A history of natural history

On the banks of the River Tweed, where England meets Scotland, Norham Castle has stood watch over one of Britain’s most contested landscapes for centuries. But beyond the sieges, treaties and shifting borders lies a more human story. In this episode, Amy Matthews explores a world ...  Show more

Mills have towered over English landscapes since the medieval period. In this episode, Amy finds out how modern conservation and passionate people are working to keep windmills alive today. Sibsey Trader Windmill is a magnificently restored mill, now reopened to the public in Lin ...  Show more

When the British explored the Atlantic coast of America in the 1580s, their relations with indigenous peoples were structured by food. The newcomers, unable to sustain themselves through agriculture, relied on the local Algonquian people for resources. This led to tension, and th ...  Show more

The practice of growing plants in water rather than soil isn't new, though early examples are difficult to substantiate. In the 1930s, hydroponic plant culture made headlines, but the field also had conflict among researchers.

Research:

In 2009, Peruvian police officers held a press conference. For the past 30 years, an International Criminal Group has been killing individuals in the jungles of Peru, harvesting their fat, and selling it to top Cosmetic companies around the World. In today’s episode we dive into ...  Show more

The 1650s were the only years in history when Britain was a republic.  Charles I had been executed, the monarchy was abolished and the House of Lords dismissed.  But what came next? How could stability be restored when people disagreed over what they had been fi ...