The modern world is defined by acceleration. But what if the most stable—and perhaps most human—version of ourselves existed long before civilization?

In this episode, we explore the world of the Cro-Magnon: anatomically modern humans who thrived in Ice Age Europe. For hundreds of generations, their way of life remained remarkably unchanged. What was it like to live in near-perfect evolutionary harmony with the environment?

Civilization ultimately emerged as a hedge against danger, especially for those with children to protect. But in exchange for safety and surplus, we surrendered something more elemental and spiritually sustaining.

This is the story of that trade-off—and of what we lost in the bargain. This is the story of a time before history began, when we were most human.

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