ground fourth and last as to why ground fourth and last as to why ground fourth and last as to why agriculture developed is also my agriculture developed is also my agriculture developed is also my favorite theory ask yourself why would favorite theory ask yourself why would favorite theory ask yourself why would anyone intentionally injure anyone intentionally injure anyone intentionally injure back-breaking work from sunrise to back-breaking work from sunrise to back-breaking work from sunrise to sunset all to just grow barley I mean sunset all to just grow barley I mean sunset all to just grow barley I mean barley is all right I guess doesn't barley is all right I guess doesn't barley is all right I guess doesn't really have the celebrity power of really have the celebrity power of really have the celebrity power of quinoa or the restaurant allure of farro quinoa or the restaurant allure of farro quinoa or the restaurant allure of farro but this humble little grain has a but this humble little grain has a but this humble little grain has a special secret barley becomes beer the

special secret barley becomes beer the special secret barley becomes beer the theory goes that beer is good and lots theory goes that beer is good and lots theory goes that beer is good and lots of beer is really good people start of beer is really good people start of beer is really good people start farming in order to stay well supplied farming in order to stay well supplied farming in order to stay well supplied with beer problem is there's a lot of with beer problem is there's a lot of with beer problem is there's a lot of work that goes into brewing you need work that goes into brewing you need work that goes into brewing you need lots of barley vessels to store them in lots of barley vessels to store them in lots of barley vessels to store them in so someone's gonna have to invent so someone's gonna have to invent so someone's gonna have to invent pottery easy sources of freshwater pottery easy sources of freshwater pottery easy sources of freshwater something to boil that water other something to boil that water other something to boil that water other vessels to store the barley water mix vessels to store the barley water mix vessels to store the barley water mix now called Wirt someone to oversee all now called Wirt someone to oversee all now called Wirt someone to oversee all this and of course the time to let it this and of course the time to let it this and of course the time to let it all ferment all ferment all ferment there's a lot of specialized jobs here there's a lot of specialized jobs here there's a lot of specialized jobs here that a hunter-gatherer society just as that a hunter-gatherer society just as that a hunter-gatherer society just as incapable of handling so in addition to incapable of handling so in addition to incapable of handling so in addition to creating a need for agriculture beer creating a need for agriculture beer creating a need for agriculture beer also creates a need for permanent also creates a need for permanent also creates a need for permanent settlements for the Brewers to work in settlements for the Brewers to work in settlements for the Brewers to work in if successful these settlements could if successful these settlements could if successful these settlements could grow in size until a you've got a small grow in size until a you've got a small grow in size until a you've got a small city on your hand the word for city in city on your hand the word for city in city on your hand the word for city in Latin is Civitas from where we get the Latin is Civitas from where we get the Latin is Civitas from where we get the word civilization and if my impeccable word civilization and if my impeccable word civilization and if my impeccable logic is correct which it is of course logic is correct which it is of course logic is correct which it is of course beer is therefore responsible for beer is therefore responsible for beer is therefore responsible for civilization beer is therefore civilization beer is therefore civilization beer is therefore responsible for civilization boom responsible for civilization boom responsible for civilization boom case closed and not quite because who is case closed and not quite because who is case closed and not quite because who is responsible for beer well remember last responsible for beer well remember last responsible for beer well remember last episode when I hinted that women were episode when I hinted that women were episode when I hinted that women were responsible for the greatest invention responsible for the greatest invention responsible for the greatest invention in the world there you go women were the in the world there you go women were the in the world there you go women were the singular force behind beer for most of singular force behind beer for most of singular force behind beer for most of our shared history they were the ones our shared history they were the ones our shared history they were the ones who no doubt worked the fields had who no doubt worked the fields had who no doubt worked the fields had discovered the effervescent mysteries discovered the effervescent mysteries discovered the effervescent mysteries right off the bat in ancient Mesopotamia

