Stories in Our DNA – Ep 2: Stories From the Ancient Past

Helen and Marek Kohn explore the deep connections between the earliest forms of human creativity, ancient cave art and the foundational elements of narrative. They dive into how this prehistoric art offers a window into our ancestors' minds, the crucial role of stone tool use in human adaptation, and the importance of cooperation and trust in the structure of early societies. They also consider the parallel emergence of language and imagination, and how these factors have been essential in shaping both human evolution and the future direction of storytelling.

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About Marek Kohn

Marek Kohn lives in Brighton and is a writer. The subjects of his books range from evolutionary theory to climate change, language, trust and moral panics around drug use; diversity, identity and how to live together better are themes running through them all. His most recent book, The Stories Old Towns Tell, has been shortlisted in the US for the 2026 Laura Shannon Prize in Contemporary European Studies, awarded to books that stimulate new ways of thinking about contemporary Europe. Marek co-runs Kupala Brighton, a project exploring what culture and tradition mean to Ukrainians in the UK today.

https://marekkohn.info/

https://kupalabrighton.org/

Download Your Series 2 Story Companion Kit here: Podcast season 2 - Helen Packham