This spring, we’ll be posting 45-minute lectures from a class on archaeology and world prehistory. While the work of the institute is focused on the future, much of our research is informed by the past. This class will examine both the scientific underpinnings of archaeological research (i.e., how we know what we know about the past) and a number of case studies from ancient societies such as the Maya, Romans, Aztecs, Incas, Egyptians, and Mesopotamians. This information forms the basis of our plans for the future: how exactly did ancient societies succeed and fail when faced with changing environments, evolving agricultural practices, tumultuous social order, unpredictable economies, and unforseen disasters.
While this will be available on podcast apps (iTunes, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, Google Play), it will be under the title “Low Tech Lectures,” as it is distinct from the institute’s official podcast. More news on this in a few weeks when the lectures become available.