Before Us

Erich Fisher and Helen Farr
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Every living person can trace their ancestry back to Africa, where modern humans evolved some 300,000 years ago before expanding out of Africa and around the world. Those early humans lived lives filled with emotions and challenges much like people today and their journeys stand as a testament to human intelligence, ingenuity, creativity, and resilience. But, what does the archaeological record tell us about their lives, their successes, their failures, and who we are today? In this podcast, world-recognized experts in maritime and prehistoric archaeology, Dr. Helen Farr and Dr. Erich Fisher, reveal the people and the world that existed “Before Us.” This season, we take a deep dive into the origins and development of Maritime Adaptations, tracing humanity's journey from the earliest interests in aquatic resources to the global expansion of modern humans via oceans, coastlines, and waterways. As the old saying goes, “smooth seas make boring stories” and this season promises to be an auditory adventure around the world and across millennia as told through captivating interviews with leading scholars in fun and down-to-earth discussions. Tune in weekly for new episodes on your favorite podcast app. 

  1. Special Preview of Before Us Kids! Out for a stroll at White Sands

    18 JUN

    Special Preview of Before Us Kids! Out for a stroll at White Sands

    Send us a text Imagine taking a walk with Columbian mammoths, giant sloths, lions, sabre-tooth tigers, camels and loads of other animals? Sounds crazy, right! Yet it actually happened 20,000 years ago and in this episode Dr. Erich talk to Noah and Colton about some seriously cool discoveries at White Sands National Monument in New Mexico.  Want to learn more? Check out the Before Us Kids Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/c/BeforeUsKids) where we have bonus episodes that discuss the science behind the stories and other exclusive content such as the 10-part series A Totally Ridiculous, Mostly Serious, Always Awesome Guide to Surviving the Ice Age (but also Zombies and the Weirdness of Life in General). There’s even a place where kids can ask questions. It’s super cool.

    21 min
  2. Special Preview of Before Us Kids! Red-headed Neanderthals?

    9 JUN

    Special Preview of Before Us Kids! Red-headed Neanderthals?

    Send us a text In this hair-larious episode, Dr. Erich chats with Jake and Colton all about red hair, genetics, and some super cool things we might’ve gotten from our ancient cousins—the Neanderthals!  Want to learn more? Check out the Before Us Kids Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/c/BeforeUsKids) where we have bonus episodes that discuss the science behind the stories and other exclusive content such as the 10-part series A Totally Ridiculous, Mostly Serious, Always Awesome Guide to Surviving the Ice Age (but also Zombies and the Weirdness of Life in General). There’s even a place where kids can ask questions. It’s super cool.

    18 min
  3. Special Preview of Before Us Kids! Woolly Mice?

    2 JUN

    Special Preview of Before Us Kids! Woolly Mice?

    Send us a text In this episode, Dr. Erich and Colton dive into a wild idea—bringing back the woolly mammoth! How are scientists doing it? Believe it or not…some scientists think it starts with woolly mice!  Yep, you heard that right. WOOLLY MICE! Join us for a super fun and funny chat about some very fluffy science. You won’t want to miss this one!  Want to learn more? Check out the Before Us Kids Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/c/BeforeUsKids) where we have bonus episodes that discuss the science behind the stories and other exclusive content such as the 10-part series A Totally Ridiculous, Mostly Serious, Always Awesome Guide to Surviving the Ice Age (but also Zombies and the Weirdness of Life in General). There’s even a place where kids can ask questions. It’s super cool.

    18 min

  4. 22 APR

    Going with the Flow

    Send us a text There is unambiguous agreement that early humans had to cross open water when they traveled from Sundaland to Sahul before 40,000 years ago. How were they able to do this and would ocean winds and currents have helped or hindered their voyages? In this episode we talk to Kiki Kuijjer and Bob Marsh, both from the University of Southampton, about flow modeling that potentially reveals how humans may have been able to make their fantastical journeys.  Key People Robert Marsh Kiki Kuijjer Further Reading Kuijjer, E. Kiki, et al. "Changing Tidal Dynamics and the Role of the Marine Environment in the Maritime Migration to Sahul: Special Issue: The Impact of Upper Pleistocene Climatic and Environmental Change on Hominin Occupations and Landscape Use, Part 1." PaleoAnthropology 2022.1 (2022): 134-148.

    31 min

  5. 15 APR

    Water you waiting for?

    Send us a text Sea levels rise and fall in response to complex planetary drivers, including shifts in polar ice caps, land masses, and other factors. Understanding these processes is crucial for studying prehistory in deep time, including human migration from Sundaland to Sahul and the movement of people around the globe. In this episode, Justin Dix breaks down what drives sea level change, how scientists reconstruct past sea levels, and how these fluctuations have shaped human history.  Key People Justin Dix Key Places Bonaparte Gulf Key Concepts Gravity Earth Model (aka the lumpy potato) Further Reading Anthony Fogg, Justin Dix, Helen Farr. Late Pleistocene Palaeo Environment Reconstruction from 3D Seismic data, NW Australia.The ACROSS project - Australasian Research: Origins of Seafaring to Sahul.  Authorea. January 06, 2020.

