This event has now ended, but you can still register to get the recording.
From the earliest human footprints preserved in mud to the modern-day movement of people across the globe, humanity has always been on the move. But what drove our ancestors to undertake such incredible journeys? And how has movement shaped our world as we know it today?
In his fascinating new book, ‘Footmarks: A journey into our restless past‘, archaeologist Jim Leary traces an extraordinary 3.5-million-year history of human movement. From ancient trackways worn down by countless feet to epic oceanic crossings, Jim reveals how our ancestors showed remarkable ingenuity and courage in their travels across continents and seas.
“Footmarks is not so much a destination but a journey, seeking equally to inform, educate and entertain, like an invigorating walk with a friend”, according to DV Founder and Co-CEO Brendon Wilkins, who recently reviewed the book for Antiquity magazine. Join him for a conversation with Jim about what inspired the book, behind-the-scenes stories from the writing process, and more about the fascinating journeys and research he describes.
In this live online talk, you will:
- Discover what inspired Jim to write ‘Footmarks‘
- Hear behind-the-scenes stories from the writing process
- Learn how new developments in science and archaeology are transforming our understanding of past human movement
- Explore how travel has historically been controlled by those in power
- Get insights into the remarkable journeys that have shaped human history
- Ask questions and engage in discussion with Jim and host Brendon Wilkins
About the author
Jim Leary is an archaeologist and Senior Lecturer at the University of York, specialising in prehistoric monuments and landscapes. He was formerly a prehistorian with English Heritage and 'Field Archaeologist in Residence' at the University of Cambridge. He has directed significant excavations across Britain, including Silbury Hill, the largest Neolithic monument in Europe, Marden Henge, a vast monument between Avebury and Stonehenge, and Cat's Brain timber hall and long barrow. A passionate walker, he is also fascinated by how people moved around in the past and the benefits studying past mobilities can bring to archaeology. He has edited two academic volumes on the subject and written a paper for the journal Antiquity.
