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With its origins dating back some 40,000 years, the small ivory sculpture known as ‘The Lion Man’ for its melding of human and animal forms is the oldest known image of a creature sprung from human imagination. Created for the exhibition ‘Living With Gods’ (2017-18) at the British Museum in London, this animation traces the fascinating archeological history of the iconic object, as well as what its preternatural character tells us about our prehistoric ancestors – and, indeed, humanity itself.
Video by BBC Radio 4 and The British Museum
Animator: Cribble
video
Rituals and celebrations
A beginner’s guide to a joyful Persian tradition of spring renewal and rebirth
3 minutes
video
Politics and government
How it looked to Afghan women to see the Taliban return to power
33 minutes
video
Metaphysics
Simple entities in universal harmony – Leibniz’s evocative perspective on reality
4 minutes
video
Biography and memoir
Passed over as the first Black astronaut, Ed Dwight carved out an impressive second act
13 minutes
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The ancient world
The six priestesses who kept the flame of ancient Rome alight at risk of death
5 minutes
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Engineering
A close-up look at electronic paper reveals its exquisite patterns – and limitations
9 minutes
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Architecture
West Africa was once an architectural laboratory. Is it time for a revival?
12 minutes
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Work
A Swedish expat in the Philippines wonders: what’s up with people sleeping at work?
14 minutes
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Biography and memoir
The unique life philosophy of Abdi, born in Somalia, living in the Netherlands
29 minutes