Humans

What if everything you thought you knew about human history was only part of the story? Humans: Our Seven Million Year History offers an ambitious re-examination of our past on a truly global scale, integrating groundbreaking archaeological and scientific discoveries to present a nuanced and comprehensive narrative.

Traditional histories often paint human progress as a straightforward journey: from apes to Homo sapiens, small egalitarian groups to vast empires, and agrarian societies to industrial powerhouses. This linear narrative, echoed by 19th-century thinkers and popularized by contemporary historians, presents an oversimplified view of our past. But what if the story is far more intricate and less predictable? Humans extends beyond these conventional narratives to reveal the true complexities and diversities of human societies across time.

Humans is the first authoritative history to cover all continents and time periods, moving beyond the often Western-centric or Eastern-focused narratives to genuinely explore the entire human experience. From the slow, uneven process of the Agricultural Revolution to the multifaceted concept of the Urban Revolution, this book challenges the myths of rapid, universal shifts. It uncovers the coexistence and interbreeding of multiple human ancestors, shattering the idea of a singular Homo sapiens dominance. Advances in science, such as the study of ancient tooth plaque and sophisticated climate models, reveal detailed insights into the diets, diseases and environmental challenges our ancestors faced.

Gosden argues that ‘the commons’ – shared cultural and natural resources managed collectively – have been pivotal in sustaining human societies for millennia. He shows how modern issues like wealth inequality and environmental degradation stem directly from the erosion of these shared resources, with factors such as privatisation, industrialisation and unchecked economic growth corroding the commons and disrupting the balance of rights and responsibilities that once maintained societal harmony.

Combining rigorous research with compelling storytelling, Humans challenges us to reconsider what we think we know about human progress. Humans is a transformative journey through our collective history.