The British History Podcast 78 – It’s Only Natural
Mar 4, 2013
The podcast explores the influence of nature on the development of regional cultures throughout history. Topics include the impact of the collapse of Roman civilization on the environment and communities in Britain, the consequences of environmental changes on culture and politics, the challenges faced by communities in a difficult natural environment, and how travel and nature influenced kingdom expansion and cultural development.
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Nature Reclaims Human Landscapes
- Nature persisted and reclaimed human-built landscapes rapidly once human maintenance ceased.
- The environment's return reshaped settlements and forced cultural adaptation across Britain.
536 CE Climatic Shock And Its Effects
- A massive dust cloud around 536 CE caused dim light and a decade of cold that damaged crops.
- This environmental shock likely contributed to social stress and political change in Britain.
Landscape Shapes Political Scale
- Reforestation and difficult terrain fractured travel and connectivity between settlements.
- Physical barriers favored small, locally organized communities over large centralized states.