right off the bat in ancient Mesopotamia right off the bat in ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt women were the only ones and Egypt women were the only ones and Egypt women were the only ones allowed to brew beer as both a religious allowed to brew beer as both a religious allowed to brew beer as both a religious duty and as a requirement of the law duty and as a requirement of the law duty and as a requirement of the law even in medieval England were female even in medieval England were female even in medieval England were female Brewers Brewster being the correct term Brewers Brewster being the correct term Brewers Brewster being the correct term made and sold much of the beer as a made and sold much of the beer as a made and sold much of the beer as a profitable but necessary public service profitable but necessary public service profitable but necessary public service yeah because would you want to drink the yeah because would you want to drink the yeah because would you want to drink the water back then exactly water back then exactly water back then exactly women gave us beer and beer gave purpose women gave us beer and beer gave purpose women gave us beer and beer gave purpose and reason for Humanity to progress far and reason for Humanity to progress far and reason for Humanity to progress far beyond what our distant ancestors could beyond what our distant ancestors could beyond what our distant ancestors could even dream of so a toast here's to the even dream of so a toast here's to the even dream of so a toast here's to the Brewster's throughout history thanks for Brewster's throughout history thanks for Brewster's throughout history thanks for saving civilization as we know it chin saving civilization as we know it chin saving civilization as we know it chin chin chin chin well there will be people want to well there will be people want to well there will be people want to dispute this the beer part not the woman dispute this the beer part not the woman dispute this the beer part not the woman part I'm assuming right well yes there part I'm assuming right well yes there part I'm assuming right well yes there are arguments to be made that beer is are arguments to be made that beer is are arguments to be made that beer is not the focal point of agriculture and not the focal point of agriculture and not the focal point of agriculture and is in fact a happy but simple by-product is in fact a happy but simple by-product is in fact a happy but simple by-product the chain of events goes that early the chain of events goes that early the chain of events goes that early farmers most likely women first had no farmers most likely women first had no farmers most likely women first had no idea what to do with the wild cereal idea what to do with the wild cereal idea what to do with the wild cereal grains they encountered they first tried grains they encountered they first tried grains they encountered they first tried boiling the leaves and stalks but this boiling the leaves and stalks but this boiling the leaves and stalks but this tasted awful so they moved on to the tasted awful so they moved on to the tasted awful so they moved on to the kernels by cooking them over direct heat kernels by cooking them over direct heat kernels by cooking them over direct heat what they discovered was that certain what they discovered was that certain what they discovered was that certain grains corn and sorghum for example grains corn and sorghum for example grains corn and sorghum for example produce a delicious pop treat fun but produce a delicious pop treat fun but produce a delicious pop treat fun but they didn't stop there they didn't stop there they didn't stop there they ground up the dried uncooked they ground up the dried uncooked they ground up the dried uncooked kernels into a powder and mixed in kernels into a powder and mixed in kernels into a powder and mixed in boiled water creating gruel still not

boiled water creating gruel still not boiled water creating gruel still not very appetizing but okay although very appetizing but okay although very appetizing but okay although looking at the ground-up powder gave looking at the ground-up powder gave looking at the ground-up powder gave someone else a different idea they mixed someone else a different idea they mixed someone else a different idea they mixed it with less water this time and cooked it with less water this time and cooked it with less water this time and cooked it instead creating the first unleavened it instead creating the first unleavened it instead creating the first unleavened flatbread but wait someone else was flatbread but wait someone else was flatbread but wait someone else was messing around with the sticky dough messing around with the sticky dough messing around with the sticky dough mixture but got called away to take care mixture but got called away to take care mixture but got called away to take care of something when they came back they of something when they came back they of something when they came back they discovered the dough had expanded in discovered the dough had expanded in discovered the dough had expanded in size and risen cooking that mixture size and risen cooking that mixture size and risen cooking that mixture resulted in bread that was warm fluffy resulted in bread that was warm fluffy resulted in bread that was warm fluffy but most of all a delicious success but most of all a delicious success but most of all a delicious success early Baker's obviously had no idea that early Baker's obviously had no idea that early Baker's obviously had no idea that wild yeast in the air was responsible wild yeast in the air was responsible wild yeast in the air was responsible for the leavening process but it didn't for the leavening process but it didn't for the leavening process but it didn't matter they quickly learned that if you matter they quickly learned that if you matter they quickly learned that if you let dough rest outside it will rise and let dough rest outside it will rise and let dough rest outside it will rise and if you bake that you get bread and if you bake that you get bread and if you bake that you get bread