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Ancestors

A Prehistory of Britain in Seven Burials

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Ancestors

By: Alice Roberts
Narrated by: Alice Roberts
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About this listen

 An extraordinary exploration of the ancestry of Britain through seven burial sites. By using new advances in genetics and taking us through important archaeological discoveries, Professor Alice Roberts helps us better understand life today.

‘This is a terrific, timely and transporting book - taking us heart, body and mind beyond history, to the fascinating truth of the prehistoric past and the present’ Bettany Hughes

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.

CRYPT, THE FINAL BOOK IN ALICE ROBERTS' BRILLIANT TRILOGY, IS OUT NOW.
©2021 Alice Roberts (P)2021 Simon & Schuster UK Archaeology Europe Great Britain England Discovery

Critic Reviews

'This is a book everyone should read. Roberts is the new Da Vinci, able to shift between science and humanities, the objective and subjective, the global and the individual. There is such a scope of knowledge between the covers of this book that you feel like a better and more knowledgeable person having read it. A mind-altering, life-altering book.' (Dr Janina Ramirez)
‘While the rest of us read words, Alice reads bones - and what stories they have to tell. In her hands they seem slick with life, bearing messages from ancient worlds. I was captivated.' (Neil Oliver)
'Another classic from Alice Roberts. She writes as a scholar with the intensity and flair of a novelist.' (Dan Snow)
‘Roberts is a prolific TV presenter, and Ancestors skilfully deploys the arts of screen storytelling: narrative pace, a sense of mysteries being unfolded. […] [It] is above all a tribute to the archaeological profession.’ (Dan Hitchens)

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Profile Image for S.Attenborough

Absolutely Excellent

Highly recommend and beautifully performed. Thank you Alice for my gaining of perspective into who went before and how the past is vitally important today.

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Profile Image for Helen Engstrom

Archaeology fascinating; politics not so much

The reports of recent archaeological discoveries are fascinating. So much is revealed by new scientific techniques and field work. So interesting, and the author reads her work well. What I didn’t realise however when buying the book is that a book about pre-history, history, and archaeology would include the political lectures about contemporary issues of gender and race that the author indulges in. It would be preferable if Professor Robert’s stuck with her own field of expertise, rather than using the platform archaeology gives her to expound her own views on current politics.

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Profile Image for Paul Hannah

Professor Roberts is amazing.

This is a marvelous book full of fascinating detail and insights into our predecessors, illuminating by looking at our past, what it is to be human. Do yourself a favour and listen to this book. Twice.

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Profile Image for Jim

Burial customs through time in Great Britain

A thorough if dry description of changing burial customs ,generally interesting and more or less scientific in nature .
I could have done without the personal opinions and ideas on Life , Death and life after same, Racism ,the Universe, revisionist history and not forgetting Religion at points throughout and at the end of this epic.

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Profile Image for Karen

Very informative book.

I have watched and enjoyed Alice Roberts TV documentaries. The way she narrated this book brought the scenes alive in her voice. Very enjoyable . Thankyou.

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Profile Image for Janet Susans

Fascinating

I love Alice Robert’s voice and this was an extremely interesting book. The author has brought the history of Britain to life.

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Great author, great read

Have recommended this to family and friends and I would happily read more of the authors work, well done!!

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Profile Image for LD

Fascinating

Alice Roberts is my favourite educator. Ancestors has added another building block to my knowledge and understanding- it just makes me want more. Thank you Professor

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Profile Image for Ross Palethorpe

Thought-provoking and engaging

I spread out listening to this as I didn't want it to end. Fascinating, thoughtful, and a very human perspective on what we can learn (and what we can't!) about the distant past.

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Interesting and insightful book.

I'm going to go and find another Alice Roberts book to listen to now. The human journey is a fascinating one.

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