Professor Kate Pechenkina, an expert on bioarchaeology of East Asia, discusses how ancient DNA and stable isotope analysis can reveal insights about the lives of ordinary people in the distant past. Topics include artificial cranial deformation, trade networks, dietary choices, limitations of research, burial practices, disruptions on population health, and the emotional impact of studying ancient human remains.

Confucius, one of the most influential thinkers in history, is discussed. Topics include his beliefs and teachings, his significance and influence, views on self-governance, living correctly, judgment of virtues, impact on the aristocratic ages, and how he exemplifies the wisdom of other thinkers.

Explore the Spring and Autumn period in ancient China, where noble families vied for power in a time of political fragmentation and violence. Dive into the intellectual movements and social changes of the era, and learn about the rise and fall of the Shang Dynasty. Discover the cultural norms and competition among major states, and unravel the roots of violence and the birth of China's imperial system.

In this podcast, Professor Dennis Romano, an eminent historian of medieval and early modern Venice, discusses the rich history of the city. Topics covered include Venice as a trade hub, its layers of history visible in the modern city, major urban transformations, the unique political and economic structure, and the different mindsets and risk-taking behaviors of Venetians and Genoese merchants.

Professor Brian Lander, author of The King's Harvest, discusses the environmental history of early China. Topics include the impact of human activities on the natural world, interpreting evidence, views of the natural world in ancient China, correlation between environmental factors and human society outcomes, state power and societal development, treatment of people as disposable commodities, and a recommendation for Professor Lander's book.

The podcast discusses the rule and impact of the Zhou Dynasty in China, its profound influence on Chinese civilization, the establishment and structure of the Western Zhou state, and the downfall of the Joe rulers leading to the beginning of the Spring and Autumn period.

Explore the brutal world of the Shang Dynasty, with human sacrifices, shaman-kings, and loose alliances. Learn about the technological advancements and material evidence of the Shang Dynasty. Discover the grandeur and significance of the city of Anyang. Uncover the introduction of chariots and the late Shang capital of Yin. Dive into the worldview, power, and divination practices of the Shang Dynasty. Delve into the political and social aspects, including the fall of the Shang Dynasty and the rise of the Zhou Dynasty.

Explore the mysterious origins of the state in China, the significance of the Shang Dynasty, the development of states in Neolithic China, the rise of states in ancient China, the emergence of the state of Aerletou, ancient worldviews in early China, and the rise and fall of the Shang Dynasty.

Explore the languages spoken in Eurasia around 500 BC, including Proto-Germanic, Baltic, Finnic, Slavic, and Punic and their geographical significance. Discover the linguistic landscape of Eurasia during the Iron Age and the emergence of new languages. Delve into the linguistic changes influenced by the Scythians and the dominance of the Greek language. Learn about the linguistic history of China and the diverse languages present in China during that time.

Leading expert on urban formation in Etruria, Professor Simon Stoddart, discusses the process of urbanization during the Iron Age in the Mediterranean world. Topics include the construction and roles of cities, Etruscan tombs in Italy, cross-cultural perspectives on state formation, and the varying sizes of Etruscan cities due to peer-polity interaction.