and finally at the end of this process comes finally at the end of this process comes finally at the end of this process comes the discovery of beer it goes like this the discovery of beer it goes like this the discovery of beer it goes like this we had a good harvest this year so let's we had a good harvest this year so let's we had a good harvest this year so let's put the barley in this here pot and put the barley in this here pot and put the barley in this here pot and leave it outside for storage and then leave it outside for storage and then leave it outside for storage and then come back to it and aw man rain got in come back to it and aw man rain got in come back to it and aw man rain got in the pot and the barley sprouted and then the pot and the barley sprouted and then the pot and the barley sprouted and then shortly after that no one remembered to shortly after that no one remembered to shortly after that no one remembered to put the lid back on and more rain got in put the lid back on and more rain got in put the lid back on and more rain got in the pot and drowned the seedlings which the pot and drowned the seedlings which the pot and drowned the seedlings which stopped the germination process while stopped the germination process while stopped the germination process while the yeast moves in and eventually some the yeast moves in and eventually some the yeast moves in and eventually some courageous a really dumb person looks at courageous a really dumb person looks at courageous a really dumb person looks at this funky looking and smelling water this funky looking and smelling water this funky looking and smelling water and thinks I'm gonna drink that and thinks I'm gonna drink that and thinks I'm gonna drink that it couldn't have tasted that good and it it couldn't have tasted that good and it it couldn't have tasted that good and it probably wasn't too safe to drink either probably wasn't too safe to drink either probably wasn't too safe to drink either but ah the golden age of discovery so it

but ah the golden age of discovery so it but ah the golden age of discovery so it tasted bad but on the plus side that tasted bad but on the plus side that tasted bad but on the plus side that Noble soul got nice and plastered from Noble soul got nice and plastered from Noble soul got nice and plastered from there on it was just a matter of there on it was just a matter of there on it was just a matter of experimenting with recipes and experimenting with recipes and experimenting with recipes and techniques until beer is born simply the techniques until beer is born simply the techniques until beer is born simply the result of loose-fitting pots and too result of loose-fitting pots and too result of loose-fitting pots and too much grain hey both theories aren't bad much grain hey both theories aren't bad much grain hey both theories aren't bad but I'll leave it up to you which one but I'll leave it up to you which one but I'll leave it up to you which one you think is better just ask yourself you think is better just ask yourself you think is better just ask yourself would you rather have a PITA would you rather have a PITA would you rather have a PITA or a pilsner the advantages of farming or a pilsner the advantages of farming or a pilsner the advantages of farming have provided bountiful food and drink have provided bountiful food and drink have provided bountiful food and drink but at a cost wild food tends to be more but at a cost wild food tends to be more but at a cost wild food tends to be more nutritious than farmed food especially nutritious than farmed food especially nutritious than farmed food especially so back then and without a variety of so back then and without a variety of so back then and without a variety of foods to eat the newly sedentary humans foods to eat the newly sedentary humans foods to eat the newly sedentary humans begin another physical change their begin another physical change their begin another physical change their height decreases bones aren't as thick height decreases bones aren't as thick height decreases bones aren't as thick and teeth and jaws continue to shrink to and teeth and jaws continue to shrink to and teeth and jaws continue to shrink to make up for this nutritional loss make up for this nutritional loss make up for this nutritional loss there's more high caloric food available there's more high caloric food available there's more high caloric food available quantity over quality but you need lots quantity over quality but you need lots quantity over quality but you need lots of land to grow this food on and lots of of land to grow this food on and lots of of land to grow this food on and lots of people to work it acquiring these people to work it acquiring these people to work it acquiring these resources is something else altogether resources is something else altogether resources is something else altogether the people you can make the the people you can make the the people you can make the old-fashioned way or as is a common old-fashioned way or as is a common old-fashioned way or as is a common thread throughout our history they can thread throughout our history they can thread throughout our history they can be enslaved land is plentiful at this be enslaved land is plentiful at this be enslaved land is plentiful at this point but sooner or later boundaries point but sooner or later boundaries point but sooner or later boundaries will be drawn and if you've built your will be drawn and if you've built your will be drawn and if you've built your city on high-quality land expect city on high-quality land expect city on high-quality land expect invaders to come a-knockin and for that invaders to come a-knockin and for that invaders to come a-knockin and for that matter the population surplus you've got matter the population surplus you've got matter the population surplus you've got going on means all those city dwellers going on means all those city dwellers going on means all those city dwellers are at a new risk of invasion from are at a new risk of invasion from are at a new risk of invasion from disease it's not enough that all these disease it's not enough that all these disease it's not enough that all these people are now packed so close together

