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

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

From Words that Change Lives by Helen Packham

April 27, 2026 · 41 min · Season 2 · Episode 2

About this episode

Helen and Marek Kohn discuss the connections between ancient cave art and the evolution of storytelling and human society.

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. If you enjoyed this episode please like, subscribe, follow and review, it really helps me reach more people and help them harness the power of words and stories to change lives for the better! 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…

People in this episode

Host: Helen Packham

Guest: Marek Kohn

Topics covered

  • ancient cave art
  • human creativity
  • narrative
  • human evolution
  • storytelling
  • cooperation
  • trust

Keywords

  • cave art
  • human adaptation
  • language
  • imagination
  • early societies
  • narrative
  • evolution

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: The Stories Old Towns Tell

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