Book info

• Title Ancestors
• Author Alice Roberts
• Year 2021
• Genre Non-Fiction

We often think of Britain springing from nowhere with the arrival of the Romans. But in Ancestors, pre-eminent archaeologist, broadcaster and academic Professor Alice Roberts explores what we can learn about the very earliest Britons, from burial sites and by using new technology to analyse ancient DNA. Told through seven fascinating burial sites, this groundbreaking prehistory of Britain teaches us more about ourselves and our history: how people came and went and how we came to be on this island. It explores forgotten journeys and memories of migrations long ago, written into genes and preserved in the ground for thousands of years. This is a book about belonging: about walking in ancient places, in the footsteps of the ancestors. It explores our interconnected global ancestry, and the human experience that binds us all together. It’s about reaching back in time, to find ourselves, and our place in the world.

Thoughts

I’m a late convert to Alice Roberts but am becoming more and more of a fan the more I watch and consume. This book features stories from the past, not only in terms of the pre-history that is being uncovered, but also in terms of archaeology over the ages and how techniques and accountability has grown. It’s a fascinating look back over the history of the topic, with a backdrop of what we do and don’t know when digs turn up these ancient bones. Alice writes clearly and easily, and I love how open she is about where we have bias, where we have to be careful not to apply our modern sensabilities to things, and constantly warning us to try and keep an open mind. A great read.

Rating: 4 / 5