people are now packed so close together people are now packed so close together in these cities they've even brought in these cities they've even brought in these cities they've even brought their farm animals with them and some their farm animals with them and some their farm animals with them and some diseases jump species oh and don't get diseases jump species oh and don't get diseases jump species oh and don't get me started about how agriculture brings me started about how agriculture brings me started about how agriculture brings about the stratification of society about the stratification of society about the stratification of society before all this life was so egalitarian before all this life was so egalitarian before all this life was so egalitarian and everyone had their role to keep the and everyone had their role to keep the and everyone had their role to keep the drive safe and secure now there are drive safe and secure now there are drive safe and secure now there are social classes and rich warlords and social classes and rich warlords and social classes and rich warlords and priests and even slaves ah let's just priests and even slaves ah let's just priests and even slaves ah let's just forget it all and head back to Walden forget it all and head back to Walden forget it all and head back to Walden Pond well I can't just also use beer as Pond well I can't just also use beer as Pond well I can't just also use beer as the excuse for what's good about the excuse for what's good about the excuse for what's good about civilization and agriculture I'll also civilization and agriculture I'll also civilization and agriculture I'll also mention that freeing mention that freeing mention that freeing people to not produce food is the only people to not produce food is the only people to not produce food is the only way any kind of technological scientific way any kind of technological scientific way any kind of technological scientific artistic or educational progress can be artistic or educational progress can be artistic or educational progress can be made but I leave you with one last side made but I leave you with one last side made but I leave you with one last side effect of the Agricultural Revolution effect of the Agricultural Revolution effect of the Agricultural Revolution okay so that part about humans getting okay so that part about humans getting okay so that part about humans getting smaller and weaker while only with a smaller and weaker while only with a smaller and weaker while only with a modern well-balanced diet have humans modern well-balanced diet have humans modern well-balanced diet have humans return to their pre stone-age height return to their pre stone-age height return to their pre stone-age height although through the process of although through the process of although through the process of domesticating plants and animals we have domesticating plants and animals we have domesticating plants and animals we have inadvertently domesticated ourselves inadvertently domesticated ourselves inadvertently domesticated ourselves it's true we've lost our wild edge and it's true we've lost our wild edge and it's true we've lost our wild edge and the way you can tell the difference the way you can tell the difference the way you can tell the difference between a wild animal and a domesticated between a wild animal and a domesticated between a wild animal and a domesticated one is in the eyes go ahead compare one is in the eyes go ahead compare one is in the eyes go ahead compare images of dogs and wolves cats and images of dogs and wolves cats and images of dogs and wolves cats and tigers pigs and boars there's this weird tigers pigs and boars there's this weird tigers pigs and boars there's this weird sleepy doughy look that all domesticated sleepy doughy look that all domesticated sleepy doughy look that all domesticated animals get and no one's quite sure why animals get and no one's quite sure why animals get and no one's quite sure why now go look at chimps and humans for now go look at chimps and humans for now go look at chimps and humans for example remember that they're our example remember that they're our example remember that they're our closest genetic relatives and the only closest genetic relatives and the only closest genetic relatives and the only comparison we can make for this example

