ADHD BCE

George chats with Dr Andy Shuttleworth about their experiences at university and how neurodivergent students can struggle with academic snobbery, imposter syndrome and other learning differences. Following on from positive experiences through school, Andy followed an all too common path through academia; anxiety, stress and depression. Now outside the academic world, Andy has come to terms with hi...

In this reflective Season 2 finale, George steps back from individual episodes to take the long view—exploring what deep time can reveal about human variation, ancient nervous systems, migration, farming, adaptation, and the ever-changing ways societies define what is considered “normal.” From the evolutionary origins of our survival-focused nervous systems to the profound social rewiring brought...

Farming didn’t just change what we ate—it changed how we lived, thought, and experienced the world. In this episode, we explore the origins of agriculture from the Fertile Crescent and the Natufian transition, through early settlements in Anatolia like Boncuklu Höyük and Çatalhöyük, and the spread of farming into Europe with the Linearbandkeramik culture. Along the way, George ask a deeper questio...

In this episode, George is joined by Dr Andy Shuttleworth to explore human migration—or more accurately, dispersal. Humans move. We always have. Archaeology can often show us the push factors—climate change, pressure, survival—but the pull is harder to see. And yet, it’s hard to ignore the possibility of something deeper: an innate drive to explore. Together, George and Andy discuss: • Why movemen...

In this episode, George is joined by archaeologist and podcaster Matilda (Tilly) Siebrecht to explore what artefacts can really tell us about the human mind. These aren’t just ancient objects — they’re decisions, habits, and lived experiences. From tool use to decorative beads, George and Tilly discuss how material culture reveals: • How people thought and learned • The role of skill, repetition,...

In this episode, George is joined by archaeologist Professor Duncan Garrow to explore how archaeologists turn fragments of evidence into meaningful stories about the past. From soil layers to artefacts and landscapes, they discuss how we piece together human lives from what remains—and the creativity, curiosity, and pattern recognition that make this possible. The conversation also touches on how...

Welcome to Season 2 – Episode 1! In the first episode of Season 2, we explore one of the most fundamental questions in archaeology and human history: What is a human? Every person who has ever lived has experienced the world through a nervous system — a biological inheritance that long predates modern humans themselves. In this episode, we look at how the human nervous system evolved over millions...

In this short episode George introduces the return of ADHD BCE for season 2! This season explores how archaeologists infer behaviour, cognition, and difference from the archaeological record, and what that evidence can tell us about the evolution of the human nervous system. Across the season we’ll look at: • How material remains are used to reconstruct past lives • How the human nervous system ev...

Thanks everyone! ADHD BCE will be back in 2026 for season 2! Season 1 has been an absolute blast and I can’t thank enough the wonderful listeners who support the show, the amazing guests who have given this podcast real world data and invaluable insights, and of course thank you to Ash and the team at the Archaeology Podcast Network. It’s been a real privilege to host ADHD BCE and I can’t wait to...

In this episode George takes us inside our own nervous system. For hundreds of millions of years our ancestors have survived unimaginable challenges and these countless events shaped our evolution. To cope with the volatile climates we faced, our body’s evolved through survival and today we are carrying around the same software…and it’s all still trying to keep us alive. By learning to communicate...

In this special episode George is joined by neurodivergent writer and director Nicola Rose who talks about their brand new movie Magnetosphere, which centres around a young girl with synesthesia. Nicola was late diagnosed with adhd and during research for the movie, which included interviewing upwards of 70 individuals with various forms of synesthesia, they recalled their own childhood experience...

For millions of years humans have utilised their genius to survive and thrive in all sorts of challenging environments. From the first tools, weapons, fire, farming and science humanity has time and again overcome impossible odds with new solutions. As we have discussed many times on this show neurodiversity has been essential or at least involved in our collective survival. But what about the fut...

Theophrastus wrote a series of character descriptions in 3rd C BCE Athens. The Obtuse Man describes a fictional character based on Theophrastus' encounters with real Athenians and perfectly describes the distractible and often frustrating symptoms of ADHD. Dr Gina Musket of the University of Liverpool Classics department talks about 3rd/4th C Athens, Theophrastus and life in Ancient Greece. Music...

