Hoof Beats: How Horses Shaped Human History with Archaeozoologist Dr. William Taylor

Welcome back to The Not Old Better Show, Smithsonian Associates series! Today, we’re galloping through time to uncover a story that’s larger than life, spanning continents, centuries, and civilizations—a story of how one magnificent animal changed the world. That’s right—today, we’re talking about horses.

Imagine the thundering hooves of a herd sweeping across the Eurasian steppes, the clash of chariots in ancient battles, the whispers of trade deals along the Silk Road, and the resilience of Indigenous cultures in the Americas. At the heart of these pivotal moments in human history is the humble yet extraordinary horse.

Our guest, Smithsonian Associate William Taylor, is no stranger to this epic tale. Dr. William Taylor will be presenting at Smithsonian Associates in full, coming up.  Check out our show notes today for more details about his upcoming presentation titled, “Horses Shaped Human History.”  But we have Dr. Willliam Taylor briefly here today to tell us about  being an archaeozoologist, assistant professor, and curator of archaeology at the University of Colorado Boulder. Smithsonian Associate Dr. William Taylor has spent his life piecing together the story of horses and humans—how they’ve partnered to shape history, from the first moments of domestication to the rise of global trade and even social inequality. Dr. Taylor’s groundbreaking new book, Hoof Beats: How Horses Shaped Human History, takes readers on a vivid journey through these remarkable intersections of biology, culture, and conquest.

But this isn’t just a history lesson. Smithsonian Associate Dr. William Taylor’s work draws on cutting-edge science—ancient DNA, archaeozoology—and Indigenous perspectives to rewrite what we thought we knew about horses. 

Dr. William Taylor will share stories of discoveries on the Mongolian steppes, the spread of mounted riders, and how horses remain vital to cultures around the globe.

So, whether you’ve ever ridden a horse or just admired them from afar, today’s episode will open your eyes to their deep connection to us. This isn’t just history—it’s humanity galloping forward, hoofbeats echoing through the ages.

I’m Paul Vogelzang, your host. Stay tuned—you won’t want to miss a single second of Smithsonian Associate, Dr. William Taylor here on The Not Old Better Show, Smithsonian Associates interview series on radio and podcast.

My thanks to Smithsonian Associate archaeozoologist, assistant professor, and curator of archaeology at the University of Colorado Boulder. Check out our show notes today for more details about his upcoming presentation titled, “Horses Shaped Human History.” My thanks to you, our wonderful audience here on radio and podcast.  My thanks to the Smithsonian team for all their help in our program, and to Sam Heninger and Miranda Heninger for all they do.  Happy New Year, be well, be safe, and Let’s Talk About Better.  The Not Old Better Show, Smithsonian Associates interview series on radio and podcast.  See you next time.