Located in the Northern Isles of Scotland, Orkney is a remote and wild environment. With over 5000 years of history, this small archipelago of islands is a treasure trove of ancient sites and secrets.

Today Tristan is joined by Archaeologist Dr Antonia Thomas to talk about the art in some of the incredible sites and excavations across Orkney. Touching on famous locations like Skara Brae, or the legendary tomb Maeshowe, what can neolithic art tell us about the lives of the people who lived there 5000 years ago?

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Neanderthals are stereotypically viewed as thoughtless savages - but is this an accurate depiction or was there more to Neanderthal society?

Discovered only 160 years ago what can they tell us about the Palaeolithic past? In this episode, Tristan is joined by archaeologist and author Rebecca Wragg Sykes to help dispel some of these myths. Using cutting edge technology and looking at recent discoveries, archaeologists are able to give a clearer picture of what Neanderthal life was actually like. With evidence of seafood in their diet, the advanced use of tools and managing to survive for 300,000 years - there's more to Neanderthal's than meets the eye.

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Queen Elizabeth II has died after 70 years on the British throne.

Born in April 1926, Elizabeth Windsor became heir apparent, aged 10, when her uncle Edward VIII abdicated and her father George VI became king.

In 1947 – She married navy lieutenant Philip Mountbatten, a Greek Prince, at London’s Westminster Abbey before being crowned there in 1953 in the world’s first televised coronation.

In this special episode of Dan Snow’s History Hit, Dan is joined by historian Kate Williams to look at The Queen’s childhood, adolescence in WWII and the upbringing that made her a monarch admired around the world.

Producer: Charlotte Long

Audio editor: Dougal Patmore

One of the most famous names in history - who is Tutankhamun? In 1922 Howard Carter discovered one the most intact ancient tombs in history, filled with 5,000 priceless artefacts from the boy-king's life. But is Howard Carter truly responsible for this momentous discovery? And what can we learn about Tutankhamun beyond his famous death mask?

In a special live episode from the Chalke Valley History Festival, Tristan is joined by Egyptologist and author Toby Wilkinson to talk about some of the most impressive finds from the tomb. With a variety of artefacts ranging from precious scarab beetles to Tutankhamun's personal trumpet - what can these wondrous objects tell us about life in Ancient Egypt?

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The Achaemenid Empire, or better known as the First Persian Empire, was one of the largest empires in History - led by Cyrus the Great it covered 2.1 million square miles. But where did it come from? And what do we know about their society? It was in their DNA to travel and explore - so why did the Persians settle on the Eurasian plateau?

Tristan is once again joined by Professor Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones from Cardiff University to talk about the rise of the Persians and how they fit into this turbulent period of ancient history. The first society to have worn trousers, the original cowboys, and some of the first peoples to domesticate animals - the rise of the Persian empire dramatically effected intercontinental relationships for years to come.

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Prosthetics - an artificial feature or body part commonly used to either help restore functions of lost limbs, or change a person's appearance. Today, advancements in technology mean prosthetics can sense touch and be controlled by the mind - a far cry from their origins in antiquity as ivory embellished arms or hair extensions made out of plant fibres.

In this episode, Tristan is joined by Dr Jane Draycott from University of Glasgow to talk about the brilliant uses of prosthetics in ancient societies, where the concept originated from, and how sources like Pliny the Elder and excavated wigs can tell us how their functions have changed across millennia.

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One of the largest archaeological sites in South America, located near Lake Titicaca in Western Bolivia - Tiwanaku is a brilliantly mysterious place. Believed to have been founded around 200BC, Tiwanaku is filled with monumental structures, mighty monoliths and incredible ceramics - but who built it? And why?

In the final episode of our Ancient Americas series, Tristan is joined by Dr Alexei Vranich to help shine a light on this spectacular site. With 20 tonne stones carried from miles away, across mountains and lakes - Tiwanaku is a site shrouded in mystery. Together Tristan and Alexei discuss this South American Stonehenge and try to understand how some simple reed rafts helped build this magnificent site.

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Known for their iconic ceramics and notable artwork - the Moche people flourished in ancient northern Peru. But who were the people behind the clay?

In this special bonus episode of our Ancient Americas series, Tristan is joined by Doctor Jeffrey Quilter from Harvard University to tell us more about this incredible society. Temples, tombs and treasure - what do we know from these sources about the Moche, and what can we still learn?

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One of the the earliest Mesoamerican civilisations discovered so far - Olmec influences are visible throughout history. But who were they? And what do we actually know about them?

In the third episode of our 'Ancient Americas' series, Tristan is joined by Professor Jillian Mollenhauer to help shed some light on this mysterious civilisation. Taking a look at their culture, legacy, and their iconic colossal statues - what can we learn from the archaeology, and why were the Olmec so influential?

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One of the oldest cities in history, and revered by religions across the world - what do we know about the origins of Jerusalem?

In this episode, Tristan is joined, once again, by Professor Jodi Magness to talk us through the origins of this important city. Looking at evidence from Egyptian New Kingdom texts, the Hebrew Bible and other surviving literary accounts - where does the archaeology align with these sources, and what can it tell us about Jerusalem that these fascinating sources are unable to?

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