#1109 Stefanos Geroulanos: The Invention of Prehistory

Jun 12, 2025

Stefanos Geroulanos, Director of the Remarque Institute and NYU Professor, dives into the captivating world of prehistory and its implications for understanding human origins. He explores how concepts like 'savage' vs. 'civilization' shaped narratives during European colonization. The conversation touches on the evolution of Neanderthal identity and critiques the appropriation of historical figures in modern politics. Geroulanos also critiques eugenics and urges rethinking human nature beyond outdated ideologies, highlighting the need for a multidisciplinary approach.

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INSIGHT

Rousseau Sparks Prehistory Interest

Interest in prehistory developed gradually from the 18th century with key stages in the 1860s and post-war period.
Rousseau's idea that indigenous peoples were closer to original humans sparked competing theories about early humanity.

INSIGHT

Prehistory as Invention

Prehistory is termed an invention because much of what we know includes speculative details presented as fact.
Scientific study coexists with conjecture often portrayed without appropriate skepticism.

INSIGHT

Bias Shapes Past Theories

Theories of our past are shaped not only by evidence but also by how research goals and ideologies influence interpretations.
Grant writing and competitive scientific contexts embed assumptions and speculations.

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The Origin of the Family, Private Property and the State

Ernest Untermann

Friedrich Engels

In this work, Friedrich Engels delves into the interplay between familial structures, economic systems, and state formation. He argues that the oppression of women and the emergence of class society are historically linked to the production of a surplus and the division of society into classes. The book also discusses how the state arose as a tool to defend the ruling class. Engels bases his analysis on the research of anthropologist Lewis Henry Morgan and uses the method of historical materialism to explain these societal developments.

African genesis

Robert Ardrey

In 'African Genesis', Robert Ardrey posits that humans evolved from carnivorous, predatory ancestors on the African continent, challenging prevailing theories of human origins at the time. The book explores themes of human nature, territoriality, and the evolutionary roots of social behaviors. It was widely read and sparked significant controversy upon its release.

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David Graeber

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The Wealth of Nations

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Published in 1776, 'The Wealth of Nations' is Adam Smith's magnum opus that laid the groundwork for modern economics. The book critiques mercantilist economic theories and introduces the concept of the 'invisible hand,' which describes how individual self-interest leads to societal benefit. It emphasizes the division of labor, the accumulation of capital, and the importance of free markets. Smith argues that a nation's wealth is not measured by its gold and silver reserves but by the stream of goods and services it produces. The book also outlines the core functions of government, such as maintaining defense, enforcing civil law, and promoting education, while advocating for limited government intervention in market activities.

Outline of History

H. G. Wells

The Invention of Prehistory

Empire, Violence, and Our Obsession with Human Origins

Stefanos Geroulanos

In 'The Invention of Prehistory', Stefanos Geroulanos explores how the concept of prehistory has been shaped and used throughout history, particularly in the context of Western intellectual culture. He argues that ideas about prehistory have often served as ideological foundations for repressive regimes and empires, influencing modern science and imperialism. Geroulanos critiques the notion that understanding human origins is essential for defining our present and future.

On the Origin of Species

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Sapiens

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Dr. Stefanos Geroulanos is the Director of the Remarque Institute and a Professor of European Intellectual History at New York University. He usually writes about concepts that weave together modern understandings of time, the human, and the body. He is the author or co-author of several books, with the latest one being The Invention of Prehistory: Empire, Violence, and Our Obsession with Human Origins.

In this episode, we focus on The Invention of Prehistory. We start by talking about how people got interested in prehistory, what “invention” means in this case, what our understanding of the past is shaped by, and the example of the Neanderthals. We discuss European colonization, and concepts like “savage” and “civilization”; indigenous peoples and the first humans; “human nature” and political debates between socialists and capitalists; and eugenics and Nazism. We talk about the impact of popular books, like Yuval Harari’s Sapiens, and claims about how we should live our present lives. Finally, we discuss whether there is any problem with anthropologists studying our past.

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