    23 min

  6. 8 APR

    Helen talks the ACROSS Project

    Send us a text In this episode, we speak with Before Us co-host Helen Farr about her European Research Council project, Australasian Colonisation Research: Origins of Seafaring to Sahul—or simply, ACROSS. This ambitious project dives into oceanographic, geoscience, archaeological, and archaeogenetic data to figure out when and how people first made the journey to Sahul, what routes they might’ve taken, and just how long they were stuck in a boat. Spoiler: it wasn’t a weekend trip. These early voyages don’t just tell us about getting to Sahul—they also help us understand the bigger picture of how modern humans spread around the world. Think of it as the original travel blog...but with fewer selfies and more science.  Key People Helen Farr Key Places Bonaparte Gulf Key Projects ACROSS Project Further Reading Anthony Fogg, Justin Dix, Helen Farr. Late Pleistocene Palaeo Environment Reconstruction from 3D Seismic data, NW Australia.The ACROSS project - Australasian Research: Origins of Seafaring to Sahul.  Authorea. January 06, 2020.

    21 min

  7. 1 APR

    Hooked from the start

    Send us a text The rapid dispersal of modern humans across Wallacea to modern day Australia not only required boat technology for long-distance sea travel, but also knowledge about deep-sea fishing. In this episode, we talk to Sue O’Connor about the different routes that people may have taken across Wallacea in the Pleistocene and how the different kinds of islands on those routes may have influenced maritime resource use and the earliest evidence of pelagic fishing.  Key People Susan O'Connor - Australian National University Key Sites / Concepts Asitau Kuru / Jerimalai O'Connor, Sue, Ono, Rintaro, and Clarkson, Chris. Pelagic Fishing at 42,000 Years Before the Present and the Maritime Skills of Modern Humans.Science334,1117-1121(2011).DOI:10.1126/science.1207703 Kisar O’Connor, S., Mahirta, Kealy, S., Boulanger, C., Maloney, T., Hawkins, S., … Louys, J. (2018). Kisar and the Archaeology of Small Islands in the Wallacean Archipelago. The Journal of Island and Coastal Archaeology, 14(2), 198–225. https://doi.org/10.1080/15564894.2018.1443171  Laili  O’Connor, Sue, Ceri Shipton, and Shimona Kealy. "The southern route to Sahul: modern human dispersal and adaptation in the pleistocene." The Prehistory of Human Migration-Human Expansion, Resource Use, and Mortuary Practice in Maritime Asia. IntechOpen, 2023.  Shipton, C., Morley, M.W., Kealy, S. et al. Abrupt onset of intensive human occupation 44,000 years ago on the threshold of Sahul. Nat Commun 15, 4193 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-48395-x  Maritime Networks O’Connor, S., Kealy, S., Reepmeyer, C., Samper Carro, S. C., & Shipton, C. (2022). Terminal Pleistocene emergence of maritime interaction networks across Wallacea. World Archaeology, 54(2), 244–263. https://doi.org/10.1080/00438243.2023.2172072 Pleistocene female burial with fish hooks  O’Connor S, Mahirta, Samper Carro SC, et al. Fishing in life and death: Pleistocene fish-hooks from a burial context on Alor Island, Indonesia. Antiquity. 2017;91(360):1451-1468. doi:10.15184/aqy.2017.186

    38 min

  8. 25 MAR · BONUS

    Before Us+ Erich answers some of our fan mail

    Send us a text In this special bonus episode, Erich answers some of the fantastic questions that we've received from listeners around the world. If you want to send us your own questions about anything you've heard on Before Us, or just comment in general, please hit the "send us a text" button above every episode description. We would love to hear from you!

    20 min
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About

Every living person can trace their ancestry back to Africa, where modern humans evolved some 300,000 years ago before expanding out of Africa and around the world. Those early humans lived lives filled with emotions and challenges much like people today and their journeys stand as a testament to human intelligence, ingenuity, creativity, and resilience. But, what does the archaeological record tell us about their lives, their successes, their failures, and who we are today? In this podcast, world-recognized experts in maritime and prehistoric archaeology, Dr. Helen Farr and Dr. Erich Fisher, reveal the people and the world that existed “Before Us.” This season, we take a deep dive into the origins and development of Maritime Adaptations, tracing humanity's journey from the earliest interests in aquatic resources to the global expansion of modern humans via oceans, coastlines, and waterways. As the old saying goes, “smooth seas make boring stories” and this season promises to be an auditory adventure around the world and across millennia as told through captivating interviews with leading scholars in fun and down-to-earth discussions. Tune in weekly for new episodes on your favorite podcast app. 

Information

  • Creator
    Erich Fisher and Helen Farr
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Before Us
  • Show Website
    Before Us