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Ancestors
- A Prehistory of Britain in Seven Burials
- Narrated by: Alice Roberts
- Length: 13 hrs and 48 mins
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Ancestors
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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.
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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)
What listeners say about Ancestors
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Jill Desborough
- 13-07-22
Interesting, detailed but occasionally annoying
Certainly a very interesting book, particularly for me with the bronze age burials onwards , with a lot of science , (some of which I found myself not paying full attention to.) The narration is breezy, though sometimes I felt I'd like a little less information on weather conditions as she worked , how she travelled, jolly asides and her own opinions.
The issue that jarred most was the very patronising and dismissive tone she sometimes used, particularly towards anyone dense enough to believe in an afterlife. Ironic given her career is largely based on burial practices through time and cultures that are self evidently proponents of belief systems. But then THEY didnt have benefit of science, bless them.
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15 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Sara
- 23-07-21
wonderful book
I loved listening to Alice read her book, with her enthusiasm and knowledge it made it so interesting and I learned so much about the past. I really recommend it.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Kati Marjut
- 22-07-23
Fascinating
Dr Alice Roberts is not only an anthropological archaeologist and historian, but also a brilliant storyteller. Guaranteed to present historical events and findings from the most interesting perspectives, she provides just enough detail to capture your interest without dragging on. Great listen in the evening whilst winding down for bed
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- cjs
- 10-06-24
Very interesting and told in an easy and enjoyable manner.
I wanted to be an archaeologist when I was young but it never happened and I just find Alice Robert’s work so interesting, whether in book or tv form.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- GC
- 18-09-24
Outstanding
Packed with a wealth of information. This is a book that will provoke thought of the past and who and where your ancestors originated. Certainly some historic venues worthy of visiting being wiser of the historical value.
I much admire Alice’s knowledge and delivery both on audio and television however I have to reduce the speed to 0.9 as there is much to digest and Alice’s enthusiasm tends to race ahead at speed that it is hard to fully absorb the fascinating content. 10 / 10
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Alan R
- 15-09-24
Absolutely first rate
Very informative and relatable study of multiple prehistoric burial sites.
I always enjoy the TV series, this was in a way even more immersive.
Highly recommended.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Ian David Williamson
- 30-04-24
Alice Roberts wrote and read this book!
Alice Roberts knows her subject intimately and consequently she reads her book exceptionally well: it is a pleasure to hear a book read so confidently, it sounds seamless.
For me an audio book hangs on the narration and, for me, this is one of the best, of hundreds, I have listened to. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Jill
- 03-02-23
Ancestors and ancestry
I have thoroughly enjoyed listening to Professor Alice Roberts reading her own book on the discovery and archaeology of human remains and how they were treated through the millennia. I have always enjoyed the way she explains things in layman’s terms in her tv programmes and this book is no exception. An enjoyable and thoroughly understandable listen.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- C
- 07-12-21
Brilliant!
Fascinating subject, brilliantly narrated by the author. I loved how it was very relevant to today. Highly recommended whether you are interested in history or not.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- alphabet
- 01-06-22
Fascinating
I loved every minute of this fascinating book and I learned such a lot from it. It’s a book which I own in both an audible as well as a hard copy and audible was a different experience - reinforcing what I had read and the images that I had looked at.
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