Mike Marshall

In this conversation, Mike Marshall, a science writer discussing Roman history, unveils surprising evidence that the withdrawal of the Romans from Britain wasn't as catastrophic as once thought; instead, it may have sparked a metalworking boom. Meanwhile, Sanjeev Gupta, an extraterrestrial geologist, shares thrilling insights from NASA's latest findings on Mars, suggesting signs of past microbial life. They also explore the fascinating link between weightlifting and gut health, revealing how exercise can boost beneficial bacteria in our microbiome.

Mike Marshall, a writer for New Scientist, discusses the groundbreaking sequencing of an ancient Egyptian genome, revealing genetic ties to Mesopotamia and insights into early Egyptian society. Alex Wilkins shares fascinating research on orcas gifting to humans, raising questions about their capacity for altruism. The conversation also explores the New Horizons spacecraft's innovative interstellar navigation, using stellar parallax to locate itself in the galaxy while introducing the newly discovered object, Atlas.