comparison we can make for this example comparison we can make for this example but you know there's some food for but you know there's some food for but you know there's some food for thought so with all of these thought so with all of these thought so with all of these developments settlements are looking a developments settlements are looking a developments settlements are looking a lot less like villages and more like lot less like villages and more like lot less like villages and more like towns and even small cities there's towns and even small cities there's towns and even small cities there's quite a few places we could start our quite a few places we could start our quite a few places we could start our history journey on but sometimes the history journey on but sometimes the history journey on but sometimes the traditional way works best so that said traditional way works best so that said traditional way works best so that said let's move out of anthropology land and let's move out of anthropology land and let's move out of anthropology land and begin our trip through time in Anatolia begin our trip through time in Anatolia begin our trip through time in Anatolia and Southwest Asia located here is the and Southwest Asia located here is the and Southwest Asia located here is the famous Neolithic site gobekli tepe beli famous Neolithic site gobekli tepe beli famous Neolithic site gobekli tepe beli hill in turkish and the oldest religious hill in turkish and the oldest religious hill in turkish and the oldest religious structure known to man who built this structure known to man who built this structure known to man who built this almost nine thousand year old structure almost nine thousand year old structure almost nine thousand year old structure why are the massive limestone walls why are the massive limestone walls why are the massive limestone walls adorned not with images of traditional adorned not with images of traditional adorned not with images of traditional cave painting animals like deer and oxen cave painting animals like deer and oxen cave painting animals like deer and oxen but scorpions snakes and even spiders it but scorpions snakes and even spiders it but scorpions snakes and even spiders it remains a mystery to those who study it remains a mystery to those who study it remains a mystery to those who study it although it's incredible evidence of an although it's incredible evidence of an although it's incredible evidence of an early and complex Neolithic Society early and complex Neolithic Society early and complex Neolithic Society staying close in Anatolia and southeast staying close in Anatolia and southeast staying close in Anatolia and southeast of Konya is the 32 acres site chital of Konya is the 32 acres site chital of Konya is the 32 acres site chital Hyuk still Neolithic but this time it's Hyuk still Neolithic but this time it's Hyuk still Neolithic but this time it's a village from around 8000 BC most a village from around 8000 BC most a village from around 8000 BC most famous for its city planning famous for its city planning famous for its city planning houses appeared to have been build so houses appeared to have been build so houses appeared to have been build so close to each other that people got close to each other that people got close to each other that people got around by walking on rooftop they also around by walking on rooftop they also around by walking on rooftop they also seemed to be really into a bold cult and seemed to be really into a bold cult and seemed to be really into a bold cult and buried their dead within the confines of buried their dead within the confines of buried their dead within the confines of the village like as in under people's the village like as in under people's the village like as in under people's houses not too much is known about this houses not too much is known about this houses not too much is known about this place but it seems to support a place but it seems to support a place but it seems to support a population of about 10,000 and must have

population of about 10,000 and must have population of about 10,000 and must have been an important trading destination been an important trading destination been an important trading destination these two locations are gaining a lot of these two locations are gaining a lot of these two locations are gaining a lot of ground in academic circles and the ground in academic circles and the ground in academic circles and the public consciousness offering a glimpse public consciousness offering a glimpse public consciousness offering a glimpse into a world that is even now seemingly into a world that is even now seemingly into a world that is even now seemingly unbelievable yet there is one city with unbelievable yet there is one city with unbelievable yet there is one city with Neolithic roots whose name is famous Neolithic roots whose name is famous Neolithic roots whose name is famous throughout the world a storied place throughout the world a storied place throughout the world a storied place whose famed walls repelled numerous whose famed walls repelled numerous whose famed walls repelled numerous invaders before collapsing under curious invaders before collapsing under curious invaders before collapsing under curious circumstances I'm referring of course to circumstances I'm referring of course to circumstances I'm referring of course to Jericho the biblical city was founded Jericho the biblical city was founded Jericho the biblical city was founded near a freshwater spring by them to to near a freshwater spring by them to to near a freshwater spring by them to to feein culture a semi sedentary people feein culture a semi sedentary people feein culture a semi sedentary people from the Levant from the Levant from the Levant the earliest dates put the founding at the earliest dates put the founding at the earliest dates put the founding at around 9600 BC and in 200 years Jericho around 9600 BC and in 200 years Jericho around 9600 BC and in 200 years Jericho had swelled to over a thousand people had swelled to over a thousand people had swelled to over a thousand people already complete with massive stone already complete with massive stone already complete with massive stone walls and towers defensive structures walls and towers defensive structures walls and towers defensive structures not seen in other Neolithic sites this not seen in other Neolithic sites this not seen in other Neolithic sites this level of safety and protection turned level of safety and protection