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  • Ancestors

  • A Prehistory of Britain in Seven Burials
  • By: Alice Roberts
  • Narrated by: Alice Roberts
  • Length: 13 hrs and 48 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (806 ratings)
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Ancestors

By: Alice Roberts
Narrated by: Alice Roberts
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Summary

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.

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.

©2021 Alice Roberts (P)2021 Simon & Schuster UK
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History

Critic reviews

"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)

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Wonderful view of the past

It is now easy to understand why Alice is a Professor. To take so much information from ancient time and render it understandable, interesting and enjoyable is a monumental feat.
It was great, and I thank you for it. Kind regards.

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Brilliant and fascinating

Alice Roberts manages to balance respect for the intentions of early archaeologists while pointing out their failings and repeatedly holds back our natural inclinations towards romantic conjecture in this insightful study of some of the famous human inhumations, mostly in Britain. Informative and entertaining, I would definitely recommend and will be downloading another of her books next.

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Ancestors: Divining Life from Death

I really enjoyed this. Having Alice Roberts as the narrator was a bonus.
Hearing about chariot finds in the East Riding was very interesting as was the various animal bones in the caves around Helmsley.
If you like Professor Roberts on TV you'll probably enjoy this.

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Compelling, accessible and so very relevant

Loved this book, so fascinating yet easy to follow but deeply relevant to today's society.

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utterly brilliant as always.

as always Dr Roberts is superb. her enthusiasm is infectious & her ability to bring history to life is fascinating

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Love it

I’ll definitely listen to this again, I start lots of history books and find them hard to engage with. But I really like how This is written and is very easy to listen to. Finding out about different burial types is definitely my favourite subject in archeology. Really enjoyable

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Well researched story telling

Will definitely recommend to someone who are interested in human history through the explanation and discovery of human burial in the uk .

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Fascinating

This audiobook brings history vividly to life. It contains some gory descriptions, so be wary if you are squeamish! (like me!)

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Great stuff

Prof. Alice Roberts is always engaging and no more so than in this book. A different take on British history and well worth a listen.

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Brilliant

A beautifully read book. Telling the story of our place in this land. Great.

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6 people found this helpful