In this episode George is joined by neurodivergent academic and metal fan Dr Jeremy Swist who has identified adhd traits in ancient Roman Emperor Julian. Jeremy talks about his own experiences with adhd both at school and later as an academic and discusses ancient sources that both condone and condemn the emperor for being impulsive, distractible and thinking outside the box; including the seismic...

While the ancient neurodivergent mind behind microlith technology didn’t leave us a written record, they did leave behind a legacy of precision, adaptability, and cognitive brilliance: the microlith! In this episode, George dives into the origins and spread of microliths — tiny stone blades that sparked a revolution in human toolmaking. Through a blend of archaeology and imagination, we follow a f...

In episode 17 George ponders the possibility that infamous Viking leader of the Great Heathen Army, Ivar the Boneless was on the spectrum… Transcripts For rough transcripts head over to https://www.archaeologypodcastnetwork.com/adhdbce/17 Music Your Story by MusicbyAden | https://soundcloud.com/musicbyaden Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/ Creative Commons CC BY-SA 3.0 https...

In episode 16 George and Kathy chat about some glaring neurodivergent traits displayed by legendary Ancient Greek philosopher, Socrates. Ultimately murdered by the state for being, well, Socrates, this potentially ancient neurodivergent individual was famed for his eccentric social skills (or lack of) as well as for his unparalleled ability to see through absolutely anything anyone said or did. In...

In this episode George and Kathy discuss the infamous Cleopatra VII and whether her uncanny ability to navigate hostile political environments and think outside the box betray hitherto unrecognised neurodivergent traits? Transcripts For rough transcripts head over to https://www.archaeologypodcastnetwork.com/adhdbce/15 Music Your Story by MusicbyAden | https://soundcloud.com/musicbyaden Music prom...

In this episode George and Kathy explore the story of lesser known Celtic warlord Caratacus, who defied the Roman Empire for almost ten years. Displaying many neurodivergent traits, Caratacus thwarted countless Roman attempts to capture him until eventually being recognised and respected by emperor Claudius and the Senate. Who was Caratacus and could he have been neurodivergent? Music Your Story b...

In this episode, Dr Jessica Secmezsoy-Urquhart returns to talk about neurodivergence, differences and the history of institutional prejudice. Links ADHD BCE Music Your Story by MusicbyAden | https://soundcloud.com/musicbyaden Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/ Creative Commons CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ ArchPodNet APN Website: https://www.arc...

In this episode George talks to adhd specialist and psychotherapist Kathy Charlton about the legendary ‘father of history’ Herodotus and the many neurodivergent traits they displayed. Could Herodotus, the historian who delved deep into the cultures they wrote about have been driven by neurodivergent traits such as impulsivity and hyperfocus? Was history their special interest aka stone collecting?...

In this episode George talks to neurodivergent Historian Jessica Secmezsoy-Urquhart about their research in the fascinating area of neurodiverse jesters, fools and entertainers in renaissance Royal courts in England and Scotland. Links Jessica can be contacted as a PhD Historian at  jyesu@st-andrews.ac.uk  or Jessicasecmezsoy@outlook.com , online as JessicasuAKA@twitter/Jessicaakas@insta/Jessica S...

In this episode George ponders the possibility that neurodivergent people played a major role in ancient migrations. Through the medium of his imagination George tells the fictional story of a neurodivergent hunter who takes the first steps in the Americas to creatively explore the neurodivergent migration theory. Music Your Story by MusicbyAden | https://soundcloud.com/musicbyaden Music promoted...

In this episode George once again employs his imagination and tells the fictional story of a neurodivergent copper age miner who’s frustration with the inefficiency of traditional transportation of heavy loads leads to the invention of one of the most useful ancient innovations; the wheel. Transcripts For rough transcripts of this episode, go to: https://www.archpodnet.com/adhdbce/09 Music Your St...

In this episode George gets creative and tells a short story about a fictional neurodivergent artist in the upper palaeolithic, and discusses neurodiversity as an essential part of surviving challenging environments. Transcripts For rough transcripts of this episode, go to: https://www.archpodnet.com/adhdbce/08 Music Your Story by MusicbyAden | https://soundcloud.com/musicbyaden Music promoted by...