turned level of safety and protection turned Jericho into a commercial powerhouse Jericho into a commercial powerhouse Jericho into a commercial powerhouse traders from all over came to exchange traders from all over came to exchange traders from all over came to exchange their goods and wares and no doubt ideas their goods and wares and no doubt ideas their goods and wares and no doubt ideas as well it was in a city like Jericho as well it was in a city like Jericho as well it was in a city like Jericho where another game-changing invention where another game-changing invention where another game-changing invention came about the wheel yes everyone has came about the wheel yes everyone has came about the wheel yes everyone has this notion of a grunting caveman this notion of a grunting caveman this notion of a grunting caveman standing in front of a big stone circle standing in front of a big stone circle standing in front of a big stone circle but in truth the wheel was invented but in truth the wheel was invented but in truth the wheel was invented rather late somewhere between 90 560 500 rather late somewhere between 90 560 500 rather late somewhere between 90 560 500 BC and would not have been used for BC and would not have been used for BC and would not have been used for transportation its first use would be as transportation its first use would be as transportation its first use would be as a potter's wheel drastically speeding up a potter's wheel drastically speeding up a potter's wheel drastically speeding up their work other inventions like the

their work other inventions like the their work other inventions like the loom the oven and the millstone would loom the oven and the millstone would loom the oven and the millstone would continue to ensure cities like Jericho continue to ensure cities like Jericho continue to ensure cities like Jericho grew and prospered grew and prospered grew and prospered all the success could attract unwanted all the success could attract unwanted all the success could attract unwanted visitors visitors visitors which is why walled cities like Jericho which is why walled cities like Jericho which is why walled cities like Jericho which knew the value of defense could be which knew the value of defense could be which knew the value of defense could be spared an invasion but other unprotected spared an invasion but other unprotected spared an invasion but other unprotected towns weren't so lucky towns weren't so lucky towns weren't so lucky those who survived Marauders are banned those who survived Marauders are banned those who survived Marauders are banned and weren't enslaved would be forced to and weren't enslaved would be forced to and weren't enslaved would be forced to flee and take their chances in foreign flee and take their chances in foreign flee and take their chances in foreign and unknown lands it would be one of and unknown lands it would be one of and unknown lands it would be one of those bands of people on the move those bands of people on the move those bands of people on the move who built a series of towns in a land who built a series of towns in a land who built a series of towns in a land between the two rivers to become one of between the two rivers to become one of between the two rivers to become one of history's oldest and greatest history's oldest and greatest history's oldest and greatest civilizations next time we join up with civilizations next time we join up with civilizations next time we join up with these people and try to make sense of these people and try to make sense of these people and try to make sense of why they chose to settle down in a muddy why they chose to settle down in a muddy why they chose to settle down in a muddy land where the weather was unpredictable land where the weather was unpredictable land where the weather was unpredictable the rivers could change their course at the rivers could change their course at the rivers could change their course at any time and a flood of biblical any time and a flood of biblical any time and a flood of biblical proportions was not out of the question proportions was not out of the question proportions was not out of the question it sounds great it sounds great it sounds great everyone needs a challenge now and then everyone needs a challenge now and then everyone needs a challenge now and then right yet in spite of the adversity right yet in spite of the adversity right yet in spite of the adversity these people tamed the land gave us the these people tamed the land gave us the these people tamed the land gave us the world's oldest epic where after they world's oldest epic where after they world's oldest epic where after they invented writing of course and built invented writing of course and built invented writing of course and built cities with magnificent ziggurat cities with magnificent ziggurat cities with magnificent ziggurat pyramids all in a region were the most pyramids all in a region were the most pyramids all in a region were the most abundant natural resource won't be abundant natural resource won't be abundant natural resource won't be valuable for another seven thousand valuable for another seven thousand valuable for another seven thousand years in their own language they are the years in their own language they are the years in their own language they are the unsung giga the black headed people to unsung giga the black headed people to unsung giga the black headed people to us they are the Sumerians and their time us they are the Sumerians and their time us they are the Sumerians and their time has come on the podcast history of our

has come on the podcast history of our has come on the podcast history of our world you you [Music]